Swain Funeral Home

Virginia Nichols Sanders, age 87, of St. Simons Island passed away on January 3, 2026. Mrs. Sanders was born October 30, 1938 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Frank Nichols and the late Elise McCrary Nichols. She married James Lewis Sanders in 1961 and graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. While at UGA, she was an officer of Chi Omega Sorority and the Atlanta Debutant Club. She went on to teach school in both the Atlanta and Fulton County School Systems. Mrs. Sanders and her husband moved to St. Simons Island in 1978 but continued to be avid and lifelong Georgia Bulldawg fans. She was first employed by Frederica Academy and...

Juanita Williams, age 75, of Baxley passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at her residence. Mrs. Williams was born May 24, 1948 in Seneca, South Carolina to the late Arthur Andrew Unbehant and the late Minnie Evelyn Whitfield Unbehant. She was a nurse at Meadows Regional Hospital and was the owner & operator of Williams Quilt Shop. Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Lee Williams, and a brother, Arthur Guy Unbehant. She is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Keith) Brown of Eastman; sons, Greg Williams, and Michael (Jennifer) Williams both of Baxley; sisters, Mary (Lloyd) York of Toccoa, Florene (Diego) Schaefer of Marietta and Nancy (Keith) Kimsey of Cornelia;...

Margaret Clements Sellers, age 71, of Baxley passed away Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick. Mrs. Sellers was born January 19, 1952 in Wayne County to the late Clifford Tillman Clements and the late Emma Delma Akins Clements. She was a member of Melton's Chapel Church and was a retired Business Manager with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Mrs. Sellers was preceded in death by her husband, David Leon Sellers. Survivors include her son, Brandon (Melissa) Sellers of Statesboro; brother, Howell (Martha) Clements of Odum; grandchildren, Braeden Sellers and Mason Sellers of Statesboro; sisters-in-law, Wilene Kight of Baxley and Sheri (Micah)...

Margaret Clements Sellers, age 71, of Baxley passed away Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick. Mrs. Sellers was born January 19, 1952 in Wayne County to the late Clifford Tillman Clements and the late Emma Delma Akins Clements. She was a member of Melton's Chapel Church and was a retired Business Manager with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Mrs. Sellers was preceded in death by her husband, David Leon Sellers. Survivors include her son, Brandon (Melissa) Sellers of Statesboro; brother, Howell (Martha) Clements of Odum; grandchildren, Braeden Sellers and Mason Sellers of Statesboro; sisters-in-law, Wilene Kight of Baxley and Sheri (Micah)...

Russell E. O'Neal, Jr., age 70, of Baxley, Georgia passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2023. He was born October 4, 1953, in Carrollton, Georgia. He graduated from Mt. Zion High School in 1971 and later became an employee of Southern Company and Southern Nuclear where he had numerous positions and retired after 43 years of service. He was most proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved to go to the beach, lake, and all sports involving his grandchildren and taking pictures of them which will forever be cherished. After his retirement from Southern Nuclear, he began wood-working and furniture making as a hobby. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his mother:...

Russell Irvin Ebel, age 96, of Baxley passed away Sunday, May 14, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Ebel was born August 5, 1926 in Belleville, Illinois to the late Louis Edward Ebel and the late Viola Hueting Ebel Sporleder. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Ebel and sister, Doris Toth. Mr. Ebel was a veteran of the United States Army having served in World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Baxley and was a retired teacher with the Appling County Board of Education. He was involved in the Royal Ambassador program for over 50 years and a baseball coach and children's day camp. He was a member of the Appling County Retired Educators and the...

Billy Neil Cannon, age 79, of Bloomingdale and formerly of Baxley, passed away Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Baptist Village in Waycross. Mr. Cannon was born October 10, 1943 in Bacon County to the late Alvin Sweat Cannon and the late Mary Avis Griffin Cannon. He was a 1961 graduate of Appling County High School and a retired truck driver for Brown Transport. Survivors include his daughter, Kim O'Steen of Alma and a granddaughter, Mary Kate O'Steen of Evans. A private interment was in Omega Cemetery, Friday, April 28, 2023. Swain Funeral Home.

