Obituaries

Ellis Grady “Buddy” Carter, 92, of Boiling Springs, SC, entered into the presence of the glory of God on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Born May 30, 1918 in Baxley, he was the son of the late David Chatman and Lula Mae Sapp Carter and the husband of the late Gladys Knox Carter. [Full Story »] 

Rufus Grant Devereaux, 81, died Monday, March 21, 2011 at his residence. Mr. Devereaux was born in Appling County November 21, 1929 and had resided here most of his life. He was the son of the late Milton C. Devereaux and the late Evelyn Todd Devereaux. He was a retired lineman for Jacksonville Electric Authority and had served in the U.S. Navy. [Full Story »] 

Ledlie Cecil Edwards, Jr., died March 21, 2011. Brother Ledlie was born on Sept. 27, 1953 to the late Ledlie Cecil Sr. and Rosa Lee Edwards of Surrency. He was the second oldest of seven children, three sisters and three brothers. [Full Story »] 

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George Bayne Eason, 91, of Greensboro, N.C., formerly of St. Simons Island, died Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Well Spring Retirement Community in Greensboro. Mr. Eason was born Feb. 4, 1920 in Baxley, a son of the late George Bayne Eason, Sr. and the late Winnie Barnes Eason. He was a U.S. Army Air Corp veteran of World War II, where he served in the Invasions of North Africa and Normandy and served with the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Georgia. Eason was retired from Sears Roebuck and Company as Director of Government Affairs and was a member of West Market Street United Methodist Church. He was a great fisherman, enjoyed tennis and working in his yard. [Full Story »] 

John Raford “J.R.” Harper, 88, died Thursday, March 10, 2011 in Appling Healthcare System. Son of the late Pearlie Harper and the late Mable Mayers Harper was born in Bacon County on July 18, 1922 and had resided in Baxley for most of his life. He was the retired owner of Western Auto in Baxley, which he owned and operated, along with his wife, Lorene Harper, for 41 years. J. R was a charter member of Miles Chapel Baptist Church and a World War II Army veteran. He was a member of the V.F.W., the American Legion and the Holmesville Lodge #195 F&AM. Mr. Harper was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Lorene Harper. [Full Story »] 

The Rev. David Lee Rooks died Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at his home. Mr. Rooks was born on Sept. 9, 1918 in Chatham County. He was the second of 12 children born to the late Althia and Henrietta Rooks.
He completed his educational training at Dorchester Academy in Chatham County and Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta. His pastoral experiences began in 1941 and continued for 60 years. Rev. Rooks served congregations in Folkston, St. Mary’s, Woodbine, Savannah, Metter, Sylvania, Waycross, Blackshear, Jesup, and for 17 years pastored his home church, Harper Chapel in Baxley. He was well known throughout the South Georgia United Methodist Church Conference, and distinguished himself as a soul-stirring preacher and revivalist. [Full Story »] 

Kyle Staines, 22, died Sunday, March 13, 2011 at his residence. Kyle was the son of Ron Staines and the late Stephanie Jo Staines. He was born in Savannah on Jan. 20, 1989. Mr. Staines was a 2007 graduate of Appling County High School and was attending Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robbins. He was employed as a co-op AMT at Warner Robins Air Force Base and was a member of Altamaha Baptist Church. Kyle was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troup 472 of Baxley and was an alumnus of the Appling County Band. [Full Story »] 

Bessie Thelma O’Berry Heath Arnold, 86 of St. Mary’s, passed away February 25, 2011 in St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Jacksonville, Florida. [Full Story »] 

Ethel Mae Shaw Coley died Saturday, February 19, 2011. Mrs. Coley was born Sept. 9, 1935 in Hoboken to the late Henry and Mamie Lila Perry Shaw. She was educated at Telmore Consolidated School in Telmore and Northside School in Waycross. Ethel Mae was married to the late Jake Coley, who preceded her in death in 1981. She was the mother of 12 (seven girls and five boys). One daughter, Janice, preceded her in death along with seven brothers: James, Robert, Willis N., Lewis A., John D., Walter and Harold N. Shaw. She was a good faithful member of Saint James A.M.E. Church for many years, where she served faithfully on the Usher board. Aside from working in the church, she was a domestic engineer, caregiver, and one of the world’s best pound cake bakers. Mrs. Coley was known for her kindness, generosity and loving personality. Mrs. Ethel Mae Shaw Coley was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and church member. [Full Story »]