George "Carvy" Snell, III

George C. ‘Carvy’ Snell, III, 70, died Friday, March 12, 2021, at Memorial Health in Savannah following an extended illness.

A prominent businessman in the Candler County community for many years, Carvy was best known as the owner and publisher of Metter Advertiser, the community newspaper he purchased and operated with his mother, Virginia Bird Snell, from 1977 until her death in 1995.  As editor and publisher of the newspaper, Carvy covered the news and events of his community and was often seen throughout town with his iconic camera around his neck. In 2010, he purchased Metter Graphics and Shirtback Grafix. He operated his multiple businesses under the umbrella of Snell Publications Inc.

Carvy’s first love was his family, and his favorite activity was anything that involved his wife of 47 years, Susan Sasser Snell, with whom he shared a special bond, his son Steven and his wife Brandy and their sons, Hudson and Harrison. He was most often found on the family farm, fishing with his grandchildren, driving the tractor and taking part in family cookouts. Carvy was a self-described BBQ connoisseur and sought out exceptional hole-in-the-wall restaurants. He and Susan enjoyed traveling, especially to the North Georgia mountains and to the beach. Much of their travel centered around son Steven’s travel ball when he was younger and then college baseball at Georgia Southwestern University. Carvy and Susan would turn weekend ballgames into road trips. That love of sports transferred to their grandsons, and Carvy and Susan would watch them play baseball and whatever sport they were in. He loved gardening, watching the cooking channel and trying new recipes.

Carvy was a true Metter son, graduating from Metter High School in 1968. He was a lifelong community supporter of Metter and Candler County and was often affectionately referred to as “Mr. Metter.”  His greatest community achievement was Another Bloomin’ Festival. In 1992, Carvy saw a need to promote his hometown and help draw business to the downtown retailers. He envisioned a fun-filled day with special promotions throughout town. He and a committee of local businessmen and women established Metter’s TownWide Flea Market and Auction. This event was successful, but Carvy felt that the community needed more. Two years later, in 1994, Carvy chaired the steering committee of Metter’s first Another Bloomin’ Festival on Easter weekend. The event has grown to be what is now a premier regional springtime celebration with more than 200 vendors and over 15,000 in attendance. Carvy retired from the festival committee after its 25th year, but continued to support the event in many ways, including an annual festival publication in the newspaper. Carvy served as publisher of the Candler County Community Magazine for the past nine years.

As an avid supporter of the local school system, Carvy was also instrumental in the formation of Candler County’s Foundation for Public Education. He was a charter member of the organization and served as treasurer for several years. Today the Foundation continues to support educational opportunities for countless youth in the local school system, providing field trip funding, learning tools and other resources for classrooms and school organizations.

Carvy was a member of the Metter Jaycees, working with the haunted house, which gained regional popularity, and being involved in the construction of the Jaycee Playground on Daniel Street. He was also instrumental in the acquisition of the property on which the Metter-Candler Recreation Department now sits. He served on the recreation board and was a charter member of Willow Lake Golf Club. For his contributions to his community, he was named Candler County Citizen of the Year in 2008. He received the 2020 Volunteer of the Year Award from Metter-Candler Chamber of Commerce. In 2013, Metter Advertiser was honored as the Chamber’s first Business of the Year, and the award has since been called The Metter Advertiser Business of the Year Award.

In 2000, Carvy was installed as president of Georgia Press Association and served as a GPA ambassador to Cuba.  He served as past chairman of Metter-Candler Chamber of Commerce and Metter Athletic Boosters and served on the Candler County Industrial Development Authority. He was an active member of Metter Rotary Club and was a lifelong member of Metter United Methodist Church.

Most importantly, Carvy was an unsung hero for the community, working behind the scenes with government agencies and businesses to resolve conflicts whenever possible. His goal was always to resolve community conflict, never to sensationalize it. Carvy almost always spent his lunch break at work with the “lunch bunch.”

Surviving are his wife, Susan Sasser Snell; his son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Brandy Snell; two grandchildren, Hudson Snell and Harrison Snell; his brother, Bird Snell; a sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Kevin Johnson; his sister- and brother-in-law, Sharon and Tommie Kingery, all of Metter; his brothers-in-law, Dean Sasser of Rincon and Mark Holland of Augusta, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 14, 2021, at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter beginning at 5 p.m.

The graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021, at Lake Cemetery with Rev. Allen Cason officiating.

Pallbearers will be Dale Fordham, Brian Tootle, Dustin Durden, Riley Kingery, Hunter Johnson and Jed Johnson. 

Honorary pallbearers will be employees of Metter Advertiser and Metter Graphics and Ed Boyd, Pernal Franklin, Larry Bowen, Butch Lane, Tommy Purser, Randy Wind, Robert Williams, Dubose Porter, Bill Rogers, Jack Daniel, Joe Franklin, and Danny Kennedy. 

Remembrances can be made to the Candler County Hospital Foundation, PO Box 597, Metter GA 30439; Candler County Foundation for Public Education, PO Box 21, Metter GA 30439; or Metter United Methodist Church, PO Box 595, Metter GA 30439.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter is in charge of arrangements.

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