DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home

Rev. Tom Oliver, 94, entered into his eternal heavenly rest on Saturday, October 26, 2024, after an extended illness at the Baptist Village Nursing Home in Waycross Georgia. He faithfully served the Lord as a Methodist Pastor for 65 years. Rev. Oliver was born on March 18, 1930, in Screven County to Maner Oliver and Belle McCullough Oliver. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Leroy Oliver and LC Oliver; a sister, Mary Oliver Herrington; his wife, Betty Jean Hayes Oliver; and two daughters, Julie Oliver Pickle and Debbie Oliver MacDonald. He is survived by a son, Rick Oliver (Connie); five grandchildren, Cori Oliver Crews (Adam), Jamie MacDonald Mallard (Brantley), Jill MacDonald...

Thomas C. Murray (Chris), son of the late T. W. Murray and Ellie Walker Murray, of Sardis, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 20, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Dirk Murray, Jacksonville, FL and Fayte Murray, Sardis GA; maternal grandparents, RC and Eva Lanier Walker and paternal grandparents, Lloyd and Irene DeLaigle Murray, all of Sardis; and son-in-law, Jeff Anderson, Waynesboro, GA. He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Stout Murray of Waynesboro; a sister, Charmain Murray of Sardis; two sons, Nicholas Cochran (Jean) of Lexington, SC and Ken Bailey of Cape Coral, FL; a daughter, Paige...

Peggy Mallard Chandler passed quietly in her sleep on August 28, 2023 after several years of declining health. She is survived by her daughter Lynn Hurley (Tim); sons Billy Joe Chandler (Lisa), and Robert L. (Lucky) Chandler; grand-children Erin Shepard (Austin), Megan Love (Philip) and Wade Chandler (Mary Ann); six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews as well as Carol Cooper and Dianne Chandler. She was preceded in death by her parents, Pearl S. Mallard and Robert L. Mallard, Sr.; two sisters, Dorothy Fowler and Lillian Hester, three brothers, Joseph G. Mallard, Robert L. Mallard, Jr. and Grady Mallard; her husband Billy E. Chandler and her daughter P. Jan Chandler. Peggy...

Deborah "Debbie" Oliver MacDonald, age 72, entered into eternal rest surrounded by her family on August 24, 2023. Debbie was a graduate of Appling County High School and Georgia Southern College earning a Bachelor's, Master's, and Education Specialist Degree. Debbie was born in Waynesboro, GA and spent her adult life there serving as a teacher at Waynesboro Primary School the majority of her career. She was also a professor at Paine College and Augusta Technical College. Debbie was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, and friend, but her biggest joy in life was being a Mother and Nana to her "girl gang" of 2 daughters, and 4 granddaughters. She was a member of Green's...

Dr. William "Bill" Sidney Bolton, 81, of Sandy Springs, GA, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 17, 2022. Bill was born June 4, 1941, to the late John and Amanda Bolton. The youngest of three brothers, Bill grew up in Waynesboro, Georgia. In high school, he loved playing football, and one of his proudest memories was being part of the Waynesboro High "Purple Hurricanes" state champion team in 1957, which was coached by the legendary Pooley Hubert. Bill attended the University of Georgia for three years and then transferred to Emory University to attend dental school, where he graduated in 1966 as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. After graduating, he served two years in the...

Henderson Carlyle Upchurch, Jr., "Up", 86, passed away August 13, 2022. He was a native of Four Oaks, NC, but "home" has been Waynesboro since 1962. For 40 years he worked in the banking world beginning at Farmer's Production Credit Association, then the Bank of Waynesboro, and retiring in 2001 from his beloved Queensboro National Bank & Trust. Spending time with family and friends, fishing, hunting and baseball were some of his favorite pass times. Up was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, H. C. Upchurch, Sr. and Irene Britt Upchurch; a sister, Mary Jane Hamilton; a brother, Glenn Upchurch; and a loyal Yorkie, Brite Sunshine. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Sarah S....

