Wedding (Anniversary) Wednesday!

 

1988, Ancestry.com

Remer Willis 

(1918-1997)

and

Willie Mazie Caraway Willis 

(1923-1992)

Married April 2, 1938
in Vidalia, Toombs, Georgia, USA

"Mr. & Mrs. Remer Willis Mark Golden Wedding Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Remer Willis who reside on Taylor Springs Road were honored on April 2nd when they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. The affair took place at the home of a son, Wade Willis on normantown Road, with children of the couple including Mr. and Mrs. Larry Willis of Griffin; Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Willis of Newnan; Eudine and Royce Teuscher of Orlando, Fla.; Mr. and Mrs. H.T. Taylor of Marshall, Texas; and Mrs. Helen Willis Bass of Griffin as co-host with Mr. and Mrs. Wade Willis.

Both Mr. Willis and his bride of 50 years, the former Mazie Caraway, are natives of Toombs County.

They have 23 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Listed among guests attending the affair were: Bill and Bernice Winn, R.W. and Murline Willis, George and Jeanette Hadden, Joyce Fields, Donnie and Rachel Willis, Stephanie and Sherry, Larry and Faye Willis, Alechia, Nathan and Timothy, Eudine and Royce Teuscher, Chris, Greg and Brian, Wade and Helen Willis, Allen, Jack, Jason, Vickie Stephens and Cory, Janice Humphrey, Jamie, Jennifer, Harry & Betty Taylor, Mrs. S.L. Britt, Darrell & Connie Jones and children, Timothy, Rebecca and Amanda."

Thriller Thursday - A Murder in Vidalia

   On May 28, 2014, Robin Lyn Willis Matthews (1989-2014), a beautiful, young woman, a teacher, wife, daughter, sister, and friend was murdered just for trying to help someone. Someone who, unbeknownst to Robin, was a predator and should have been still in prison for his past crimes.  

  It was a Wednesday evening, and Robin had stopped at Walmart. Security cameras show Simon Dixon Mitchell approaching Robin in the parking lot, they exchange words, and then he climbs into her car.  Turns out, Mitchell asked for a ride to the hospital. Did Robin know him from around town? We don't know if that's possible or, if he was a stranger, why she would give him a ride.  However, a long time friend of Robin's described her as "the kindest and the sweetest" person. She also commented about Robin, "She would do anything for anyone." 

  Later that night, Robin was found dead in her car elsewhere in Vidalia.  She had been stabbed multiple times.  

  The suspect was apprehended quickly.  At his first court appearance the day after the murder, he told the presiding judge that he was as guilty as it gets. 

  This was a crime that was eligible for the death penalty. In order to avoid years of waiting for a trial, Robin's family agreed to a plea deal.  Mitchell claims he would have preferred execution, but agreed to the deal.  He was sentenced to two life sentences plus 30 years. Mitchell would "serve the first life sentence without parole, followed by five years, then the second life sentence followed by five years with an additional 20 years."  That sentence doesn't make sense to me - how do you serve time AFTER a life sentence; isn't that for LIFE???!!! - but bottom line, he should never get out of prison.  

  That part is most important because it turns out he should not have been on the streets in the first place.  He attacked a video store employee in Vidalia in 2006 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for aggravated assault with intent to commit sodomy. He only served 8 years of that sentence and had just been released in January 2014 - a mere four months before Robin was killed.

  I cannot even imagine what her family and friends went through. Her mother, Helen Anderson Willis,  just passed away on March 3, 2025. (See my blog post here.) She is with her sweet daughter again.  

Local

Georgia first-grade teacher stabbed to death

May 29, 2014 at 1:13 pm EDT

TOOMBS COUNTY, Ga. — A man is facing charges after a first-grade teacher was found stabbed to death in Toombs County.

It happened Wednesday night on Highway 292 in Vidalia, according to WTOC.

The Toombs County coroner says Robin Matthews, 24, was killed in her car behind the Vidalia Recreational Department.

Matthews was a first-grade teacher at Lyons Primary School where she just completed her first year. She was a 2008 graduate of Toombs County High School and was recently married.

According to WTOC's Dal Cannady, police arrested Simon Dixon for the crime.

Cannady learned that Dixon had just been released from prison in January 2014. He was serving time for aggravated assault and attempted aggravated sodomy and had been in prison since 2007.

The homicide remains under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Vidalia Police. School counselors in Toombs County say they will be available to help students affected by the tragedy.

