Obituaries

James Roy Conner, 49, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Conner was born Nov. 11, 1963 in Jacksonville, FL. He was a member of Midway Baptist Church and the Baxley Jaycees. He was an Army Veteran having served ten years of which was during Dessert Storm. His father, James Howard Conner, two brothers, Ricky and Ronnie Carter and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Carter, preceded him in death. [Full Story »] 

Wanda McDaniel Griffis, 56, of Odum, died Sunday, March 17, 2013 in Wayne Memorial Hospital after an extended illness. The Lakeland, Florida native had lived in the K-Ville Community the past 26 years and was a member of Ritch Baptist Church. She was an Appling County School bus driver for many years and a homemaker who loved taking care of her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Wallace “Bunk” and Erma McDaniel. [Full Story »] 

Mary D. Kelley, 80, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2013 at the Appling Nursing and Rehabilitation Pavilion under the care of Southern Care Hospice. She was a native and lifelong resident of Appling County; worked for Concerted Services and a member of Big Oaks Church of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Kelley Sr.; parents, Burch and Pithena Dyal; granddaughter, Cherea Moore and two sisters, Oletha Stephens and Brenda Dyal. [Full Story »] 

James Orris Lynch, Sr., 87, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Lynch was born June 18, 1925 in Appling County to the late Abner Hershel Lynch and the late Clara Bowen Lynch. He was a member of Red Oak Baptist Church. Lynch was owner of J. O. Lynch Steel Company. [Full Story »] 

James Walter Medders, Jr., 62, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Medders was born Aug. 18, 1950 in Bacon County to the late James Walter Medders, Sr. and the late Valdese Medders Gettys. He was a member of Big Oaks Church of God. [Full Story »] 

F. Bart Mixon, 90, died Friday, March 22, 2013. Mixon was born July 27, 1922 in Appling County to the late Eugene Mixon and the late Georgia Bell Crews Mixon. He was a member of the Senior Adult Sunday-School Class of Zoar Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Mixon and son, James Mixon. [Full Story »] 

Eugene Stephens, 78, passed away Friday, March 15, 2013 at Appling Healthcare Systems under the care of Comfort Care Hospice. He was a native and lifelong resident of Appling County, a member and Past-Master of Holmesville Lodge #195 of F and A.M. and former owner and operator of Gene’s Diesel and Machine Shop. [Full Story »] 

Mrs. Peggy White Chancey, 71, died Friday, March 15, 2013. Peggy was born Nov. 20, 1941 in Appling County to the late Vance Gaston White and the late Orien Carson White. She was a member of Ten Mile Baptist Church. Mrs. Chancey was a past director of Appling County Football Boosters Club and the National Wild Turkey Federation where she worked diligently with her husband, Don, in all aspects with the federation. She was a very charitable and giving person having touched many lives along the way. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Ladonn Chancey and a brother, J. W. White. [Full Story »] 

Johnny W. Hampton, 64, died Thursday, March 7, 2013. Johnny was born Oct. 29, 1948 in Appling County. He was a member of Baxley Church of God. Hampton was a supervisor at Rayonier for 36 plus years, a master musician and a #1 Dawg fan. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who knew how to put a smile on your face. [Full Story »] 

Ann Capshaw Hester, 85, of Hazlehurst, died Thursday, March 7, 2013 at the Lumber City Nursing Home. Mrs. Hester was born October 23, 1927 in Brewton, Alabama to the late James Monroe Capshaw and the late Alley Elizabeth Halstead Capshaw. She was the widow of William Riley Hester, Jr., a homemaker, and former co-owner of Hester’s Grocery and Market. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church and a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was also preceded in death by a son and daughter-in-law, Comer and Diane Hester; grandchildren, Matthew Hester and Terri Lynn Hester; brother, Jack Capshaw; and sister, Johnnie Mae Capshaw Veal. [Full Story »] 

Deacon John Edward Ryals, Sr., loving patriarch of the Ryals family, a kind and generous friend to all, answered the Master’s call on Feb. 27, 2013. He was born on Aug. 11, 1930 in Wheeler County to the parentage of the late Essix Ryals and Mattie Lee Mincey Ryals. John was the fourth child born to this union. [Full Story »] 

Eugene Stephens, 78, passed away Friday, March 15, 2013 at Appling Healthcare System under the care of Comfort Care Hospice. He was a native and lifelong resident of Appling County, a member and Past-Master of Holmesville Lodge #195 of F and A.M. and former owner and operator of Gene’s Diesel and Machine Shop. [Full Story »]