Obituaries

Mrs. Velma Smith, 86, of Hazlehurst, died Monday, April 16, 2012. Mrs. Smith was born in Folkston but had lived most of her life in Hazlehurst. She was the daughter of the late William Mancil and Vermell Bowen Mancil and the wife of the late Wayne Detroit Smith. Mrs. Smith was a school teacher retiring after 35 years with the Jeff Davis County School System. She also taught Adult Literacy for approximately 15 years in Vidalia. Velma was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and was a Sunday School Teacher for many years at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. [Full Story »] 

Hilda Burke, 80, of Jesup, died Tuesday, April 10, 2012 in Wayne Memorial Hospital after an extended illness. The Appling County native had lived in Jesup the past 56 years. She was a member of Jesup First Baptist Church and the Retired Educators Association. She volunteered with the Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Wayne County Peachy Clean Committee for many years. Her husbands, Watson Burke and Rufus Roberson preceded her in death along with a daughter-in-law, Willeen Burke. [Full Story »] 

Rose Mary “Peaches” Smith, daughter of the late Walter and Ola Mae Smith, born on June 2, 1960 in Baxley, died Thursday, March 22, 2012. She grew up in Appling County. Her fellowship with Christ began at First African Missionary Baptist Church, Baxley, where she was a member of the Singles Ministry and a very proud member of the Total Adoration Praisers (TAP). Rose Mary “Peaches” also had the same love and commitment for the Family and Friends Day Rally as her father. She was educated in the Appling County public schools where she graduated in 1978. Peaches continued her education at South Georgia College in Douglas. The two loves of her life were her children, Brian and Amy. Ms. Smith was employed by Alco in Hazlehurst for many years and later she became a dedicated employer of Fred’s Dollar Store where she worked until her health failed. The joys and pleasures of her life were her children, sisters, brothers, relatives and friends of whom God had given her. In addition to her parents, a sister, Barbara A. Johnson and a brother, Elder Norman J. Smith, also preceded her in death. [Full Story »] 

Lorretta M. Rawlson Bystrak, 73, of Surrency, died Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at her residence. She was a native of Brunswick and resided in Gray before moving to Surrency three years ago. Loretta was a registered Nurse and was self-employed as a home health care nurse. She was the daughter of the late Lewis Rawlson and the late Barbara Head Rawlson. [Full Story »] 

Allen Bruce Harris “Speed Ball, ” died March 24, 2012 at Appling Healthcare System in Baxley. Allen was born in Sarasota, FL on Jan. 7, 1963 to the late Ernest Harris, Jr. and Juanita Williams Harris. Speed Ball as he was affectionately called was a joy to be around and was always willing to help a friend in need. He attended the Appling County School System. Harris loved life and lived it to its fullest. During his early life he worked as a machine operator at a manufacturing company for a number of years. [Full Story »] 

Mary Josephine Perry, 71, of Surrency, died Saturday, March 24, 2012 in Appling Healthcare System. Mrs. Perry was born Sept. 9, 1940 in Hazard, KY to the late Howard Bud and Flossie Oliver Combs. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Chad Perry, a son, James F. Perry and a host of brothers and sisters. [Full Story »] 

Beatrice Wallace-Vail, 74, passed away on Friday, March 23, 2012 at Appling County Healthcare System. She was born on September 20, 1937 to the late Roger P. and Rebecca Young Wallace in Springfield. Beatrice worked several years at Wayne County School system as a cook in the cafeteria and later did domestic work for P.D. Griffin, Stanley Stadnick and the Bennett families. She was a member of St. James Holiness Church in Screven. Beatrice was preceded in death by both parents, Roger and Rebecca Wallace; her loving husband, Leroy Vail; a daughter, JoAnn Ellis Jenkins; two sisters, Dorothy M. Dixon and Theresa Rawls; three brothers, Robert, Horace and Gary Wallace and a grandson, Jeffrey DeLoach. [Full Story »]