Local obituaries for May & Smith Funeral Directors

Aug 11, 2024

Marion Hanson Williams, Age 102, formerly of Athens, Georgia, died August 11, 2024, at the home of her daughter, Krista Williams Lamar of Aiken, South Carolina.

Marion was a native of Brookings, South Dakota and grew up with a host of cousins across Eastern South Dakota, Iowa, and Southern Minnesota. Her grandfather, Anders Hanson, had immigrated from...

Jul 28, 2024

Ms. Debra Ann Russell, age 67 of East Dublin, passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024 following a brief illness. Per her wishes there will be no services.

Ms. Russell was born in Dublin, the daughter of the late Ernest Clifford Russell and the late Jessie Mae Newsome Russell. She spent a majority of her working career...

Jul 27, 2024

Mr. Jerry Grady Davis, Sr., age 74, of Ellington Rd, Hiawassee, GA passed away peacefully on Saturday July 27, 2024, at his home following an extended illness.  Mr. Davis was born on May 7, 1950, in Washington County, GA, the son of the late Joe Brown Davis and the late Mary Francis Johnson Davis.  Jerry was raised in Sandersville,...

Jul 26, 2024

Mr. Capers O'Dell Brazzell, age 83, of Morningside Drive, Sandersville, passed away at his residence July 26, 2024 following an extended illness.  A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, August 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at the Sandersville United Methodist Church.  Reverend Dr. Stan Littleton will officiate.   Mr. Brazzell's family will receive friends following the memorial...

Jul 24, 2024

Oran Sanford Freeman, age 93, of Baxley passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at his home.

Mr. Freeman was born January 16, 1931 in Washington County to Lester Freeman and Ollie Ross Freeman.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by brothers, Lester Monroe Freeman, Jr., Dr. G. Ross Freeman, Rev. Ramus G. Freeman,...

Jul 23, 2024

Mr. Charles Wayne "Willie" Brooks, age 79, of Sandersville passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at Washington County Extended Care Facility following an extended illness.   A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at a later date.

Wayne was born and reared in Washington County son of the late Charles Arthur Brooks and the late...

Jul 23, 2024

Mr. Edsel Scarboro Sr., age 88, of Sandersville, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his residence on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 following an extended illness.  A family only graveside service will be held in the Sandersville Old City Cemetery.

Mr. Scarboro was born and reared in Bartow the son of the late James Havey Scarboro and...

Jul 22, 2024

Mrs. Mary Virginia Lindsey Lafreniere, age 70, of Jacksonville, FL., passed away on July 22, 2024.  A graveside memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Friday, August 9th at 11:00 a.m. at Piney Mount United Methodist Church Cemetery. Reverend Gary Griffin will officiate. Her family will greet friends at graveside.

Virginia was born and raised...

Jul 21, 2024

Mr. Billy Mervin Williford, age 71, of Tennille passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024.  A graveside funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, July 24th at 11:00 a.m. in Brownwood Cemetery in Sandersville.  Reverends Bobby Williford and Stacey Williford will officiate.  Billy's family will receive friends Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at May...

Jul 21, 2024

Ms. Linda Rosemary Oliver McNeill, age 79, of Tennille, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 21, 2024, following an extended illness.  A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Sunday, July 28th at 1:00 p.m. at the May and Smith Funeral Directors Chapel.  Pastor Kenneth Rogers will officiate.  Ms. McNeill's family will receive friends following the service,...

Jul 11, 2024

Mr. James Allen May, age 77, of Jonesboro, passed away on July 11, 2024. He went to Georgia Tech, Georgia State, graduated from Woodrow Wilson Law School and was a Music Minister. He served several churches, Trinity Baptist Church in Smyrna, Buckhead Baptist Church in Atlanta, Bethel Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Norton Park Baptist Church in Smyrna and North...

Jul 11, 2024

Mrs. Leonnell Tharpe Scarboro, age 88 of Harrison passed away at her residence on Thursday, July 11, 2024. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., Harrison Baptist Church, with Reverend Larry Sprouse officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00...

Jul 10, 2024

Mr. Darrell Wayne Bedgood, age 76, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Sandersville, Georgia. The family will receive friends on Monday, July 29, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until he hour...

Jul 8, 2024

With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Gaynelle Haralson Turk, a beloved wife, cherished mother, grandmother, and faithful member of Sister’s Baptist Church in Sandersville, GA. Gaynelle departed from this world on July 8, 2024 at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy of love and kindness that will forever be cherished by those who were fortunate...

Jul 3, 2024

Sandra Bonita (Bonnie) Tanner, age 81, passed away suddenly Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Nahunta, Georgia.

Bonnie Tanner was born in Charlotte, North Carolina to the late Dr. A. Durward and Alowe Hitchcock Kesler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mell Jordan Tanner, Jr. and her brother, Walter Durward Kesler....

Jun 30, 2024

Mr. Danny Joe “Joby” Blount, age 63, of Hwy 242, Sandersville, passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Sandersville First Church of the Nazarene, with a private family interment following the service. Reverend Danny...

Jun 27, 2024

Mr. Russell Joiner, age 73, of Highway 15 North, Wrightsville, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2024.  A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, June 29th at 11:00 a.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville, with burial in Westview Cemetery in Wrightsville.  Keith Joiner and Michael Bailey will officiate.  Pallbearers will be Tyler...

Jun 27, 2024

Our beloved William “Bill” J. Sopp completed his trip to heaven on June 27th, 2024, at the age of 78. Bill passed peacefully and surrounded by loved ones.

Bill was a fiercely generous, hardworking, and devoted man who could never bring himself to say an ill word about anyone. Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA, he became the...

Jun 25, 2024

Mr. Francis Jackson, age 87, of Tennille, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his residence, Tuesday, June 25, 2024.  A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, June 28th, at 2:00 p.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville, with burial in Zeta Cemetery in Tennille.  Reverend Danny Thomas and Reverend Bill Snipes will...

Jun 25, 2024

Mrs. Susie Rhodes Bilimoria, age 68 of Sun City passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Brightmoor Nursing Center. Mrs. Bilimoria was born on June 29, 1955, in Sandersville, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Rhodes and Faye Shurling Rhodes; aunts, Newell Thompson and Amie Pearson; uncles, Jack Shurling, J.W. Rhodes, Sam Rhodes, Tommy...