Obituaries
Local Obituaries
Mary Louise Bird Lanier
Oct 1, 2025
Mary Louise Bird Lanier, age 89, of Metter, Georgia, passed away on October 1, 2025 at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro.
She was born in Candler County to the late George Walter Bird, Sr. and Mary Lou Hattaway Bird. Louise was a 1953 honor graduate of Metter High School. She graduated from Georgia Southern College, now Georgia Southern University. She was...
Anthony Donald Smith (Tony)
Sep 19, 2025
Anthony Donald Smith (Tony), 58, of Collins Ga was born June 1, 1967, to the late Donald B Smith and Linda Faye Dunn Collins. Tony retired from Roger's State Prison, Canning plant, where he worked for 29 years.
He was an avid fisherman, hunter and Turkey Guide. He coined the screen name "Swampthang" on the Outdoor channel, Chasin' Beards and Bones....
Wilder Scott Moody
Sep 17, 2025
Our sweet baby, Wilder Scott Moody, was born into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Georgia. Although Wilder’s time with us was brief, he will forever be cherished and loved.
Wilder leaves behind his loving parents, Vincent and Lyanna Moody, and his three big brothers, Oliver, Paxton, and Tatum. He is also deeply...
Deborah "Machelle" Lynn
Sep 8, 2025
Deborah “Machelle” Lynn, age 59, of Collins, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2025 in the care of Community Hospice in Vidalia.
Machelle was born on October 5, 1965, and was a daughter of Clifton Palmer and Hilda Oliver Palmer. A lifelong resident of Collins, Machelle worked for Environmental Wood Products as a cabinet builder for many years. She enjoyed playing...
Martha Rushing
Sep 6, 2025
Martha Helen Rushing, 92, passed away peacefully Saturday evening, September 6, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Statesboro, GA, under the home care of Ogeechee Area Hospice.
She was born in Metter, GA, to the late John Matthew Miles and Bertha Mae Prosser. Martha lived in Pulaski, GA, where she and her late husband, Carrol Brooks Rushing, farmed. Martha retired from...
William H. “Bill” Lanier
Sep 4, 2025
William H. “Bill” Lanier, 66, of Bainbridge, passed away Thursday, September 4, 2025.
The funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Bethany Baptist Church with Rev. Warren Fox officiating. A graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Rosemary Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery (Metter) with Elder Craig Lanier officiating. John Parker, Justin Lanier,...
Leila Mae Maricle
Aug 20, 2025
Leila Mae Maricle, of Centreville, VA, passed away on August 20, 2025.
Leila was born in Metter, GA, and was the daughter of Tracie Webster and Bill Maricle. Leila grew up in Statesboro and Jesup, GA. She attended Wayne County High School and York Tech. She worked as a Vet Tech at the time of her passing. Leila loved motorcycles and...
Joan Donahue Baugh
Aug 16, 2025
Joan Donahue Baugh, of Metter, passed away early Saturday morning, August 16, 2025 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah.
Joan was born on May 27, 1958, and was a daughter of Danny Donahue and Betty Moseley Donahue. She was a homemaker and was of the Christian faith. Joan loved traveling and spending time with Andy, kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,...
Debbie H Collum
Aug 10, 2025
Debbie H. Collum,82, passed early Sunday, August 10, 2025, at The Gardens Senior Living in Statesboro.
Mrs. Collum was born on February 15, 1943, and was the daughter of Lonnie and Alef Speares Holloway. She was married to Charles Collum for 55 years and raised two sons, Mark and Andrew. Graduating from the Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, she worked...
Lucille Woods Sikes
Aug 9, 2025
Lucille Woods Sikes, of Collins, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, August 9, 2025, at Oxley Park Health and Rehabilitation.
Mrs. Sikes was born in Metter and lived most of her life in Collins. She was a daughter of the late Henry Woods and Belle Saturday Woods. On September 26, 1947, she married Edward “Buddy” Sikes, and they shared 67 loving...
