All Obituaries

Roy Lee “Buzz” Highlander, 90, of Metter died Wednesday morning, July 8, 2020 at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro. Born in Orange, Virginia, he was a son of Mervin Highlander and Alma James Highlander.  Mr. Highlander was a member of Grace and Truth Church of Metter and was a retired security law enforcement officer.  He was a veteran of the United States Marin Corps, having served in the Korean War.  Mr. Highlander loved his pastor, George Rhodes, and loved...

Ernie Lee Ritchie, 62 recently of Metter, GA passed away Saturday, July 4th, 2020 at his residence surrounded by his loving family and beloved dogs Barnum and Bailey.  He was the son of Ernest and Prudence Ritchie, born and raised in Michigan City, Indiana.   Ernie earned his B.S. and master’s degree in Performing Arts from Indiana University.  While at IU he was a participating member of the Singing Hoosiers.  He would later join R.S.V.P. and travel the world...

William “Gary” Thigpen, 67, of Charleston, South Carolina and of Cobbtown, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2020 at Roper Hospice Cottage in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina surrounded by his family. Born in Wheeler County, Georgia, he was a son of William Walter Thigpen and Laura Lawrence Thigpen.  He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Vietnam War.  Gary was a graduate of Georgia Southern College, now Georgia Southern University, where he...

Elizabeth Ann (Poelmann) Phillips, 95, was called home to her heavenly Father, Wednesday , July 1, 2020.  She passed away peacefully under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice, her loving daughter Kathleen Daughtry and caregiver Lulu Busby of Nightengale’s Home Health. Elizabeth met the love of her life, our father, Lester Paul Phillips while serving in the Marine Corp (WWII) at Paris Island, S.C. They both served proudly. Mom told the Hospice Army Chaplin who came to visit” I...

Crystal Jewel Rhodes Odom, 38, of Metter, died Monday evening, June 29, 2020 at Candler County Hospital in Metter. Crystal was born in Savannah and traveled and lived all over the world before moving back to Metter several years ago.  She was a pure soul full of bright light and was always a shoulder to lean on.  She was an amazing mother who selflessly dedicated her life to her husband and children.  She loved photography, decorating, and wonderfully expressed herself...

Gary Lynn Hayes, 64, of Bumpass, Virginia and formerly of Collins, Georgia, passed away Saturday, June 27, 2020 in Waynesville, North Carolina. Gary was born in Miami, Florida, and lived most of his life in Collins.  He was a son of Talmadge Hayes and Lois Pope Hayes and worked as a construction specialist at North Anna Power Station in Virginia.  He was a veteran of the United States Army, having entered the service at age 17, and was a paratrooper.  He loved to ride Harley...

Christine Nace, 79, of Cobbtown and widow of R. G. Nace, died early Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at Grace Gardens in Metter. Mrs. Nace was born in Cobbtown and was the daughter of Barney and Vera Dell Sikes.  She lived in both Florida and Pennsylvania for a number of years before returning to Cobbtown several years ago.  Mrs. Nace was a homemaker and a home shopper, having had a loved for shopping off of the QVC channel.  She was a world traveler, however, the place she loved the...

Clayton “Willis” Sikes, 68, of Collins died Monday afternoon, June 15, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. Born in Cobbtown, he was a son of Clayton and Annie Lanigan Sikes.  Mr. Sikes was a member of the Cobbtown Baptist Church.  He owned and operated Hagan Stockyard and was the owner of Dixie Livestock.  Mr. Sikes was a member of the Georgia Live Stock Association and he loved to go to equipment and livestock sales where he enjoyed socializing...

Merita “Rita” Lynn Lewis, 85, wife of the late Eugene “Gene” Lewis, died late Saturday, June 13, 2020 at the Oaks at Pooler. Mrs. Lewis born in Collins and moved to Savannah after her marriage to Eugene “Gene” Lewis.  The couple lived in Savannah for several years.  Rita and Gene moved to Brunswick in the 1970’s for her work with Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph, now Southern Bell and moved back to the area after their...

Thomas N. Moore, 70, of Metter, passed away on June 12, 2020 at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. Born in Savannah, he was the son of Harold and Evelyn Simmons Moore. He lived in Metter and was a member of New Life Baptist Church. Tommy was a proud veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Vietnam War. He never missed a veterans memorial event.  He retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad after thirty years.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was gifted at leathercraft and...