WSB-TV Channel 2, Atlanta, Georgia

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Murder suspect awaits bond hearing in teacher's murder

By WTOC Staff

Published: May. 29, 2014 at 6:36 PM EDT|Updated: Jun. 28, 2014 at 9:04 AM EDT

(Source: Toombs Co. Sheriff's Office)

VIDALIA, GA (WTOC) - Friends and co-workers remain horrified at the murder of a Toombs 

County first grade teacher.

Police found Robin Lynn Matthews dead in her car on Old Vidalia Lyons Road off Highway 

292 Wednesday night. Police have a suspect, Simon Dixon, in custody charged with murder.

According to Toombs County Coroner Ronald Hall, Robin Matthews, 24, was killed in her 

car behind the Vidalia Recreational Department.

Matthews was a first grade teacher at Lyons Primary School where she just completed her first year. She was a 2008 graduate of Toombs County High School and recently married.

Life-long friend Ginger Russell was still in disbelief Thursday morning.  "She was the kindest 

person and the sweetest person all her life. She would do anything for anyone, " Russell said.

At Lyons Primary, a counselor was available - even though summer vacation has started - for 

any students who needed someone to talk to about the loss.

"We want them to have that now because she was so beloved and we'll have it this fall when 

students return because she will still be missed then," said principal Sandra Floyd.

After doing some digging, WTOC found out that Dixon had just been released from prison in 

January 2014. He was serving time for aggravated assault and attempted aggravated sodomy 

and had been in prison since 2007.

The homicide remains under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and Vidalia Police.

Dixon remains in the Toombs County Jail, awaiting a bond hearing.

WTOC's Dal Cannady is in Vidalia following this developing story and will have more details 

about the investigation to come. 

WTOC 11 online, Savannah, Georgia

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Fatal stabbing takes the life of a former Brewton-Parker student 

Clipped from: http://dev.bpc.edu/news_and_info/news/2014/May/5-29_Tragedy_takes_life_of_former_Brewton_Parker_student.htm (this link is no longer available.) Brewton-Parker College News online, 2014.

Robin Willis Matthews

On Wednesday evening, May 28, police reports confirm Ms. Robin Willis Matthews was found in her car stabbed to death behind and/or near the Bethany Nursing Home in Vidalia, Georgia. Officials say the 24 year-old first grade school teacher apparently stopped her car long enough for her alleged assailant, Simon Mitchell, whom law enforcement presently has in custody, to fatally stab her to death. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner. According to the GBI and the Toombs County Sheriff's Office, no details will be released until the on-going homicide investigation is complete. 

Many students and faculty at Brewton-Parker College in neighboring Mount Vernon, Georgia are emotionally stunned upon hearing Ms. Matthews’ untimely and tragic death. Newly married but without children, Robin Matthews attended Brewton-Parker College from 2008 until 2011 when she decided to move her major to Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia from which she received her education degree. Up until her untimely death last evening, Matthews was working on her master’s degree at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia. 

According to her Facebook page, Ms. Matthews participated in the Brewton-Parker College cheerleading team during the 2008-2009 school year. Present employees recall her sweet spirit, cooperative attitude, and competitive skill-set. 

Just beginning her professional teaching career in October of last year, Ms. Matthews taught a first grade class at the Lyons Primary School, Lyons, Georgia. Personal friend and educator at the same school, Ms. Millie Price, reflected upon both her personal and professional relationship with Matthews. “She had a very challenging first year at school but she persevered and was looking forward to her first summer break. I am heart-broken to lose such a sweet coworker.” Ms. Price went on to speak of Matthews’ recently reminiscing about her days at Brewton-Parker.  

“Robin spoke to me the last week of school about her time at BPC.  She warmly commented on how she loved to cheer at the basketball games, and how she was pleased to hear cheerleading on campus is much more serious and competitive now than when she was a part of the squad.” 

 Only recently did Ms Matthews judge competition tryouts for next   year’s cheerleading teams at the Toombs County High School.                                                                                                     

Ms. Price, presently serving as the President of the National Alumni for Brewton-Parker College, also mentioned her conversation with Matthews about volunteer service for Brewton-Parker. “Robin and I also recently spoke about her working with me and the Miss BPC volunteers next year." 

Though Ms. Matthews did not officially graduate from Brewton-Parker College, her life and influence made an indelible mark on this community. Her absence brings a sense of both sadness and joy. Sadness because a young, energetic Christian visionary was so brutally and prematurely snatched from our community. Joy because our Lord allowed her to be an influential member of the Brewton-Parker family. 

Matthews poses for
a photo during the 
2008-2009 season.

    May our loving Lord Jesus give Robin Matthews’ family comfort, joy, and peace in their time of need.  

