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. This week there are two who actually passed away a few months ago as I got behind on email for while. So I may be doubling up for a few weeks.

    Please join me in offering condolences to their families and holding them in the light.

Rita Tapley Marshall
April 20, 1942 - May 14, 2026
Waycross, Ware, Georgia, USA

Rita Tapley "Nanu" Marshall, 84, died peacefully in her sleep early Thursday morning (May 14, 2026) following a brief illness at Waycross Health and Rehabilitation.

She was born in Villa Rica GA, had lived most of her life in Marietta GA before making her home in Waycross for the past 8 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harley Eugene Marshall, a son Kevin Howard Marshall and her parents Carl Norman Tapley and Roberta Lee Tapley.

She was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church and the Adult Ladies 2. Sunday School Class.

Survivors include her son: David Marshall (wife Briana), a granddaughter, Isabela Marshall, and a grandson, Elijah Marshall all of Waycross; a sister: Cathy Miller (husband Art) of Magnolia Springs AL, and two nephews, Drew Miller of Magnolia Springs, AL and Ben Miller of Tallapoosa GA.

In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be made to Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 7136 Central Ave, Waycross, GA 31503 or online at www.pvbcwaycross.org.

A committal service will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday (May 16, 2026) in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Villa Rica, GA.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday (May 26, 2026) at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church Fellowship Hall.

Sympathy can be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com.

Music Funeral Home of Waycross is in charge of arrangements.

Marcella Diane Nail Sapp
July 08, 1967 - June 01, 2026

Marcella Diane Sapp, 58, entered into eternal rest on June 1, 2026, at Community Hospice.

Born on July 8, 1967, Marcella was the daughter of Velma Beasley Curl of Reidsville and Ben L. Nail of Collins. She was a 1985 graduate of Pinewood Christian Academy and knew from an early age that she was called to become a teacher. She attended Georgia Southern University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Early Childhood Education.

Marcella devoted her life to teaching and nurturing young minds. During her career, she taught in the Tattnall, Montgomery, and Wheeler County school systems. Although she never had children of her own, she lovingly considered her students to be her children. She poured her heart into the classroom and touched the lives of countless students and their families through her compassion, patience, and dedication.

A faithful member of First Baptist Church of Lyons, Marcella’s life was grounded in her Christian faith. Shortly after beginning her teaching career, she married the love of her life, William “Lee” Sapp of Lyons. Together they shared more than thirty-one years of marriage built on faith, love, laughter, and unwavering devotion.

In November 2004, Marcella was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, a diagnosis that ultimately prevented her from returning to the classroom she loved so dearly. Through every challenge that followed, Lee remained faithfully by her side, honoring the vows he made before God. Despite the limitations imposed by her illness, Marcella and Lee continued to enjoy road trips and make cherished memories together for many years.

In January 2023, Marcella’s health declined further, leaving her bedridden. Yet even then, her mind remained as sharp as ever. She enjoyed talking on the phone with family and friends, sharing good food, and watching her favorite television programs. Though her earthly body endured many hardships, Marcella rarely complained. Those closest to her knew that if she voiced her struggles, it was in prayer. In her Bible, she had marked Psalm 143, a quiet testimony to the faith that sustained her through difficult days. Though she seldom shared her burdens with others, she faithfully carried them to the Lord in prayer.

Marcella will be remembered for her loving heart, her dedication to education, her quiet strength, and her steadfast faith in God. Her grace in the face of adversity was an inspiration to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her stepmother, Kay Lively Nail; her brother-in-law, Dewey O. Batton; and her grandparents, Otis and Jessie Beasley and Frank and Eunice Nail.

Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of more than thirty-one years, William “Lee” Sapp; her beloved fur babies; her mother and stepfather, Velma and Gary Curl of Reidsville; her father, Ben L. Nail of Collins; her sister, Melissa Batton of Lyons; her brother, Brent Nail (MaryLynn) of Bishop; her niece, Laura Johnson of Lebanon, Tennessee; her nephew, Ben Johnson of Atlanta; her nephew, Garrett Nail, and her niece, Gracen Nail, both of Bishop; her great-nephews, Camdon Cody and Carson Cody of Lebanon, Tennessee; and numerous extended family members, former students, and dear friends.

A graveside funeral service celebrating Marcella’s life will be held on Saturday morning, June 6th, 2026, at 10:00 at Cedar Creek Primitive Baptist Church, 1199 Cedar Creek Church Road, Collins, Georgia. Pastor Brian Durden will officiate.

Pallbearers are Brent Nail, Garrett Nail, James Rogers, Joe Skeens, Ben Johnson, and Tommy Kennedy.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice Foundation, PO Box 2277, Vidalia, GA 30475, in Marcella’s memory.

Though she is no longer with us, Marcella’s legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the students she inspired, and the family and friends who were blessed to know and love her.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

Written by her sister, Melissa.

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. This week there are two that actually passed away last year. I got behind on email for while, but I did not think I was that behind. I am not sure how I missed them.

Please join me in offering condolences to their families and holding them in the light.

William 'Billy' Anthony Minton
May 2, 1949 - May 29, 2025
Swainsboro, GA

William Anthony Minton, Billy, Husband, Daddy, Paw Paw, Loggerhead

Billy was brought into this world on May 2, 1949 to the late Eddie Minton and Vina Bell Brantley and had four siblings; Lamar, Eloise, Martha, and Jack. He had several nieces and nephews. In his youth, Billy lived on a farm in Kite, Ga. and enjoyed hunting and fishing which was a hobby that continued throughout his life. During his high school years, Billy was a multi-sport athlete but his height and skills at center on the basketball court set him apart from other players. 

After high school, he attended Brewton Parker College and later transferred to Georgia Southern. Afterwards, he began a career at Thermo King in Louisville, Ga., became a National Guardsman, and eventually became owner of Billy Jack’s Bar and Lounge where he enjoyed and appreciated all his friends and customers. He was well known for making his famous Tom Collins drink which people stated was the best in five counties. It was also known that he and his brother Jack were the undisputed tag team champion bouncers.

The time his life really began to change was when he met a fiery red headed woman, Loraine Frederick from Norristown, who had two sons, Robert and Reagan Moxley. Shortly afterwards came a cute little Loggerhead Jr., William Andrew Minton. Billy enjoyed taking his boys dog deer hunting, riding dirt roads looking for deer tracks, fishing the Ogeechee River, watching Scooby-Doo every morning, and telling the same story over and over and over. He was also a master of making sure his boys were doing a job correctly while he stood back displaying his first-class instructing skills.

Billy and Loraine enjoyed sight-seeing while riding around Emanuel and surrounding counties. They would stop and eat lunch at small restaurants or grab some fried chicken from a convenience store. Loraine would eat a couple of bites and give Billy the leftovers.

His family continued to grow with the addition of two daughters-in-law, Marcie Jelf (Robert) and Joni McCoy (Reagan). His greatest prizes in life were his four grandchildren. River and Raimy Moxley (Joni and Reagan), Audrey Moxley (Robert and Marcie), and Willow Minton (Andrew). 

A private ceremony will be held at a later date.

Agnes Logue Harrison
September 14, 1931 - June 04, 2025
Kite, Georgia

Mrs. Agnes Harrison, 93, of Kite passed away at her residence on June 4, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on September 14, 1931, to the late Thomas and Marie Logue. Mrs. Agnes loved cooking and caring for her family. She worked for many years in the Kite school system, managing the school’s lunchroom. She was a long-time member of the Kite Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Talmadge Ovid Harrison, her parents, a son, Terry Harrison, a sister, Elizabeth Dickens, and her brothers, Gilbert Logue, Dupree Logue, Emory Logue, Lamar Logue, Clayton Logue, and Bill Logue.

