Judy (Swindell) Mitchum Surrency, 67, died Friday, March 26, 2010 in Appling HealthCare System. Mrs. Surrency was born Sept. 10, 1942 in Ludowici (Long Co.) and had resided in Appling County, for the past 29 years. She was a housewife. Judy was the daughter of the late Sam Jackson Swindell and the late Louise Barrow. She was preceded in death by two sons, Tony Mitchum and Robert Mitchum and a sister, Jannie Cannon. She is survived by her husband, Bobby Surrency of Baxley; one daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Lucky Quinn of Baxley; one son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Harriet Mitchum of Ludowici; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Fred Helmuth of Savannah; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Janet Swindell of Brunswick; one sister, Ruth Rogers of Cynthania, IN; and six grandchildren and two great- grandchildren also survive. Memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 29 in the chapel of David E. Miles Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Stillwell officiating. Musical selections were songs by Elvis Presley and included Amazing Grace, In the Garden and How Great Thou Art. Arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
William Keheley
William Keheley, 68, died Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Candler Hospital in Savannah, (Chatham Co, GA). Mr. Keheley was a native of Columbus and had resided in Carrolton until moving to Baxley three and a half years ago. He was a retired painter and had been employed by Specialty Painting before his retirement. William was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was the son of the late Walter and Grace Norsworth Keheley. William was preceded in death by a son, Michael Keheley and a daughter, Media Keheley. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Keheley of Baxley; two sons and daughters- in-law, Richard and Karen Keheley of Baxley, and Mark and Carolyn Keheley of Dallas; one brother, Thomas Keheley of West Richland, WA; five grandchildren, Joshua, Chris Matthew, Brandon and Kevin Keheley also survive. Memorial services were held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 1 in the chapel of David E. Miles Funeral Home with the Rev. Allen Carter officiating. Musical selections were rendered by Wendy Hipps and Stephanie Allen. Arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Alexander (Skacie) "Papa" Dasher, Sr.
Alexander (Skacie) "Papa" Dasher, Sr., died Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Appling HealthCare System. Mr. Dasher was born May 1, 1926 in Charlton County to the late Lonnie and Maybell Dasher. He began his early employment as an Industrial Forester for many years in Charlton County and later resumed his employment in Appling County, for Dixie Timber Company for 40 years. Following his retirement, he resumed self-employment as a Licensed Barber and a Transport Driver for the Department of Family and Children Services. Dasher was a member of First African Baptist Church for many years and later transitioned as a deacon for Crusaders for Christ Church under the leadership of his late wife, Marilyn Dasher. He also was a Mason. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Smith Dasher, a daughter, Eve Ryals, a son, Danny Dasher and two sisters and one brother. He is survived by his cherished wife, Naomi Hayes Dasher of Folkston; children, Betty Lee Dasher, Jean (William) White and Joyce Dasher, all of Folkston, Alexander, Jr. (Earnestine) Dasher, Willie (Stephanie) Dasher, Henry (Lucille) Dasher and Jeanette (Kenneth) Ogden; one daughter-in-law, Shirley Hood Dasher; two grandsons (he raised), Danny Leon (Gloria) Hood and Vernon (Greta) Dasher; two very special friends, Terry Evans and Lenny Crayton; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 3 from New Jerusalem Church, Overseer, Sarah Mims, pastor. The Rev. Kendall Bennamon presided over the service and Elder Norris Williams gave the eulogy. Interment followed in Old Fields Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Avery Ryals, Jr., Leon Hood, Jr., Terry Evans, Danny Miller, Henry Dasher and Stephfon Shaw. Honorary pallbearers were William White, Reginald Wright, Mike Dasher, Henry Lee Hood, Willie Dasher, Jr., Vernon Dasher, Jr. and Roosevelt Hood. Musical selections were rendered by soloists Carla James and Tammy Richburg and Greater Faith Temple C.O.G. and a combined choir. Arrangements were under the direction of Baxley Funeral Home.
