Mathews Funeral Home

Mary Frances Sims Prince, 100, of Blakely, GA, formerly of Damacus, GA, died April 19, 2024 at The LifeBrite Nursing Home. Private family graveside services will be held at the Damascus Cemetery in Early County, GA. Mrs. Prince was born on October 22, 1923 in Albany, GA to James Leonard and Mary Gilmer Sims. She attended Georgia Southwestern and Georgia Southern colleges where she obtained a degree in Education. She taught school for over forty years in Blakely, GA. She loved to travel and visited several states in the United States, Australia, Switzerland, England, Alaska and many other countries. She was a Godly, Christian woman and was involved in the Methodist Church and served on...

Freda Fox Hewitt, 88, of Mitchell County, GA, died April 14, 2024 at Seymour Southern Comfort Assisted Living Center in Bronwood, GA. Funeral services will be held Thursday April 18, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home. Mr. Ross Powell will officiate. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery. Freda was born on June 7, 1935 in Lower Providence Township, PA to the late Fred and Helen Fox. Her family moved to Southwest Georgia in her early youth. She grew up in Plains, GA and graduated from Plains High School in 1952, played on the basketball team and was a cheerleader in the off season. She loved both activities and her picture in her uniform still hangs on the wall at the...

Robert Joseph "Robby" Carver, 41, of Albany, GA, died April 13, 2024. Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 3:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. David Benton and Dr. William E. "Butch" Knight will officiate. The United States Army Honor Guard will provide Military Honors. A private family interment will be held at Andersonville National Cemetery. Robby was born in Atlanta, GA on July 22, 1982, was raised in Brooks County, GA, attended School in Lowndes County, GA, before moving to Lee County, GA and graduating from Lee County High School. During his teens he played baseball, enjoyed skate boarding, gaming and was a lifelong Boston Red Socks Baseball fan. Robby...

Robert Joseph "Robby" Carver, 41, of Albany, GA, died April 13, 2024. Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 3:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. David Benton and Dr. William E. "Butch" Knight will officiate. The United States Army Honor Guard will provide Military Honors. A private family interment will be held at Andersonville National Cemetery. Robby was born in Atlanta, GA on July 22, 1982, was raised in Brooks County, GA, attended School in Lowndes County, GA, before moving to Lee County, GA and graduating from Lee County High School. During his teens he played baseball, enjoyed skate boarding, gaming and was a lifelong Boston Red Socks Baseball fan. Robby...

Edith Merle Cannon, 82, of Albany, passed away at the Willson Hospice House on April 3, 2024 with family by her side. Her funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Monday April 8, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Putney with Rev. Danny Evans officiating. Interment will be at 3:00 PM, Monday, April 8, 2024 at Roberts Cemetery in Miller County. Merle was born May 27, 1941 to Lewis and Bronnie Mae White Granger was one of seven children and lived in Blakely, Georgia. On August 11, 1957, she married Houston Ray Cannon, Sr. and they celebrated sixty-five years of blessed marriage together and they had three children. After moving to Albany, she worked with Albany Auto Auction where she retired in 2009....

Victor Carlysle "Vic" Sullivan, III, 66, of Albany, Georgia, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 29, 2024. Vic was a deeply loved husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be missed by all who knew him. Born in Athens, Georgia, on February 21, 1958, Vic was the first of four boys born to Lillian and Carlysle Sullivan. Following his father's graduate school graduation, they moved to his mother's hometown of Albany, where he became a lifelong resident. He graduated from Deerfield-Windsor School in 1976 and attended The University of Georgia, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and earned a degree in Finance. Upon graduating in 1981, he...

Lonnie Mike Summerlin, 72, of Leesburg, GA., died Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Willson Hospice House as the result of a heart attack. Family and friends will be received on Monday, April 1, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Mathews Funeral Home and immediate follow in procession to Leesburg Cemetery for a graveside service. Mr. Ross Powell will officiate. Lonnie was a member of Westover High School's first graduating class. He was happily married for more than 51 years to his high school sweetheart Debbie. After high school he served in the United States Army. He continued to proudly serve his country as a civilian employee at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany Georgia where...