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Simon Dixon Mitchell indicted by grand jury in 
Toombs teacher murder, faces 13 other charges

By WTOC Staff
Published: Sep. 16, 2014 at 9:18 PM EDT|Updated: Oct. 16, 2014 at 9:18 PM EDT

TOOMBS CO., GA (WTOC) - Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney Hayward Altman said Simon Dixon Mitchell was formally indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday for murder and thirteen other charges.

Mitchell faces murder charges for the May stabbing death of 24-year-old elementary school teacher Robin Matthews in Toombs County.

Security footage from Walmart showed Mitchell approaching Matthews, then getting in her car. Minutes later a 911 call was received of someone found dead of stab wounds in a car on Old Vidalia Lyons Road. Mitchell was arrested near the murder scene.

Mitchell was released from prison in January after serving eight years for aggravated assault with intent to commit sodomy. According to police, he attacked an employee at Video Warehouse in 2006.

WTOC 11 online, Savannah, Georgia

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Man sentenced to 2 life sentences, plus 30 years, in murder of Toombs County teacher

By Dal Cannady

Published: Feb. 19, 2015 at 10:31 PM EST|Updated: Mar. 21, 2015 at 9:31 PM EDT

TOOMBS CO., GA (WTOC) - The murder of a first grade teacher in Toombs County last May shocked and saddened a community.

The suspect in that murder told a judge he was guilty as it gets just a day later. On Thursday, prosecutors and the victim's family allowed him to plead guilty and avoid trial.

The plea agreement for Simon Dixon Mitchell in the murder of Robin Matthews comes less than a year after the first grade teacher was stabbed and killed, and a year or more before the death penalty case could go to trial.

Mitchell came to court and pled guilty to murder, kidnapping and lesser charges in the May 2014 death of Matthews. Loved ones showed emotions as prosecutors described how Mitchell approached Matthews in a parking lot and asked for a ride to the hospital and stabbed her to death minutes later.

Mitchell sat in the very seat where he'd told a different judge he was as guilty as it gets during his first court appearance the day after the murder. Prosecutors introduced a sentence of back to back life sentences, plus thirty years, and Judge Kathy Palmer agreed. Mitchell will serve the first life sentence without parole, followed by five years, then the second life sentence followed by five years with an additional 20 years.

District Attorney Hayward Altman said the plea saves the family years of agony waiting for a trial and decades waiting for a possible execution.

“Usually, death penalty cases take three to five years, by the time you have all the motions, the psychological evaluations and hearings,” said Altman. “It takes that long before it can go to trial.”

Dixon apologized to the family and said he'd prefer to be executed, but he's taking the plea to end the case while his own ailing mother is still alive. Loved ones of Matthews told Mitchell in court they hope her name and face stay in his mind for the rest of his life.

Robin was my 4th cousin, 1x removed.  Our common ancestors are Canneth Swain and Sarah Tapley.

Sympathy Saturday - Helen Alexander Willis (1943-2025)

 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.  This week, there was one.

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Helen Alexander Willis, age 82, of Normantown, died Monday, March 3rd, 2025, at her home after an extended illness.  She was a native of Toombs County, grew up in the Toombs Central Community, and was a 1959 graduate of Toombs Central School.   Soon after high school, she and her husband moved to East Palatka, Florida and they lived there until moving to Normantown in 1980.  Helen worked for Toombs County Schools for 10 years and she was active in their family business, Wade Willis Trucking.  She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church, and she enjoyed fishing, farming, gardening, putting up vegetables, going out on the boat in the St. Johns River, shrimping, dove shoots and helping restore tractors.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Wade “Buddy” Willis, three daughters, Penny Willis Connell, Robin Lyn Willis Matthews and Marcy Willis Branson; one son, Jason B. Willis; and sister, Josephine Alexander.

Her family includes five children, Victoria Stephenson of Normantown, Pam Willis Tilton of East Palatka, Florida, Janice Willis Humphrey of Flagler Beach, Florida, Alan Willis and Jack Willis, both of Normantown; one brother, James Floyd Alexander, Jr. and wife Ollie Ann of East Palatka, Florida and one sister, Ruth Alexander Wooten of Jacksonville, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

The graveside funeral service will be Friday morning March 7th at 11:00 at Lakeview Memorial Gardens with Pastor Michael Plowman and Debra NeeSmith officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Baptist Church, PO Box 410, Lyons, GA 30436.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.

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Helen was the wife of my 4th cousin, Lee Wade "Buddy" Willis (1941-2004).  Our common ancestors were Canneth Swain and Sarah Tapley.

Please join me in offering condolences to Helen's family and holding them in the light.