All Obituaries

Sharon Franks Smith, 52, of Portal and wife of Harold Eugene Smith died early Sunday, January 20, 2019. Born in Okeechobee, Florida, she was a daughter of Dennis and Helen Franks.  Mrs. Smith was of the Pentecostal faith and was a homemaker and retired barber.  Sharon loved music and for many years sang in a band.  Sharon was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Grant Franks Moore. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Smith was survived by her daughter, Sylvia Moore Rosselle...

Sidney Charles Lanier of Metter died peacefully, Thursday, January 17, 2019 at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  Charles was born on July 25, 1936 in Candler County to Sidney “Reginald” and Mildred (Bird) Lanier.  Charles grew up on the family farm in the Union Community.  Charles attended Metter First Baptist Church and later attended Rosemary Primitive Baptist Church.  He graduated from Metter High...

James Buie “Jimmy” Leverett, Jr., 62, of Metter died Wednesday evening, January 16, 2019 at Grace Gardens. Jimmy was born and lived all his life in Metter and was a member of the Metter Primitive Baptist Church. He was a 1974 graduate of Metter High School and loved sports.  During his high school years, he was a member of the Metter Tiger Basketball Team as well as the Metter Tiger Baseball Team or as others called them at the time, the “Blue Goose Team”. He...

William Otto Vincent, Jr. of Metter, died Saturday, January 5, 2019 at his residence. Born in Bryan County he was a son of William Otto Vincent, Sr. and Linda Vincent.  He was a member of Grace and Truth House of Worship.  He like to draw and was very artistic and loved people.  William also loved to fish. The memorial service was held 3 o’clock Sunday, January 6, 2019 at Grace and Truth House of Worship. Surviving are his daughter, Amber Morris of Statesboro; three...

Robert Newton Priest, 70, of Metter and formerly of Kingston, New York, died Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Memorial Medical University Medical Center in Savannah. Born in Kingston, New York he was a son of Robert and Alicia Priest.  Mr. Priest retired from the City of Kingston as Deputy Fire Chief in 1998 having worked there for twenty-one years.  He began his career with the Fire Department as dispatcher and worked his way up to the position of Deputy Fire Chief.  Mr....

Joe Sylvan Minchew, born August 21, 1936, was known by many names throughout his 82 years; Son, Brother, Nephew, Cousin, Friend, Uncle, Husband, Stepfather, Father, Granddaddy and ultimately Papa Joe by the most recent generation.  After declining health and a short critical illness, Joe passed away peacefully early in the morning of December 28, 2018 at the Augusta University Medical Center. The eldest son of Tommie and Sadie Minchew, Joe was born and lived his youth in Manor Georgia,...

Shelia Kay Cardell, 63, formerly of Griffin, GA, died early Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Pleasant View Nursing Center in Metter, GA. Born in Griffin on December 16, 1955, she was a daughter of the late Augustus and Edna Cardell. Ms. Cardell had a love for nature and her family. She was an avid fisherman and enjoyed playing cards immensely, especially if she was winning.  Ms. Cardell was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Deborah Phillips & Joe Eady; and nephew,...

Betty Marilyn Herron, 88, of Metter and formerly of Lakeland Florida, died Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Cedar Plantation Assisted Living in Metter. Born in Akron, Ohio, she was a daughter of John and Julia Jacob.  Mrs. Herron was a member of Wesley Southern Methodist Church in Rome and was a retired caregiver having worked at Northwest Georgia Regional Medical Center in Rome, GA.  She loved dinning with friends and family as well as movies and shopping. Mrs. Herron’s...

James Archie Knight, 84, husband of Janice Knight, died Wednesday, December 19, 2018 under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice. Born in Bulloch County, he was a son of Fred and Bessie Knight and lived in Jacksonville, Florida for many years.  He was retired from National Hardware having worked as a purchasing agent there.   A private service will be held at a later date. Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.    

Billy Gene Powell, 60, son of Aaron and Nora Wilds Powell, died Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Ridgeland Nursing Center in Ridgeland, South Carolina.  Born in Dayton Beach, Florida Mr. Powell was the son of Aaron and Nora Wilds Powell.  He was a member of Grace Hill Baptist Church.  Even though he could not speak, Billy had his way of expressing himself and letting folks know what he wanted. In addition to his father, Mr. Powell was preceded in death by his brother, James...