Obituaries

Miles Funeral Home in Hazlehurst announces the graveside service for infant, Hadley Brooke Beasley, who passed away Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. [Full Story »] 

Mrs. Lorine Kent-Durden died Feb. 13, 2013. Lorine was born in Baxley on July 30, 1942. She received her education in the Appling County School System and joined Pine View Baptist Church at an early age. Lorine was a floral designer by profession. Her first husband, Curtis Thomas, preceded her in death and later her second husband, Chaney Durden. [Full Story »] 

Lucia Juanita Powell Godfrey, 85, of Fairfax Station, VA, formally of Baxley; died Sunday, February 17, 2013, at home surrounded by her family, after a battle with cancer. She was born February 26, 1927 in Charleston, Mississippi. Mrs. Godfrey graduated from Mississippi State College for Women (Mississippi University for Women) in 1948 with a BS in bacteriology and Georgia Southern University with an MS in Education in 1974. She retired from Appling County School System where she taught science from 1972-1989. In 1985, Mrs. Godfrey was celebrated as Teacher of the Year. She was married to Col. Norman M. Godfrey who predeceased Mrs. Godfrey in 1996. [Full Story »] 

October 9, 1940 - February 19, 2013

Doris Rentz, 72, of Graham, died Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at Bethany Nursing Center in Vidalia. [Full Story »] 

Jesse Whitfield Dunwoody, 95, a devoted husband, loving father and loyal friend, left this earthly realm and entered into his heavenly home early Tuesday morning, Feb. 12, 2013. In 1934, at age 17, Jesse joined the United States Navy. He spent time in the Pacific during WWII and was one of the “Greatest Generation” that defended our country and the free world. In WWII he was assigned to the USS Charrette, a destroyer in the Pacific where he ascended to the Engineering Officer of the ship by the end of the war. He was in two major battles: the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Jesse retired from the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander in 1960, moved to Appling County and spent his time raising, training and working pointing dogs ever since. He married Opal Bland on October 16, 1937 and they had four children, Jesse Jr., Barbara, Donna and Wanda. Barbara died in June of 1973 leaving her three children, Paris, Eric and Leif England whom Jesse and Opal eventually ended up raising as a second family. Jesse was a member of the First United Methodist Church. [Full Story »] 

Peggy Hall, 60, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah after a brief illness. She was a lifelong resident of Appling County; the co-owner of Piddlers, Creekside Produce and Southern Star Gift World; a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was a gift and blessing to her family and friends unique in her own way, exceptionally talented and creative in every aspect of her life. Her poems inspired many souls and her light shined bright in everyone’s life that she touched. She was grateful and thankful for all her customers and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, M.C. and Nell Corbitt and grandchildren, Marty Sanders and Tyler Willis Barlow. [Full Story »] 

Robert H. “Mann” Herrin passed away Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Wayne Memorial Hospital under the care of Hospice of South GA. He was a native of Wayne County, living most of his life in Appling County. Herrin was a retired farmer and worked as a mechanic with Union Camp for 33 years. He was a member of Memorial Freewill Baptist Church. [Full Story »] 

Merle Beckworth Medders, 86, died Wednesday, February 13, 2013. Mrs. Medders was born March 17, 1926 in Appling County to the late Charlie Marvin Beckworth and the late Virginia Soonie Swinson Beckworth. She was a member of Satilla Baptist Church. [Full Story »] 

Randall Beecher, 67, of Baxley, died Monday, February 4, 2013 at The Pavilion after an extended illness. Beecher was born February 27, 1945 in Appling County to the late Brice C. Beecher and the late Sallie Mae Craven Beecher and was a retired log truck driver. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Ken Beecher, Pete Beecher, Tommy Beecher, Wilton Beecher, and Johnny Beecher. [Full Story »] 

Thelma Dykes, 97, died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. Mrs. Dykes was born Oct. 5, 1915 in Pulaski County to the late Joseph Henry Fowler and the late Martha Melinda Tatum Fowler. She was a member of Zion Church of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Elmer Dykes and a son, Jack Dykes. [Full Story »] 

Brown Funeral Home announces the death and funeral services of Susie Ann Miller Hansley who died Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 at Southeast Georgia Health System – Brunswick Campus in Brunswick. Mrs. Hansley was born in Baxley, Appling County, on May 22, 1962 to the late Joseph Miller, Sr. and the late Gladys Calhoun Collins. She was united in holy matrimony to Willie James Hansley. Mrs. Hansley attended Appling County Comprehensive High School in Baxley and for many years was employed at the Comfort Inn and Suite Hotel in Brunswick. [Full Story »] 

Charlie Russell Simmons, 80, of Hazlehurst, died Sunday, February 3, 2013 at his residence. Simmons was born November 9, 1932 in Jeff Davis County to the late Henry L. Simmons and the late Irestena Arrington Simmons. He was a master craftsman and boat builder and an avid hunter and fisherman. He was also a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by two sons, Bobby Simmons and Russell Lee Simmons. [Full Story »]