Gary Taft Mercer

Mr. Gary Taft Mercer, age 72, of Sandersville, passed away Saturday, December 16, 2023 following an extended illness.  A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, December 20th at 2:00 p.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville with military honors. The Mercer family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service.  Reverend Tony Mimbs and Reverend Wade Dawson will officiate.  A private entombment will be held at Macon Memorial Park in Macon.

Gary was born in Dublin and reared in Macon, where he graduated high school.  He was son of the late Johnny Taft Mercer, who died early in his life, and was raised by his parents the late Bobby and Laverne Morrison Adams.  Following high school, Gary enlisted in the Marine Corps and proudly served his country for six years during the Viet Nam Conflict.  He returned home and began a 35-year career in the Kaolin Industry beginning with Freeport Kaolin and retiring as a supervisor with Englehard Corp. In retirement, Gary worked for Sandersville Builders Supply.  He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt, especially doves.  He was a member of  Ridgeland Heights Baptist Church where he was a former deacon and church music director.  Gary loved traveling to the mountains and the coast.  In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by two sons, Jason Mercer and Shan Hobb and brother, Andy Mercer.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie Mercer; his four-legged daughter and companion Bella Ann Mercer; sons, Johnny "Scooter" Mercer of Haddock and Shayne Woods of Sandersville; grandchildren, Alexis Clance, Alexis Mercer, Dalton Anderson and Lance Mercer (Jessica); nine great grandchildren; and nieces, Christie Thompson (Bud), Nickie Brooks (Steve), Brandy Faulkner and Michelle Collier (Brian).

The family may be contacted at the Mercer residence on Hwy. 24 West, Sandersville.

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