Mary Ann Murphy Watson
Mary Ann Murphy Watson, 64, of Callahan, Florida, died March 28, 2010 at Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville, (Duval Co) Fla. She was born in Appling County, on Nov. 18, 1945 and was a homemaker. Mrs. Watson was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Sue Murphy, and was the daughter of the late Walter Murphy and the late Thelma Lillie Eason. She is survived by her husband, Richard Watson of Callahan, FL; sons, Robbie LeGare of Orlando, FL, Randy LeGare of Waycross, Jimmy LeGare of Jacksonville, FL, Justin Watson of Albany, and Jeff Watson of Birmingham, AL; one brother, Wayne Murphy of Orlando, FL and eight grandchildren also survive. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. April 1, in the chapel of David E. Miles Funeral Home, with the Rev. Wade Mask officiating. Interment followed in Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Anibal Caragena, Jr., Charles Troutt, Nathan Rodgers, Sr., Jeff Watson, Ronald Morgan and James Lightsey. Honorary pallbearers were Christon Lightsey, Ray Lightsey, Maxie Lightsey, Henry Lightsey, Ryan James, Rickey James and Henry Youngblood. Musical selections included "Peace in the Valley", "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove" and "Eastern Gate". Arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Ledlie Cecil Edwards, Sr.
Ledlie Cecil Edwards, Sr., died Sunday, March 28, 2010. Mr. Edwards was born May 22, 1922 to the late James Edwards, Sr. and the late Lula Gussie Edwards in Surrency. He was the youngest of 12 children, three sisters and eight brothers, which preceded him in death. He was joined in holy matrimony to the late Rosa Lee James Edwards and to this union six children were born. Deacon Edwards joined the United States Army Dec. 4, 1942. During his tour of duty he was honored and received three citations: World War II Victory medal, Good Conduct medal and the Asiatic Pacific Service medal with one bronze star. He worked most of his life as a carpenter and cement finisher, also a farmer. At the time of his passing, Deacon Edwards was a member of Thankful New Jersey Missionary Baptist Church, where he served faithfully as a choir member and on the deacon board until his health failed him. Deacon Edwards is survived by three daughters, Cinda (Russell) Taylor of Lyons, Rosa Marie Edwards of Jesup and Princetta Sumner of Atlanta; four sons, Dexter (Jacquetta) Edwards, Cecil Edwards and Kenneth Edwards, all of Baxley, and Jimmy L. Edwards of Buford; 11 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Gloria Jean (Stanford) Wilcox of Surrency, Prudence Roberts of Baxley, Verdie Mae Golden of Savannah and Ernestine (Hubert) West of Montezuma; four brothers-in-law, Hovis (Juanita) James of Baxley, Johnny (Veronica) James of Atlanta, Raiford (Vicki) James of Macon and Shellie (Estelle) Cash of Baxley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 3 from Thankful New Jersey Missionary Baptist Church, (Dr. Benjamin Virgil, pastor) with Minister Starlon Byrd officiating. Eulogy given by the Rev. Alfred Cason. Interment followed in Rachel Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Russell Taylor, Jr., Dwight Cash, Sr., Henry Alderman, Jimmy Edwards, Jr., Lorenza Cash, Jr., Marcus Hartwell, Pod Burgess, James Cash, Calvin Lee and Lee Mincey. Honorary pallbearers were Thankful New Jersey Baptist Church Deacons and Trustees, Hospice of Vidalia (Serenity), Concerted Services of Appling County, and Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin. Musical selections were rendered by soloists, Peggy Fletcher, Napoleon Bryant, Calvin Lee and choir rendered (His favorite song) "I Know I've Been Changed", including a musical tribute by his children and grandchildren. Arrangements were under the direction of Brown's Funeral Home.