William Edsel Bullard, age 91, passed away peacefully at 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Bacon County Hospital. Mr. Bullard was born in a farmhouse in Appling County on November 9, 1931, delivered by a midwife, to Willie Gary Bullard and Maggie Patterson Bullard. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 68 years, Kathleen Bowen Bullard; brothers, Jimmy, Kenneth, and Carroll; and sisters, Eris and Laura Ethel. Mr. Bullard was a retired ironworker with Local Union 597 Jacksonville and a master mason since 1962 Scottish Rite and member of the Shriner's. He was also a proud member of Red Oak Baptist Church. Survivors include his daughter, Sheila (Joe) Murphy of Ponte Vedra...

Eileen Doris Eavens, 91, of Baxley died Monday, March 20, 2023. Mrs. Eavens was born on August 18, 1931 in North Bergen, NJ to the late William Seidel and the late Sophie Schlehner Seidel. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Michael Eavens; daughter, Gail Eavens; and a brother, William Seidel. Mrs. Eavens was a retired bookkeeper with the Agriculture Department of the State of Connecticut. Survivors include her daughter, Susan Eavens of Bennettsville, SC; sons, Brian Eavens of Baxley and Michael Eavens (Linda) of Prospect, CT; six grandchildren, John, Daniel, Derek, Faith, Jeffrey, Zachary and Steven; five great grandchildren; and a special caregiver, Chastity Whitfield....

Misty Lynn (Martin) Chouinard, age 49, of Baxley passed away Thursday, March 9, 2023. Misty was born on July 19, 1973 in Decatur. Misty was preceded in death by her father, Charles Wayne Martin. Survivors include her mother, Linda Martin of Baxley; her brother, Chuck (Angela) Martin of Baxley; her niece, Dana Martin; and nephew; Dalton Martin. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 11:00 am from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home with Rev. Tommy Daniels and Rev. Brad Park officiating. Interment will follow in Appling Memorial Gardens. SWAIN FUNERAL HOME www.swainfuneralhomebaxley.com

Jeanette Herndon, age 75, of Baxley passed away Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Emory-St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta. Ms. Herndon was born on June 4, 1947 in Baxley to the late Joseph Ernest Herndon, Jr. & the late Sara Nell Bass Herndon. She worked in financial services for Primerica Financial Services Mutual Funds and Insurance Company. She was a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church and was a member of the National and Appling County Republican Party. She loved donating her time to events like Relay for Life, Meals on Wheels, Big Brother & Sister programs. She was preceded in death by a sister, Sue Davis. Survivors include her sons, David (Karen) Hunter of Meansville and...

Eric Sloan Pitts, age 50, of Baxley passed away Monday, February 27, 2023. Mr. Pitts was born on September 25, 1972 in Appling County. He was a pipefitter with Local 188 Savannah. Mr. Pitts was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Carolyn Pitts, and nephew, Stephen Justin Hollis. Survivors include his daughter, Kesley Jade Pitts of Baxley; son, Jake Sloan (Madison) Pitts of Baxley; father, Floyd Lee Pitts, Sr. of Baxley; sisters, Tracey Ann Pitts Callaway of Baxley and Tina Lee Pitts of Baxley; brother, Floyd Lee Pitts, Jr. of Baxley; nephew, Preston Lee Hollis of Baxley, and two grandchildren, Jaxson Sloan Pitts and Liam Jehu Pitts both of Baxley. A graveside service will be held...

Willis Lamar Hartley, age 83, died Friday, July 29, 2022. Mr. Hartley was born August 10, 1938 in Baxley, Georgia to the late Daniel Harvey Hartley and the late Mattie Estelle Gordon Hartley. He was a retired welder with Ferber Sheet Metal and a lifetime member of VFW 7909 Auxiliary. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Amy Goosby, and a son-in-law, Kenneth Miller. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Frankie Hildebrand Hartley; daughters, Connie Hartley and Valarie (Gary) Cannon. Seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren also survive. Funeral services: Monday, August 1, 2:00 p.m., Baxley Church of God Interment: Zion Church of God Cemetery www.swainfuneralhomebaxley.com

Paul Murel Tanner, age 62, of Lecanto, FL, died Thursday, June 30, 2022. Mr. Tanner was born June 30, 1960 in Alma and was a lineman with Service Electric. He was preceded in death by his father, James Harold Tanner and a son, Anthony Tanner. Mr. Tanner is survived by his companion, Harleen Wagner of Lecanto, FL; daughter & son-in-law, Jennifer & Willie Russell of Lumber City, GA, son, Scottie & Miranda Tanner of Surrency, GA; step-children Terry & Steven Bull, Melissa Danback and Larry Danback all of Homossa, FL; mother, Elizabeth Jeanette Carter of Jesup, GA; sister & brother-in-law, Teresa Marie & Alan Grimsley of Locust Grove, GA; brothers, James H. Tanner of...

