Mrs. Leona Hutchinson Sellers died Tuesday, October 20, 2009. Mrs. Sellers was born November 19, 1910 in Appling County, to the late Lewis Wesley and Mary Carter Hutchinson. She was a member of Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church. Mrs. Sellers was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Marlow Sellers. Survivors include: 2 daughters, Vivian Sim and Gwenette Tammen both of Augusta; 2 sons, Sherrel D. Sellers of Pembroke and Randall M. Sellers of Baxley; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. from the Zion Baptist Church
Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers: Timothy Sellers, Danny Sellers, Scott Cooper, Glenn Sellers, Heath Sellers, Robert Perry.
Honorary Pallbearers: Joseph Faircloth, John J. Roberson, Jerald Sellers, Denzil Sellers, Ray Roberson, Meredith Lamb, Roe Sellers, and Delbert Lamb Minister: Rev. Tommy Daniels.
Visitation will be held Wednesday at Swain Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Lee Murphy
Lee Murphy, age 83, died Monday, October 12, 2009, in the Bacon County Hospital in Alma. He was born January 10, 1926 in Appling County, and had lived here most of his life. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Twin Oak Convalescent Center in Alma. He was a retired farmer and he was preceded in death by his wife Varnice Nix Murphy. He was the son of the late Ralph Murphy and Ella Floyd Murphy. He is survived by three sisters, Sara Nell Varnadore of Warner Robins, Dydre Watley of Waycross and Latrelle Maxwell of Waycross: three brothers, Hilton Murphy of Waycross, Milton Murphy of Warner Robins, and Lowell Murphy of Augusta: special friends Edsel and Jennie Moody and Stacy, Holly and Haley Igou all of Baxley. Funeral services were held Wednesday, October 14, at 3:00 P.M. in the Chapel of David E. Miles Funeral Home with Rev. David Eason officiating. Interment followed in the Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. Active Pallbearers were Mike Lamb, Orby Lamb, Micky Stone, Ryan Lamb, Edsel Moody and Stacey Igou. Honorary pallbearers were the staff of Twin Oaks Convalescent Center and all friends in attendance. Musical selections were rendered by Joann Switzer. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Vianna Howley
Vianna Howley, age 75, died Thursday, October 29, 2009 in the Appling County Health Care System. She was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and had resided in Largo, Florida before moving to Baxley, Georgia six years ago. She was a retired bookkeeper and was a member of Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Baxley, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Robert Carl Robinson and the late Edith Pulanski Robinson. She is survived by daughter, Sheryle Hammond, Houston, Texas; two daughters and son-in-laws, Dawn & Cliff Sowards, Clearwater, Florida; Annette and Jarvis Lynn, Baxley, Georgia; and two sons, Robert Hammond, Coon Rapids, Minnesota; and Mark Hammond, Clearwater, Florida; 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, October 31, 2009 in the Chapel of David E. Miles Funeral Home with Father Rafael Estrada officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Donald "Donnie" W. Norris
Donald "Donnie" W. Norris, age 59, passed away on Thursday, Oct 29, 2009 after an extended illness. He is survived by his wife Lynn of St. Simons Island; one son and daughter-in-law, Corey and Jessica Deal of Jacksonville, Florida; his mother Louise Norris, and sister Robbie Woods, of Savannah; and one brother, Mike Norris, of Baxley. A memorial service celebrating Donnie's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Noverber 7, at St. Simons United Methodist CHurch. The family will welcome friends after the service at a reception in the Thorpe Building behind the church.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Donnie Norris, be made to the St. Simons United Methodist Church, 624 Ocean BLvd., St. Simons Island, GA, 31522.
Doretha Lynn Deal
Doretha Lynn Deal, age 90, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2009 in the Bethany Nursing Center in Vidalia, GA. She was born November 14, 1918 in Glynn County, and had resided in Appling County, since 1935. In 1959, she and her husband, Darwin started the Farm Bureau Insurance Agency in Appling County. She served as secretary of the Appling County Farm Bureau for twenty two years. She was the oldest living member of Lake Chapel Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Darwin E. Deal and two brothers, Rudolph Lynn and Henry Carl Lynn, Jr. and her step-mother Hilda Franklin Lynn. She was the daughter of the late Henry Carl Lynn Sr. and Alma Stanfield Lynn. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Elaine and Roy Bass of Baxley, and Annette and Jimmy Carter of Hinesville,; three sons and daughters-in-law, Elwyn and Nancy Deal of Anderson, S. C., Lynn and Betty Deal of Reidsville, and Eldon and Pam Deal of Baxley; sister and brother-in-law, Cydelle and Don Winstead of Tampa Fl.; thirteen grandchildren; eight grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Lake Chapel Church with Elder Mickey Durden, Elder William H. "Bill" Durrence, Elwyn Deal and Jason Deal officiating.
Interment will follow in the Lake Chapel Church Cemetery.
The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Active pallbearers are David Martin, Greg Martin, Dennis Deal, Stacy Bass, Jason Bass, Ryan Deal and Jeff Horton.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Lake Chapel Church, c/o Karen Switzer, 158 Torrance Road, Baxley, Ga 31513.
David E. Miles Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Lydia Ann Lewis
Lydia Ann Lewis, 83, died Sunday.
Miss Lewis was of the Baptist faith.
She was employed as a Clerk for the Pepsi Cola Co.
Survivors: The Staff of the Pavilion.
Memorial service will be held at a later date.
Swain Funeral Home is in charge of Funeral Arrangements.