Mrs. Lana Turner Coble, 77, of Waynesboro, GA went home to her Savior on June 3, 2022. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. Family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service at First Baptist Church of Waynesboro. Graveside service will follow at Burke Memorial Gardens. Lana was born on June 25, 1944 to Helen Miller Turner and James Clifford Turner in Norfolk, VA. Lana grew up in Walnut Grove, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. She was a graduate of Roebuck High School. She spent summers working in the family peach-packing business and used her earnings to pay for her elementary education degree from Winthrop College. She went on to teach first and...

Ondra Michele Branham, age 51 of Augusta, GA, passed away on Tuesday, June 1, 2022, at the home of her parents, James and Rachel Ross. She was born in Waynesboro, GA, June 29, 1970. She graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1988 and went on to attend college at the University of Georgia. She continued her education to earn her MBA. She worked at Automatic Data Processing in Augusta, GA. While she had been sick for some time, Ondra persevered and never complained to anyone about her troubles. She always looked to the future and her homegoing with the Lord. Ondra enjoyed a variety of activities and events. She loved decorating for Christmas, her favorite time of the year, as well as...

Zailin Ja'Kobe Hunter, 2 months, entered into rest Thursday, April 14, 2022. He was born on January 16, 2022 to Kirsten Helen Hunter and Savin Darrell LaShawn Jones. He was a loving, happy, and precious baby, who always was smiling. Zailin was here too early and gone to soon. He was preceded in death by, Ronald Hunter, Sr., Fred James, Max Anglin, Helen Anglin, Monk Bullard, and Zechariah Jones, Jr. In addition to his parents, Zailin is survived by grandmothers, Tammy Worman of Statesboro and Jamese Smith of Statesboro; grandfathers, Gregory L. Littles of Statesboro and Henry Church of Hephzibah; great grandparents, Susie Hunter of Surrency, GA and Cynthia Lonon (Franklin) of Statesboro;...

Sallie Clarke DeLaigle Syms, 96, went to be with the lord Tuesday, April 5, 2022. She was the daughter of the late Minus Jasper and Nannie Herrington Clarke, She was a native and longtime resident of Burke County, having grown up in the Green Fork Community. Sallie was always active in her church. Sallie loved attending church and loved all of the church members. She was a member of Rosemont Baptist Church and taught the Joy Sunday School Class. Sallie was a former Sunday School teacher for 3 year olds at First Baptist Church. She was a member of Woodmen of the World and retired from Blanchard Equipment after 28 years. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Herman B. DeLaigle and Frank...

James Troy Hollingsworth, Jr., aged 72, died Friday, January 14, 2022 at Brentwood Health and Rehabilitation in Waynesboro, Georgia after a long illness. Born in Millen, Georgia April 18 1949, he lived in and around Burke County, Georgia for most of his life. He worked as a motorcycle police officer for the Athens, Georgia Police Department for several years before moving to West Virginia and Texas as a sales representative for Fleetwood. In 1984, he was hired as a road deputy for the Burke County Sheriff's Office by Sheriff Greg Coursey; the sheriff named him Chief Deputy in 2002. He worked closely with Sheriff Coursey for nearly thirty years before retiring in 2015. He is preceded in...

Dorma Gemiah Smith Perry, 96, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, November 18, 2021. She was born on October 1, 1925 in Carroll County, Georgia, to the late Thomas Walter and Belle Hyatt Smith. Dorma moved to Waynesboro with her family in 1936, and graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1942. After graduation Dorma attended Chicago Evangelistic Institute until she was asked to return home to help raise her younger siblings. During her time at CEI she met the love of her life, Frank Long Perry, and the two were married on June 27, 1944 at Waynesboro First United Methodist Church. After their marriage Frank and Dorma lived in Michigan where Frank attended...

Reverend Earl Thomas Saxon, 73, loving husband, father, and grandfather went to be with his Lord and Savior Monday, November 8, 2021. The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm Wednesday, November 10 at the DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held 11:00am Thursday, November 11 in the DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at 2:00pm in the Old Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests that social distancing and other safety precautions be followed. DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 220 East 6th Street, Waynesboro, GA 30830 (706-554-3531). You may...

