Area Obituaries

Bessie Taylor, 64, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Memorial Health Meadows in Vidalia. Bessie was born September 2, 1960, in Appling County to the late J.L. and Wanell Bohannon Taylor, and was a homemaker. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings, Jimmy Taylor, Jeanette Jackson, Genetha Kamalakis,…

Gary Ralph Thomas, 78, of Baxley passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas. Mr. Thomas was born April 20, 1947 in Appling County to the late Floyd Thomas and the late Lois Youmans Thomas Beasley.  He was a member of Hopewell Church and was the owner & operator of…

James G. Patchen, 71, passed away at Appling Healthcare on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Born November 19, 1953, to James and Rita May Patchen Sr., he was the fifth-born and oldest boy. James was a retired carpenter, home remodeler, and painter. His hobbies included cartooning, classic cars, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He is survived by his…

Latasha Sharda Johnson was born on April 1, 1987, to Isom Johnson, Jr. and the late Shurby Conaway. Her birth marked the beginning of a life filled with promise and potential. Latasha grew up experiencing both the joys and challenges that shaped her into a beautiful person. Latasha was known to many as “KooKoo Red…

Darcel Cason Adamson, formerly of Augusta, died in Athens, on April 13, 2025, at the age of 86. The daughter of Monroe and Avinelle Cason, Darcel was born in Waycross and spent her childhood in Appling County, Baxley. Darcel was a fifth-generation Appling Countian. Darcel’s great loves were her family and her home. She had…

United States Army Master Sergeant Luther Grace, age 34, of Lumber City, Georgia, was killed in action on November 30, 1950, in North Korea after the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Born on December 10, 1915, in Telfair County, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 11, 1940, and served continuously for over 10 years,…

Edwin Dale Walker, 70, of Baxley passed away Saturday, March 29, 2025 at his residence. Mr. Walker was born November 9, 1954 in Jacksonville, Florida to the late Bo Walker and the late Juanita Carter Walker.  He was a member of Ferry Road Baptist Church. Mr. Walker worked for the paper company and orange packing…

Glenn A. Hutcherson, 66, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital in Augusta. Glenn was born February 8, 1959, in Albany, GA, to the late Roger G. and Audrey Norris Hutcherson. He was a 1977 Appling County High School graduate and a forty-six-year employee of Southern Nuclear, beginning his career at Plant…

Hazel Swain Dyal, 92, of Baxley passed away Friday, April 4, 2025 at Pineland Personal Care Home in Hazlehurst under the care of Comfort Care Hospice. Mrs. Dyal was born January 17, 1933 in Appling County to the late Dude Swain and the late Odessa Yarbrough Swain. She was a member of Oak Grove Baptist…

Betty S. Sparks, 84, of Baxley passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Twin Oaks Nursing Home in Alma. Ms. Betty, as she was known to many, was born September 16, 1940 in Pitts, Georgia to the late Danny E. Simmons and the late Laura Bell Simmons.  She moved to Atlanta at 18 where she…