Beatrice Dowling Crosby Jones, age 100, of Macon died Saturday, April 2, 2022. Mrs. Jones was born July 13, 1921 in Hoboken, Georgia to Wiley Lazarus Dowling and Cordelia Thomas Dowling. She was a retired clerk for Fickling & Walker and was a member of Vineville Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Edwin Abraham Crosby and William Timothy Jones. Survivors include her sons, Lamar (Shannon) Crosby of Marietta, Glenn Crosby of Palmer, TN, and Wiley (Diane) Crosby of Forsyth; five grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren, and a large extended family. A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Vineville Baptist Church in Macon with...

Wilton Baxley, age 93, left us February10, 2022. Survivors include his daughters, Marlyn Phillips of Monroe, Marian Spears of Baxley and Marsha Massey of Decatur; within that family is eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren; sisters, Hazel McFadden of Union, KY and Shirley Lamb of Baxley; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral: Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at Spring Branch Baptist Church with interment will follow in Carter Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation: Saturday, 6-8pm, at Swain Funeral Home 1632 Hatch Pkwy N Baxley, GA.

Samuel Bryant Turner, Sr., age 78, of Hazlehurst died Tuesday, February 2, 2022 in Dublin. Mr. Turner was born December 30, 1943 in Fulton County to the late Charles Turner and the late Ruth Tweedy Turner. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served in the Vietnam War, and was retired from Glazer Local Union 1940. Survivors include his wife, Patsy Turner of Hazlehurst; sons, Sam Turner, Jr. of Morrow and David Turner of Statesboro; and grandchildren, Justin, Ashley, Avery, Dawson, Zachary, & Aria. www.swainfuneralhomebaxley.com

Dr. Garland Leon Martin, age 70, of Waycross died Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross. Dr. Martin was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, October 25, 1951. He enlisted, served and was honorably discharged as a proud member of the United States Marine Corps, Vietnam Veteran.He graduated from the University of Arkansas- Little Rock upon his return from Vietnam. Dr. Martin graduated with a degree in Chemistry. Later in life his interest in Medicine led him to Ross University where he earned a Medical Degree. He completed his Residency at Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee, specializing in Internal Medicine. Dr. Martin has practiced in Georgia as an...

Dell Keith McGowan, age 65, of Surrency passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Oceanside Nursing Home in Tybee Island. Mr. McGowan was born October 4, 1956 in Savannah, Georgia to the late Douglas Fairbanks McGowan and the late Emily Hazel Tillman McGowan Thomann. Mr. McGowan was a retired Building Contractor. Survivors include his son & daughter-in-law, Ryan & Katrina McGowan of Savannah; brothers, Douglas F. McGowan of Glen Saint Mary, FL, Clifton D. McGowan and Timothy A. McGowan both of Surrency. Three grandchildren also survive. A graveside service will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Brickyard Hill Cemetery 1831 Carter Bight Landing Road, Surrency. Swain...

Roy Lamar Rozar, Jr., CMCS, age 82, passed away in Raleigh, NC. on September 17, 2021. Graveside services will be held Saturday September 25, 2021 at 2PM from Hopewell United Methodist Church in Baxley, GA. www.swainfuneralhomebaxley.com

Helen Lee White Kanavage, age 89, of Augusta passed away Friday, August 13, 2021 at Doctor's Hospital in Augusta. Mrs. Kanavage was born April 22, 1932 in Baxley to the late Vance Gaston White and the late Viola Orein Carson White. She was a house wife, a member of the Red Hat Club, and a member of First Baptist Church of Augusta. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Chester B. Kanavage; brother, J. W. White; and sisters, Peggy Chancey and Rose Boatright. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Kim Kanavage & David King of North Augusta, SC; sons and daughters-in-law, Stan & Anne Kanavage of Athens and Van & Emily Kanavage of...