Mary Lorene Miles Harper
Mary Lorene Miles Harper, 86, died Monday, March 29, 2010 in Appling HealthCare System. Mrs. Harper was born in Appling County, on Oct. 6, 1923 and had resided here all of her life. She was retired from the Western Auto store in Baxley, which Mrs. Harper and her husband, J.R. owned and operated for 41 years. She was a member of Miles Chapel Baptist Church. Mary was the daughter of the late Forrest Kennon and Ella Crosby Miles. Mrs. Harper was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, J. R. Harper of Baxley; two daughters, Shirley and husband, Robert Davis of Baxley, and Faye and husband, Weyman Allen of Baxley; one son, Johnny Harper and wife, Linda of Baxley; one sister, Eloise Aldridge of Alma; four grandchildren: Nan Marie Pedrick, Michele McGibony, Brad Harper and Alan Harper; seven great-grandchildren: Brandi Durham, Cody Durham, Blaine Harper, Sage Harper, Halee Harper and Skylar McGibony; one great-great-grandchild, Maddi Brannen; caregivers, Denise Hayes, Tammy Johns and Lynn Daniels and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, April 1 at Miles Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Daniel and the Rev. Doug Weisel officiating. Interment followed in Miles Family Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Danny Miles, Milton Miles, Donald Aldridge, Dr. Errol Graham, David Aldridge, Bobby Bullard and Wayne Graham. Musical selections were rendered by Betsy Weisel and Morgan Harper. Arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Patrick Vance Crozier
Patrick Vance Crozier, of Awendaw, S.C., husband of Lynda Bryant Crozier died January 2, 2010 in a local hospital. The relatives and friends of Patrick Crozier were invited to attend his funeral service in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel Monday, Jan. 4 at two-o'clock. Interment followed in Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens. Mr. Crozier was born April 4, 1944 in Miami, FL, son of the Willene Lewis Crozier and the late Vance Crozier. He retired from US Navy, Submarine Fleet as a Command Master Chief and served in Vietnam. He also retired from Mil-Com. Patrick loved Christ and his family. He had a passion for golf and boating. Surviving are his wife, Lynda Bryant Crozier of Awendaw, S.C.; mother, Willene Lewis Crozier of Brunswick; three daughters, Carla Sue Alford and her husband, Tim, Victoria Lynn Crozier, and Traci Lei Haberman and her husband, Richard, all of Summerville, S.C.; four sons, Randy Blake Lewis and his wife, Nancy of Ladson, S.C.; James Chadwick Lewis and his wife, Penny of North Charleston, S.C. and Bryant Chetley Lewis and his friend, Stephanie, of Charleston, S.C. and Charles Timothy Bryan of Austin, Texas; his sister, Belinda Gale Wells of Brunswick; brothers, Ray Crozier and his wife, Ginny, of Columbia, S.C., Stanley Crozier and his wife, Kathy of Atlanta, Mike Crozier and his wife, Maggie, of Atlanta; ten grandchildren, Teldon, Ryan, Brooke, Lexi, Alex, Hailey, James Jr., Seleste, Mason and Stormy; and two great-grandchildren, Adrian and Emma, mother-in-law, Eloise Earl of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; two brother- in-laws, James Larry Bryant, of McClellanville, S.C. and Hal Kenneth Bryant of Marion, S.C.; and two sisters-in-laws, Carolyn Thomas and Donna Evans, both of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Arrangements were under the direction of J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. in South Carolina.
Wathena M. Reese Moore
Wathena M. Reese Moore, 89, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 in the Appling HealthCare System. Ms. Moore was born in Sikeston, Missouri, on March 11, 1920. She was a retired seamstress and was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Hazlehurst. Wathena was the daughter of the late John Reese and the late Eva G. Dreibelbis Reese. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Moore. She is survived by five sons, David and wife, Fleda Moore of Hazlehurst, Michael and wife, Barbara Moore of Baxley, George and wife, Nancy Moore of Peotone, IL, Jimmy and wife, Mary of Crest Hill, IL and Charles and wife, Nicky Moore of Baxley; one daughter-in-law, Charlotte Moore of Lodi, CA; three sisters, Betty Wham of Carbondale, IL, Casey Zanzuchi of Joliet, IL and Kathy Castel of Fort Worth, TX; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6 at Friendship Congregational Christian Church with the Rev. Barry Teutsch and Dr. Ben Glossen officiating. Interment followed in Friendship Congregational Christian Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were James Godfrey, Pete Samples, Jon Moore, Jamie Williams, Braxton Simmons, Danny Sikes and Christopher Moore. Musical selections were rendered by Vickie Dyal, Theresa Deen, Alene Thomas, Mike Cleland, Bill Mincey, Danny Sikes and James Godfrey. Arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.