Donnie Jo Lanigan
Aug 6, 2025
Donnie Jo Lanigan, 90, of Metter, Georgia passed away in Vidalia, Georgia on August 6, 2025, after a brief illness.
She was a lifelong resident of Candler County and the daughter of the late Don Rivenbark and Eliza Jo Mercer Rivenbark.
After graduating from Metter High School, she went to work for the Excelsior Electric Membership Corporation until her retirement after 40...
Krista Beasley
Aug 3, 2025
Krista Dawn Beasley, age 53, of Twin City, GA, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, GA, following a brief illness.
Mrs. Beasley was born on September 16, 1971, in Bulloch County, GA, to the late Bunnie Williford. She devoted her life to caring for others, spending many years as a nurse and...
Louie Jarriel
Jul 31, 2025
Louie Allen Jarriel, 69, of Collins, passed away on July 31,2025, after a brief illness.
Louie was born on October 2, 1955, to Jason and Eleanor Jarriel in Reidsville. He was named after Dr. Louis Jelks.
Louie graduated from Reidsville High School and later attended Swainsboro Tech. He moved to Atlanta and attended Railroad School. In 1976 he joined the Navy and...
Kathryn "Kathy" Coleman Andrew
Jul 29, 2025
In Loving Memory of Kathryn (Kathy) Diane Coleman Andrew, 73, of Metter, GA who passed away on Tuesday, July 29th after a courageous two-and-a-half-year battle with kidney disease and recently lung cancer. She faced each day with quiet strength, dignity and unwavering resilience.
Born on January 28, 1952, Kathy was known for her warm heart, thoughtful nature and the deep love...
Penny Ann Parker
Jul 24, 2025
Penny Ann Parker, 65, of Metter, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Penny was born November 22, 1959 in Metter, GA to the late L.O. and Margaret Parker. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Richard "Dicky" Parker, sister, Pegi Parker Dannelly., and nephew, Rob Paker.
Penny graduated from Pinewood Christian Academy. Penny was a University of Georgia Football fan...
Joyce E Vaughn
Jul 12, 2025
Joyce E. Vaughn, 92, passed away peacefully at Azalea Health and Rehabilitation Center in Metter, Georgia on July 12, 2025, with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband James Bruce Vaughn, her son, James Bruce Vaughn, Jr. and daughter Pamela Sue Mood.
She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Rountree (Alden), grandchildren, Charles Rountree (Katelyn),...
Edna Kemp Brinson
Jul 12, 2025
Edna Kemp Brinson
Edna Kemp Brinson, of Metter, Georgia, and widow of Charles Brinson, passed away at her residence.
Born in Emanuel County, Edna moved to Metter with her family at a young age. She graduated from Metter High School in 1962 and was the daughter of Kid Kemp and Annie Mae Douglas Kemp.
Edna married Charles Brinson, and together they lived in...
Laura Rocker
Jul 8, 2025
Laura Meadows Rocker, 79, peacefully passed away on the morning of Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at her residence in Statesboro, GA.
Born and raised in Washington, GA, she was the youngest of three children born to the late Susie Callaway Meadows and T. Austin Meadows, Sr. After graduating from high school, Laura attended The Woman’s College of Georgia in Milledgeville. On...
Mary Joyce Durden Hendrix
Jul 5, 2025
Mary Joyce Durden Hendrix Obituary
A lifelong resident of Tattnall County, Mary Joyce Durden Hendrix, 91, passed away at her residence in Cobbtown on July 5, 2025 due to complications from a recent heart attack.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester Eason Durden and Luvenia Youmans Durden, a sister, Nannie Lou Durden Collins (Gladston), brothers Tom Durden (Lucille Canute...
Isabel Ward Sego
Jul 2, 2025
Isabel Ward Sego went to her heavenly home July 2, 2025. She passed peacefully at home under the care of her daughter, Gail, with assistance from Ogeechee Hospice. She was 89.Born and raised in Metter, GA, to John Lee Ward and Evelyn Donaldson Ward, she was the first-born of 6 children. Isabel spent her early years on the family farm...