Reverend Earl Thomas Saxon, 73, loving husband, father, and grandfather went to be with his Lord and Savior Monday, November 8, 2021. Rev. Saxon was born in Savannah, GA, grew up in Bulloch County, and was a resident of Burke County since 1981. Before moving to Burke County, he pastored churches in St. Mary's, Claxton, and Augusta. Here in Burke County, he pastored at Rosemont Heights Baptist Church and retired from Hebron Baptist Church. Rev. Saxon graduated from Georgia Southern College with a Bachelor's degree in Education. After graduation, along with pastoring he taught Middle School. Rev. Saxon went on five mission trips to Brazil, six to India, and one to Sri Lanka after the tsunami....

Terry C. Hawkins, 66, entered into rest on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at his residence. Terry was born on August 10, 1954, in New Castle, IN to the late James B. Hawkins and Betty Jean Phelps Irvin. Terry retired from Allegany Ludlam. In October 2016, Terry moved to Waynesboro, GA. He was a bass player for the 50/60s band called "Bax Trax". His other hobby was collecting die cast cars. Terry attended the Waynesboro Church of God. He was also a member of the Steel Mill Workers Union. In addition to his parents, Terry was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Ann Dietz and Karen Jo Shaffer; daughter, Christin Hawkins; and a grandson, Kory Hawkins. He is survived by his wife of 10 years,...

Danny T. Jones, 70, entered into rest Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Burke Medical Center in Waynesboro, GA. He was born on May 30, 1950, in Monroe, GA to the late Cassie Ivey Huff and Thomas Jones. He was a former resident of Waynesboro, and was currently a resident of Dublin, GA. Danny accepted Christ as his Savior as a young child. He was a graduate of Monroe Area High School, Abraham Baldwin College, and Georgia Southern College. Danny was the Director of the Burke County Recreation from 1976 until 1994, Kennesaw Parks and Recreation from 1994 until 1999 and retired as Executive Director from the Dublin-Laurens County Recreation Authority. He was a 45 year member and the 2007 president...

Russell E. Pate, Jr., 72, entered into rest Tuesday, January 5, 2021. He was born in Louisville, GA to the late Alleen and Russell E. Pate Sr. He was a veteran of the US Navy. Russell enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, watching Old Westerns, and history. He loved spending time with his family including his dog, Conway. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Pate; and a sister, Lena Patton. He is survived by his son, Russell E. Pate III (Shelia) of Evans; a daughter, Danette Highsmith of Waynesboro; four grandchildren, Emily Pate of Waynesboro, Russell Pate IV of Waynesboro, Ayden Engelke of Evans, and John Daniel Highsmith of Waynesboro; and several...

Valarie Burgamy Mead, 46, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 8th, 2020. She was born in Milledgeville and was the daughter of Tom Burgamy and the late Connie Bailey Burgamy. She was a resident of Burke County. She went to Edmund Burke Academy, graduating in 1992 as salutatorian. After graduation, she went to Georgia State College & University to pursue a degree in Biology followed with a second degree in Chemistry. She was a member of the American Hereford Association, the Midville Garden Club, and the treasurer of the Vidette United Methodist Church. Valarie worked at Star Choices in Macon for four years, where her caregiving nature excelled. Later becoming a stay at home mom,...

Valarie Burgamy Mead, 46, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 8th, 2020. She was born in Milledgeville and was the daughter of Tom Burgamy and the late Connie Bailey Burgamy. She was a resident of Burke County. She went to Edmund Burke Academy, graduating in 1992 as salutatorian. After graduation, she went to Georgia State College & University to pursue a degree in Biology followed with a second degree in Chemistry. She was a member of the American Hereford Association, the Midville Garden Club, and the treasurer of the Vidette United Methodist Church. Valarie worked at Star Choices in Macon for four years, where her caregiving nature excelled. Later becoming a stay at home mom,...

William David "Bill" Ansley, 70, of Waynesboro went home to be with the Lord on Monday October 12, 2020. He was born on September 18, 1950 in Kissimmee, Florida, to the late Talmadge and Ouida Durrence Ansley. Bill loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all of his heart. He pastored the Wren's Church of the Nazarene for seven years and was a member of the Augusta First Church of the Nazarene. He was a very hardworking and industrious man, with a tremendous talent in woodworking. Bill was an employee of Temple Inland in Thomson for over 20 years. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, and grandfather. Bill will be dearly missed by his family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was...