Sympathy Saturday

 Sympathy Saturday will be where I share the obituaries and my condolences for members of my family tree who passed recently.  When you get to be a certain age, you begin to read the obituaries every day.  As the days go by, you read about more and more of your friends and family members who have died.  You compare their age to your own and get a jolt. "That could have been me." 

    For genealogists, checking obituaries and visiting cemeteries is as normal as breathing. I learn so much from an obituary, i.e., maiden names, parents' names; children's' and grandchildren's' names, funeral and burial locations, sometimes even a cause of death.  I want to learn these things not for any purpose but to put it on the family tree for future generations to see and learn about the family that went before them. I admit, most of these relatives I have never met, but I think it is important to share that they were here on this Earth, and they were important.

    So I am signed up with at least three funerals homes from Swainsboro, Vidalia, and Wrightsville to get daily notices of obituaries sent to my email.  Every day, I peruse them and with the help of the family tree, figure out who is related to me and add any new information to the tree. Some weeks there are several, and some weeks there are none. We have one this week

    Please join me in offering condolences to his family and holding them in the light.

Eugene T 'Gene' Tapley

1941-2026

Cochran, Bleckley County, Georgia, USA

Gene Tapley passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2026. His life was marked by hard work, perseverance, and determination. With God’s help and an unwavering spirit, Gene overcame several serious illnesses and lived a remarkable life.

Born on June 27, 1941, in Montgomery County, Georgia, Gene was the sixth of eight children born to Blount and Ethel Tapley. He graduated from Vidalia High School in 1962. The following year, he married Betty Davis, and they made their home in Macon, Georgia. Gene worked for Davison’s for eleven years before beginning a twenty-year career with Georgia Power in sales and residential marketing. In 2003, he and Betty moved to Cochran, Georgia, where they enjoyed retirement, established a new home, and formed cherished friendships. A member of First Baptist Church of Cochran, Gene served as an usher and greeter, welcoming others into the church. Gene is survived by his son, Greg (Fran) Tapley of Forsyth, Georgia; his son-in-law, Casey Daniel of Macon, Georgia; his daughter, Erin (Chris) Burch of Hawkinsville, Georgia; five grandchildren, Gibson and Bryce Daniel, Pierce Tapley, and Carl and Gene Davis Burch; four sisters; and one sister-in-law. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Betty Davis Tapley; his daughter, Kris Daniel; two brothers; and one sister. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Mathis Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Cochran. Burial will be in Evergreen Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to stjude.org or to CureSMA.org The family is at 120 Jeanne Dr., Cochran.