Amber Elizabeth Thomas
Amber Elizabeth Thomas was born December 1, 1988 in Ware County to the late Samuel Bart Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Morris Thomas. She was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church. Amber was a Sophomore at Georgia Southern College were previously honored Statewide award for Young Authors for 2 continuous years, Who's Who Students among Georgia's High Schools and honored among State Championship in Chess for several years. She was preceded in death by her Maternal grandfather, Willie L. "Bill" and Cousin, Devin Shaye Calhoun. Survivors are: Mother, Beth Morris Thomas of Blackshear; brother, Jeremy Thomas of Atlanta; Maternal grandmother, Ruby O. Morris of Surrency; Uncles and Aunts, Gerald L. and Sherri Morris, Michael R. Morris, James L. and Jonni Morris all of Surrency and Brenda D. Morris of Tallahassee, Florida. Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 4, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home.
Interment: Zion Church of God Cemetery
Minister: Rev. Mike Stone
Active Pallbearers: Daniel Morris, Daniel Sills, Dustin Morris, and Jeff Lyle
Visitation: will be Thursday, September 3, 2009 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Swain Funeral Home.
Family will assemble at the home Gerald and Sherri Morris, 12622 Blackshear Hwy. S.E., Surrency.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Reverend Raymond Yates Chauncey, Sr.
Reverend Raymond Yates Chauncey, Sr., 83, died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 in East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro (Bulloch Co). Bro. Chauncey was born March 4, 1926 in Duval County, FL to the late John McIntyre and Harriet Barlow Chauncey. He was a member of Zoar Baptist Church. Bro. Chauncey was ordained in 1944 at Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church. He preached his first sermon at Philippi Baptist Church in Baxley, and was educated at Brewton-Parker College, Mercer University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. In addition to being the first pastor at Dunn Memorial Baptist Church in Baxley, Bro. Chauncey pastored churches at Second Baptist Church in Tifton, Alamo Baptist Church, Anderson Drive Baptist Church in Jesup, State Chaplain in Reidsville, Ohoopee Baptist Church, Miles Chapel Baptist and Zoar Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Jowers Chauncey of Baxley; two daughters, Harriet McCoy and Betty Sauls, both of Baxley; one son, Raymond Chauncey, Jr., two sisters, Lois Thornton of Jesup and Rita Croom of DeBary, Florida; ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5 at Zoar Baptist Church with the Rev. Glynn Cranford, the Rev. Greg Rentz and Stephen Sauls officiating. Interment followed in Omega Cemetery in Appling County. Active pallbearers were James McCoy, Matthew McCoy, Stephen Sauls, Mark Sauls, Jake Sauls and Yates Chauncey. Musical selections were rendered by Roger and Sonja Cain, Johnny Vaughn and the congregation. Remembrances may be made to Zoar Baptist Church Bus Fund, 10170 Zoar Road, Baxley, GA 31513. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Violet Inez "Big Mama" Deen
Violet Inez "Big Mama" Deen, 92, died Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at her residence. Mrs. Deen was born August 26, 1917 in Montgomery County, GA to the late Swannie Kilgore and the late Ida Elizabeth Busby Kilgore. She was a member of Red Oak Baptist Church. Mrs. Deen was preceded in death by her husband, John Herbert Lamar Deen, Sr. and a son, John Herbert Lamar Deen, Jr. She is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law, Violet and Robert Williams, Norma Faye and Merrell Miles, Carolyn and Van Mills and Connie Deen, all of Baxley; one sister, Barbara Ann Holder of Vienna; one brother, Stanley Kilgore of Eastman; eight grandchildren, Constance Branch, Redonna Jackson, Jeannie Bagley, Ricky Williams, Rodney Williams, Victor Williams, Keith Miles and Van Mills, Jr.; in addition 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at Red Oak Baptist Church with the Revs. Robbie Gill, Dennie Waters and Ron Ross officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Active pallbearers were Rodney Williams, Ricky Williams, Victor Williams, Van Mills, Jr., Keith Miles, Kevin Williams and Joe Taylor. Honorary pallbearers were Adult Sunday School Class of Red Oak Baptist Church. Musical selections were rendered by Blake Williams, Pam Williams and Elaine Black. Remembrances may be made to Red Oak Baptist Church Building Fund, 4070 Red Oak Road, Baxley, GA 31513. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Carla Arnold Herrington
Carla Arnold Herrington, 60, entered into rest on February 4, 2010 under the care of Community Hospice of Vidalia (Toombs Co). Ms. Herrington is survived by her daughter, Casey Sherman and son-in-law, Jon Sherman and two grandsons, Drake and Dante Sherman, all of Atlanta; her sister Jeanna Collins and brother- in-law, Tyrone Collins of Clarksville, and her friend and soulmate, Ethel McFarland of Baxley. She will also be missed by dear friends, Abbie Johnson, Anita Mabry, Ellen Levinton, Jada and Clinton Smith and Camcam. She graduated from Appling County High School in the Class of 1967, studied Licensed Practical Nursing at South Georgia College, and received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from North Georgia College. As a registered nurse she worked for Dekalb Home Health, for Haven House Hospice of Atlanta, and as Director of Nursing at a long term care facility in Gainesville. She was a Hospice volunteer after retirement. An active Episcopalian in the Diocese of Georgia, she graduated from the University of the South Education for Ministry program, participated in Integrity Georgia, and was a member of Saint Thomas Aquinas Episcopal Church in Baxley. She was a member of the National Organization of Women on both the local and national levels. Service of Christian Burial will be Saturday, February 13, 2010, from Saint Thomas Aquinas Episcopal Church, 2093 Golden Isles Parkway West, Baxley, Georgia, at 11:00 in the morning, with The Reverend Dr. Elena Thompson OP and The Rev. Dr. James H. Clendinen presiding. Friends are invited to share reminiscences at the repast immediately following the service. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the local Humane Society.