Archie Bruce Courson
Archie Bruce Courson, 31, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. Mr. Courson was a native and lifelong resident of Appling County, and was born Jan. 27, 1978. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church and a member of the Altamaha Fire Department. He is survived by his son, Ryan Courson; mother and father, Claudia and William Courson; one brother and sister-in-law, Robby and Susan Courson; one niece, Hannah Courson; one nephew, Will Courson; and fianc , Gwen Spell and son, Nicholas Spell, all of Baxley. Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10 from the chapel of Swain Funeral Home with the Revs. Ben Defore and Mike Brown officiating. Interment followed in Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Monroe Crosby, Jason Sellers, Josh Hutchinson, William Griffin, Michael Butler, Jared Griffin, Keith Hilton and Brandon Williamson. Honorary pallbearers were Altamaha Fire Department, Appling County Rescue Unit, Claxton Poultry, Justin Anderson, Jeffrey Langlois, Dave Sellers, Chris Griffin and Malcolm Evans. Musical selections were rendered by Floyd Hunter and Debra Youmans. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, Archie Courson Memorial Fund, c/o Lake Carter, 584 Cattle Gap Lane, Baxley, GA 31513. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
(NOTE: Mr. Courson drowned in the river. Article: Tragic accident occurs on the Altamaha by Jamie Gardner - On Tuesday, Jan. 5, law enforcement officials and rescue personnel responded to a call to Deen's Landing on the Altamaha River. Family members of Gwen Spell, 34, and Archie Courson, 32, both of Baxley, contacted the Appling County Sheriff's Department when they became concerned about the whereabouts of the couple and found their vehicle and boat trailer unoccupied at the river landing late in the afternoon Tuesday. Between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the couple set out on the river in a boat to go duck hunting. At some point during the hunting trip, the boat carrying Spell and Courson capsized. Rescue personnel searched the river for hours on Tuesday evening for the couple and were able to find Spell, who was clutching to a tree stump. Spell was taken to Appling HealthCare for treatment of hypothermia. The search for Courson continued and was later halted for safety reasons. The search resumed at daylight on Wednesday and at approximately 9:30 a.m. the body of Courson was recovered. The Appling County Sheriff's Department, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Appling County EMA and EMS personnel, officials from Toombs County and local residents assisted in the search.)
Jack Davis, Sr.
Jack Davis, Sr., 85, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. Mr. Davis was born Dec. 16, 1924 in Appling County, to the late Lawson Davis and the late Addie Nora Braddy Davis. He was a retired farmer. Davis was preceded in death by two brothers, Elvin and Herman Davis and two sisters, Sybil Loughren and Lavada Carter. He is survived by his wife, Marie Boyd Davis of Baxley; two daughters and sons- in-law, Vivian and Robert Duvall and Helen Marie and John Stone, all of Baxley; one son and daughter-in-law, Jack, Jr. and Guynell Davis of Baxley; one sister, Virginia Craven; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 8 from the chapel of Swain Funeral Home with the Revs. J. E. Blanton and Tommy Daniels officiating. Interment followed in Riverside Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Ronald Davis, Stanley Davis, Jerry Davis, Ricky Davis, Jimmy W. Davis and Kevin Duvall. Honorary pallbearers were all friends in attendance. Musical selections were rendered by Karen Davis, Ashton Davis, Caitlin Davis and Betty Copeland. Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