Brandon Lee White, 41, of Lee County, GA died Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 3:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home. Mr. Ross Powell and Ms. Miranda Rollins will officiate. Interment will follow at Leesburg Cemetery. Born in Albany, GA, Brandon was raised in Lee and Mitchell Counties. He was very sports oriented and was an all-star Dixie League baseball player and played both baseball and football at Lee County High School. After high school, he worked at Red Lobster before being employed with Carl Gregory Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and 5 Star Nissan and Schuff Steel Company. Brandon enjoyed playing basketball and...

James Edgar Dampier, 81, of Leesburg, GA passed away, Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Willson Hospice House. Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Mathews Funeral Home. James was the owner/operator of Construction Fasteners from 1984 to 2014. Mr. Dampier was preceded in death by his parents, Joel Jesse Dampier and Ruth Hardy Dampier and brother, Joel Dampier. Survivors include his daughter, Vondalyn Dampier Robinson and husband, Mark of Palm Harbor, FL., a brother, Emory Dampier, Valdosta, GA and grandchildren, Audra Robinson Browning, Shane Robinson, Ryan Robinson and great-grandchildren, Dalton Browning and Ember Robinson. Please visit...

Kevin William Kelly a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, 75, of Albany, GA died peacefully at home on March 23, 2024. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home. Mr. Ross Powell will officiate. Kevin was born in Eufaula, AL to the late William Joseph and Lois Jernigan Kelly. He graduated from Albany High School in 1967 and graduated from Georgia Southwestern College in 1972 where he played tennis. Kevin loved and enjoyed playing the game of tennis over the years. He traveled and played in many tournaments in GA, FL and AL. During Kevin's childhood, he loved visiting his grandparent's house on the farm...

Sue Herring Drapalik of Dawson, Georgia, died Friday March 22, 2024 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital seventeen days after celebrating her 100th birthday. Graveside memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Chaplain Joey Holland will be officiating. Sue was the daughter of the late Mattie Lou Bragan Herring and the late James Climmie Herring of Morgan, Georgia. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her late husband Joseph Frank Drapalik, a sister Irell Herring Marsh (Fox), a sister Ann Herring Jennings (George), a brother Curtis Lyn Herring (Betty), and a special niece Barbara Marsh Baugh. Sue and Frank lived in Atlanta,...

Nina "Kay" Cates Fickel, 81, died peacefully at home on March 13th and has gone on to a better place with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Graveside funeral services will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:00 am at Crown Hill Cemetery. Rev. Patrick Sebesta will officiate. Kay was born in Albany, Georgia on Nov. 1, 1942 to the late James and Louise Cates. Her siblings were the late James "Russell" Cates and Jo Cates Eckhart. She was also proceeded in death by sister-in-law, Shirley Cates and daughter in law, Brenda Johnson. Kay is survived by her husband, Rodney Fickel and her four children, Kent Johnson of Green Cove Springs, FL; Darren (Chimene) Johnson of St. George Island, FL;...

Billie Cowart Kirksey, 95, of Albany, GA died March 11, 2024 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 3:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Patrick Sebesta will officiate. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Kirksey was born on January 24, 1929 in Colquitt, GA to Stephen and Louella Tiner Cowart. Her family moved to Panama City, FL, but returned to Colquitt where she grew up and graduated from Miller County High School in 1946. She married Gerald F. Kirksey and they resided in Moultrie, Tifton and finally to Albany, GA in 1984. Mrs. Kirksey was employed with Belk's Department Store for twenty-two years as a buyer and...

Terri Richardson Barrett, 63, of Leesburg, GA, died March 10, 2024 at The Willson Hospice House. Funeral services will be held March 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Shane Mullins will officiate. Interment will follow in Leesburg Cemetery. Terri was born in Albany, GA on September 29, 1960 to the late Frank M. and Alma Richardson, She graduated from Albany High School and moved to Lee County, GA in 1994. Terri was employed with Crete Carrier Corporation and then a stay-at-home mom and housekeeper. She loved to shop, go to yard sales and Newks. Survivors include her husband, Robert D. Barrett of Lee County, GA, her children, Chris (Layla) Jarrell of Lee County, GA,...

