Area Obituaries

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…

Judy Eason Mann, 85, of Jesup, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026 under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.  The Wayne County native and former resident of Surrency had lived most of her life in Jesup and was a member of Jesup First Freewill Baptist Church.  Judy was a retired paraprofessional with the…

     Myrtle Lou Blanton, 93, of Surrency passed away Saturday, January 24, 2026 at her residence under the care of Coastal Hospice. Mrs. Blanton was born December 20, 1932 in Surrency to the late Wille Clifford Mann and the late Alma Reddish Mann. She was a faithful member of Surrency Free Will Baptist Church and…

Vance Yawn, 64, of Baxley passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Memorial Hospital in Savannah under the care of Georgia Hospice. Vance was born May 3, 1961 in Baxley to the late Vance Joseph Yawn and the late Donnell Sellers Yawn. He was a truck driver for Triple A Cooper and was a Veteran…

Jonnie Archer Teston, 68, of Baxley passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at her residence under the care of Comfort Care Hospice. Mrs. Teston was born January 1, 1958 in Sullivan, Indiana to the late John William Archer and the late Iva Lee Laslie Archer.  She was a member of Baxley Church of God and…

Dorothy Mae Holcomb, a beloved wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother also known as “Nana”, and sister, passed away peacefully under the care of Hospice Satilla in her home on January 19, 2026 at the age of 77, surrounded by her loving family and the peace of God. The Wayne County native had lived most of…

     Joann Milikin Beecher, 86, of Baxley passed away Monday, January 19, 2026 at her home under the care of Coastal Hospice. Mrs. Beecher was born September 9, 1939 in Appling County to the late Manley B. “Bark” Milikin and the late Aline “Sister” Holland Milikin.  Mrs. Beecher was a dedicated member of Spring Branch…