She is survived by her children, Ron (Patricia) Harrison, Guy (Cathy) Harrison, Jim Harrison, and Marie (Mickey) Mimbs, ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, her sister, Katherine (George) Harrison, special friend, Inez Thomas.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Kite First Baptist Church at 4pm with Rev. Burton Dixon officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00pm until 4:00pm.

Interment will follow at the Kite City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Connor Harrison, Tommy Logue, Aaron Harrison, David Wood, Michael Harrison, and William Harrison.

The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to University Home Health Services, nurse Sherie Lawrence, and Angela Wood for their care of Mrs. Harrison.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements Mrs. Agnes Harrison, 93, of Kite.

Sunday's Obituary

Newspapers.com, The Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, Monday, November 24, 2014, Page C3

Sunday's Obituary

 

Newspapers.com, The Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia
Friday, April 23, 2004, Page 26

Doris Edna Anderson Caraway
March 29, 1912 - April 21, 2004

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. This week there is someone who actually passed away a few weeks ago.

Official Obituary of

Danny Beasley

October 28, 1946 - May 29, 2026

Danny Beasley, 79 of Panama City passed away on May 29, 2026. He was born on October 28, 1946, in Emanuel County, Georgia.

He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. Following his military service, he dedicated 35 years to Lockheed Martin, where he retired as a respected launch supervisor.

A passionate musician, he was a founding member of Danny and The Breakaway Band and shared his love of music with countless audiences over a span of more than 60 years, continuing to play as recently as last year.

He was also a proud member of both AM Vets and VFW, reflecting his lifelong commitment to service and community.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Beasley; parents, Hilmer and Mary Beasley.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Bryan C. Beasley; grandson, Brendan C. Beasley; nephews, Richie Breedlove and Nathan Foskey. He is also remembered by his sister, Donna and husband Hugh Foskey, along with 100’s of friends.

A Final Farewell will be held Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 2:00 until 3:00 pm. Mr. Beasley will be laid to rest in the Parker Cemetery on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

Heritage Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Danny Beasley.

    - https://www.heritagefhllc.com/obituaries/Danny-Beasley?obId=48559337

    When this obituary showed up in my inbox, I had no idea that I was related to him.  However, I always read obituaries carefully because a clue could be in any name mentioned, i.e., parents, grand-parents, siblings, in-laws, etc.  That is what happened here.  Nothing was clicking until I saw his brother-in-law's name. It sounded familiar.  Sure enough, he was in my family tree - related to me through the Drakes. This lead me to do some more digging and checking with my knowledgeable cousin, Loraine, and I discovered that I am also related to him and his sister through my Page line!  Believe me, it is a small world in Emanuel and Johnson counties!  

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

Sunday's Obituary

Randel Gorden Wheeler

July 3, 1956-January 17, 2026

Kite, GA

Kite, GA- Randel Gorden Wheeler, 69, entered into rest January 17, 2026.

Randel was the son of the late Dudley and Sara “Liz” Wheeler and graduated from Butler High School. He enjoyed all types of racing from dirt track, drag racing, and NASCAR. He was an accomplished bowler who had over two 300 games and competed in leagues for many years. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing but most of all he loved his family.

Family members include his children: Tracy Stubblefield and Randy Wheeler (April); grandchildren: Macie Barela (Paul), Shawn Ford, Wyatt Wheeler, Ellie Kate Wheeler, and Gordon Wheeler; brother: Ronnie Wheeler (Wanda); longtime partner and friend: Maye Lowers; and numerous extended family members.

The family will receive friends on Monday, February 2, 2026 from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.  Obituary courtesy of Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, www.thomaspoteet.com/obituaries/randel-wheeler

    Nowadays, a LOT of the obituaries I find in my research are online from the funeral homes' sites, especially recent obituaries.  I always check Newspapers.com (a paid site that I have a subscription to) first, but if the obituary is from the last, I don't know, 10 years or so OR it's in a newspaper that is not on Newspapers.com, like the Augusta newspaper, I will not find it.  