Marion Eve Paul, 65, of Lee County, GA, died March 4, 2024 at The Willson Hospice House. Graveside funeral services will be held Friday, March 8, 2024 at Leesburg Cemetery. Mr. Eddie Meeks will officiate. Eve was born in Cuthbert, GA to Herman Marcus and Marion June Hilton. She grew up in Shellman, graduated from Randolph Southern School and Georgia Southwestern College. Eve moved to Lee County, GA in 1981 and married Steve Paul. She was employed for twenty years at HCA Palmyra Hospital, worked at Boyd Brothers Construction and Advantage Vinyl Siding. Eve was a member of The First Baptist Church of Leesburg and enjoyed meeting friends for lunch, spending time with her grandchildren,...

Kenny Lee Parker, 65, of Albany, GA died March 4, 2024 at Willson Hospice House. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel at Sherwood Baptist Church. Rev. John Spencer will officiate. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery. Kenny was born in Albany, GA on October 16, 1958 to Gratten and Elsie Parker, Sr. He grew up in Albany and graduated from Riverview Academy in 1976. Kenny was a member of Sherwood Baptist Church, the Singles Sunday School Class and was employed as a truck driver with Tyson Foods. He grew up on Nilo Plantation and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his father, Gratten Parker,Sr., his brother, Gratten...

Talmadge Dewitt "Buddy" Jarrell, II, 79, of Warwick, GA, died February 29, 2024 at his residence. A graveside entombment service will be held Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 3:00 pm at The Butler Memorial Cemetery. Rev. Justin Kirksey will officiate. Buddy was born in Americus, GA on November 25, 1944 to Woodrow Wilson Jarrell, Sr and Virginia Brooks Jarrell. He grew up in Perry and Butler, graduated from Butler High School in 1962 and attended Auburn University. During his career, Buddy was employed with Swearingen Gin Company, constructed cotton gins in Cambodia, managed Miami Valley Fruit Farm and retired from McCay Gin and Warehouse Company Buddy moved from Albany to Warwick in 1996. He...

Talmadge Dewitt "Buddy" Jarrell, II, 79, of Warwick, GA, died February 29, 2024 at his residence. A graveside entombment service will be held Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 3:00 pm at The Butler Memorial Cemetery. Rev. Justin Kirksey will officiate. Buddy was born in Americus, GA on November 25, 1944 to Woodrow Wilson Jarrell, Sr and Virginia Brooks Jarrell. He grew up in Perry and Butler, graduated from Butler High School in 1962 and attended Auburn University. During his career, Buddy was employed with Swearingen Gin Company, constructed cotton gins in Cambodia, managed Miami Valley Fruit Farm and retired from McCay Gin and Warehouse Company. Buddy moved from Albany to Warwick in 1996. He...

Richard "Dick" Warren Guilds, 80, of Lee County, GA., died Wednesday, February 28, 2024. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Gillionville Baptist Church. Rev. Roy Cook and Rev. Chad Ellis will officiate. Mr. Guilds was born in Cass City, MI to the late Warren and Elenor Guilds. Dick served his country in the United States Marine Corps. during the Vietnam War. After his service time he worked at California Food Industry for many years. He later moved to Albany in 1992. Dick was an entrepreneur and owned several businesses in town such as Guilds Mart, Guilds Antiques and J and M Cleaning service. He was a very generous man and gave of himself to...

Houston Ray Cannon, Sr. 85, of Albany, passed away surrounded by his family at his home on County Line Rd. His funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Monday March 4, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Putney with Rev. Danny Evans officiating. Interment will be at 3:00 PM, Monday, March 4, 2024 at Roberts Cemetery in Miller County. Ray was born, August 16, 1938 to Stephen and Merle (Mock) Cannon, was one of six children and lived in the Hentown Community of Blakely. Upon graduation from school, Ray joined the U. S. Air Force serving for four years as a Radio Communications Operator. On August 11, 1957, he married Edith Merle Granger and they celebrated sixty-five years of blessed marriage and...

Brother Donny G. Nix, 72, of Albany, GA, died February 24, 2024 at Tift Regional Health Care. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 at 11:00 am at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Randolph Pate will officiate. Interment will follow in Leesburg Cemetery. Donny was born in Butler, AL on December 9, 1951 to Hugo and Beatrice Nix. He grew up in Melvin, AL and graduated from Choctaw County High School in 1968. Donny joined the United States Navy and was stationed at Albany, GA. He married his first wife, Delores LaRue in 1971. After his discharge, he was employed with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company until it's closure. Donny was employed with The Marine Corps Logistic Base for...