Area Obituaries

Leroy Steve Baxley, 73, of Baxley passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. Mr. Baxley, born March 2, 1952, in Hazlehurst, was the son of the late Earnest Leroy Baxley and the late Catherine Mildred Carter Baxley. He was a devoted member of Friendship Congregational Christian Church and built a…

Stanford Little Tillman, 89, of Hazlehurst, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Lakeside Senior Living in Douglas, leaving this world much the way he lived in it: with grace, warmth, and a smile. Mr. Tillman was born on July 4, 1936, in Surrency, to the late Herschel Tillman and the late Ruth…

David was born in Jeff Davis County on September 18, 1949 to Mellie Conley Barlow, Sr. and Lillie Maude Williams Barlow. David passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, surrounded by his family—exactly the way he would have chosen it if he could have hand-picked the moment himself. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mellie Conley…

On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Jerome Bell Sr. Made his transition from earth to glory at community hospice in Vidalia, Georgia. Born in Surrency, Georgia, on may 2, 1956, Jerome was the son of the late Mr. Monroe Bell and Mrs. Minnie Lee King. Jerome attended Appling county high school and began his working years…

Susan Jane Purdom Crawley, 73, of St. Simons Island, passed away peacefully in her home January 22, 2026, from complications associated with Lewy Body Dementia, after an extended period of in-home hospice care. Susan was born June 22, 1952, in Duluth. She was the youngest daughter of the late Woodrow (Dick) Purdom and Lou Ellen…

Justin David Chancey, 42, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Memorial Health in Savannah after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family and under the comfort of Georgia Hospice Care. Justin was born and raised in Baxley, where he spent his life. He loved sports, tinkering with electronics, and spending time with his…

Johnnie Ray Copeland, 88, of Baxley passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026 at his residence. Mr. Copeland was born August 30, 1937 in Appling County to the late Lawrence Copeland and the late Fanny Marie Hendricks Copeland. He was the last surviving attendant of Red Oak School and proudly served his country as a veteran…

Mrs. Diane S. Carter, 80, passed away Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Appling Nursing & Rehab Pavilion, after an extended illness. Diane was born in Lakeland, Florida, and later moved to Appling County, where she has lived for the past 47 years. She was a member of Zion Baptist Church. Diane was a seamstress…

Mrs. Genella Hewett Baxley, 88, born on September 2, 1937, passed away peacefully at the Appling County Pavilion, under the care of Comfort Care Hospice, after an extended illness. She was a native and long-time resident of Jeff Davis County. Genella was a retired seamstress, a member of Liberty Baptist Church of Hazlehurst. She loved…

Shirley Ann Melton, 87, of Lakeland, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. She was born on April 27, 1938, in Comer, to the late Walter Ralph Tucker and Gladys Edith (Black) Tucker. Mrs. Melton was a dedicated and faithful member of Pleasant Way Baptist Church. She devoted many years of service as a secretary…