Edgar J. Flemister, Jr.

Edgar (Ed) Jefferson Flemister, Jr. died peacefully at his residence on Saturday morning, May 2, 2026. Although Ed had heart issues for many years, he died from complications of Parkinsons Disease. It is an insidious disease which takes so much from its victim.

Ed was born on February 6, 1944, to the late Edgar J. Flemister and Betty Sheppard Flemister in Sandersville, Georgia. He attended the public school in Rome, Georgia, and later when his parents returned to Sandersville, he attended the public schools of Washington County, Georgia, and graduated from Washington County High School with the Class of 1962.

He then attended Georgia Southern College (now University) and graduated with a degree in Finance. After graduation he volunteered for the United States Navy, where he served with NAVAUPACT in Danang, Vietnam. He served at sea on the USS Ranger aircraft carrier. After his carrier service, he was in charge of a major supply depot in country with a number of Marines serving under him. While there, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He was honorably discharged and returned home to Sandersville, where he joined the family business, Flemister Oil Company, which he managed, along with numerous convenience stores, until his retirement and the sale of the company in 2001.

He married his high school sweetheart, Ann Lockhart, in 1970. They were blessed with a son in 1973 and were happily married until Ann’s death in 2003.

Ed not only served his country, he served his community as a member of the Lions Club, sponsored E.J. ‘s softball team managed by the late Larry Mitchell, a member of the Twin City Country Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and was the local representative of the Red Cross assisting service members in returning home from overseas for family emergencies.

He was a passionate NASCAR fan and attended many races and was also an avid Georgia Bulldog fan as a season ticket holder for years. To say he thoroughly enjoyed the races and the ballgames is an understatement.

In 2005, two years after Ann’s death, Ed was introduced to Priscilla Lovejoy, who was living in Hancock County, by Barbara Poole West, and Ed and Priscilla had their first date in June, where they double dated with Barbara and Mark West. After that first date, they both knew their futures would be joined together. On November 18, 2006, he and Priscilla were married and enjoyed 20 happy years together. Priscilla had told Ed to pick out the date for the wedding and only much later found out he picked the date because it was the only Saturday the Dawgs were not playing that season.

Though a world class worrier, Ed was kind-hearted, compassionate, and devoted to his family. Surviving him and missing him forever are his wife, Priscilla Lovejoy Flemister; his son, Edgar J. (Jeff) Flemister, III; his brother, Aubrey McKay (Mack) Flemister; his favorite cousin Edwin L. Thompson and his wife Marianne; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ben and Marlene Lovejoy; and too many close friends and in-laws to name.

Ed had many wonderful and devoted doctors through the years, again too many to name, but especially his cardiologist, Dr. Arthur B. Chandler, in Augusta, who was not only his doctor but a friend as well.

There are no words to express the love and support of our caretakers, Mary Ingram Hagans (who was with Ed for 30+ years); Kenneth Price; Renee Merrell Johnson; Shirley Landers, Anthony Brady, and Sabrina Landers. They were totally devoted to Ed’s care and comfort for years and made it possible for Ed to stay at home. (Ed always said that Mary had to interview Priscilla before he would ask her to marry him).

Many thanks to the Pruitt Hospice Staff who gave Ed the utmost care and attention for the last seven months of his life, and also to all the staff at Washington County Regional Medical Center including the staff of the swing bed section, and the University Home Health nurses and Colleen Carter, his physical therapist, for all they have done for Ed for many years.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. at May & Smith Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 6, with a service to follow at 2:00 in May and Smith Chapel. Reverend Jonathan Shepard, the Hospice Chaplain who meant so much to both Ed and Priscilla, will officiate. Pallbearers will be Hudson Avant, Jeffrey Cramer, Eric (Smitty) Smith, Zebulon Scott, Jon Lee, and Eric Davis.

Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Irwin, Bill Murphy, Robert Patrick, Ronnie Johnson, Kenneth Price, Jimmy Wolfe and Buddy Hudson.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Sandersville First Baptist Church Family Assistance Fund, 316 Mathis Circle, Sandersville, GA 31082 or to the Michael J. Fox The Parkinson's Foundation, Grand Central Station, P. O. 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Please leave an online condolence at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.