    That's when I do a general Google search with the person's name, indicate it's an obituary I am looking for, the year and the state when and where the person died. Most of the time, if nothing else comes up in my results, Legacy.com will.  

    I also have an automatic Google search that goes out and searches for the Tapley and other family names daily and sends me the results.  I am signed up with several funeral homes to receive obituaries every day.  So it is rare that an obituary gets by me.  Oh, it happens, but I catch most of them.  

    I do not recall how I found out about Randy Wheeler passing away.  I did not know Randy, but he was my cousin, and when I found they were having a visitation here in Augusta, I decided to attend.  That's actually a bold move for me.  I don't usually "crash" funerals or visitations, but something told me this was the time.  I enlisted my cousin, Keith, to go with me.  He is always up for meeting people.

    And... it turned out to be a great experience.  We met Randy's son and his wife, his daughter, his grandson, and his brother and sister-in-law.  They were all so gracious and seemed genuinely glad we came.  As soon as we said we were family, we were welcomed.  I am grateful for that reaction and so glad we decided to go.  

    The lesson for me that I have to keep re-learning?  Push myself out of my comfort zone and good things can happen.

Sunday's Obituary

Newspapers.com, The Macon Telegraph,
Macon, Georgia, Saturday, July 07, 1956, Page 9

Tabitha "Bosh" Tapley Lampp

b. 10 Mar 1875 in Johnson County, Georgia, USA

d. 03 July 1956 in Louisville, Jefferson, Georgia, USA

Sympathy Saturday

    Sympathy Saturday is 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. So when I share one, it might be from a week or two ago.

Official Obituary of

James Thomas Claxton

April 30, 1936 ~ April 12, 2025 (age 88) Mr. James Thomas Claxton, age 88, of Tarrytown, died peacefully April 12, 2025, at Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia

surrounded by his loving family.  He was born April 30, 1936, to Dock and Annie Brantley Claxton in Uvalda, Georgia.  He was a

charter member of Cornerstone Baptist Church where he had served as a deacon.  He graduated from Toombs Central High School

in 1954.  He was a proud Army veteran and a master machinist.  He was co-owner of Sikes Machine Shop in Metter for many years

and was known for his expertise in the field.  James loved Jesus and lived a life that exemplified his faith.  He was a devoted husband

and father and especially enjoyed his role as “Pa Pa” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He played guitar and enjoyed

playing and singing gospel music.  He passed on his love and knowledge of the guitar to his sons and grandsons.  He is preceded in

death by a son, Joel Claxton; a grandson, Wil Ramsey; two brothers, Horace Claxton and Edwin Claxton; and a sister Sandra Clark.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kay Memory Claxton; two sons, Greg Claxton and wife Karen, and Marty Morris and wife Mary; one daughter, Ginger McRae and husband Philip; five grandsons, Les Ramsey, Kevin Morris, Charlie Morris, Corey Claxton, and Troy Claxton; one granddaughter, Hannah Autry; ten great grandchildren; sisters Hortense Barnes, Velma Bryan, and Dorothy Day; brother-in-law JH Memory, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be Wednesday afternoon, April 16, 2025, at 3:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Pastor Gaynor Ridgdill and nephew, Johnny Bryan officiating.  Burial will follow in the Williamson Family Cemetery in Montgomery County.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 until just prior to the service.

Pallbearers will be Les Ramsey, Kevin Morris, Charlie Morris, Corey Claxton, Troy Claxton, Cade Ramsey, Wynn Ramsey, and Ashley Lewis

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church, 3429 GA Hwy 29, Vidalia, GA 30474.

The family would like to thank the staff of Meadows Hospital and Community Hospice for their loving care of James.

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

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

James is my 3rd cousin, 1x removed.  Our common ancestors were
Zachariah William Claxton and Lincelia 'Lincely' Bush Claxton.

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