Obituaries

Feb 5, 2025

McDuffie County

James Charles "J.C." Newsome, 90, Thomson, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on February 5, 2025.

He was born in Thomson, Georgia on March 28, 1934, grew up in McDuffie and Warren Counties until graduation when J.C. joined the Navy.  J.C. retired form serving his Country in the Navy where he served in both...

Feb 1, 2025

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce the passing of Mark Alan Finuf, age 65, of Thomson, Georgia, on February 1, 2025.

He was born on June 23, 1959, in Emporia, Kansas and settled in Thomson in 1979 where he helped open, cultivate and eventually became 2nd generation owner of Finuf Sign Company....

Jan 30, 2025

Mrs. JoAnne Parris Hanson, 75, entered into rest January 30, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. JoAnne was born in Washington, GA to the late Marvin William Parris, Sr., and the late Hazel Godowns Parris. She was a lifelong resident of McDuffie County and attended Thomson High School. After high school, she worked for many years at Hoover Treated...

Jan 29, 2025

Mrs. Marcene Olivia Poss Powell, 77, left this world on January 29, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia. Born on April 10, 1947, in Washington, Georgia, Marcene's life was a testament to her intelligence, creativity, and passionate spirit.

Marcene's childhood in Lincoln County were marked by her vibrant leadership and academic achievements. As a 1964 Lincoln County Homecoming Queen...

Jan 26, 2025

Joseph Michael "Mike" Guin, 71 passed away at Wills Memorial Hospital, Washington on January 26, 2025.

Born in Wilkes County, Georgia, on July 26, 1953, to the late J.W. and Betty Jean Cato Guin, Mike was a lifelong resident of the Floral Hill Community, a place he deeply loved and where he established his roots. Mike began...

Jan 26, 2025

Earl William "Billy" Challender passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia, at the age of 68. Born in the picturesque city of Naples, Italy, on December 24, 1956, to the late Earl W. Challender, Sr. and Virginia Ann Watson Challender, Billy's life was a tapestry of experiences woven through the many places his family called home,...

Jan 23, 2025

McDuffie County

Rodney Steven "Steve" Reed, 74, Dearing, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on January 23, 2025.

He was born in Augusta, Georgia at Eisenhower Medical Center on January 13, 1951, grew up in the Augusta area and graduated from Glenn Hills High School in 1970.

Steve served as a Master Mason and ...

Jan 21, 2025

John Martin Pavlich, affectionately known as Johnny, died on January 21, 2025, at his home in Lincolnton, Georgia, just shy of his 81st birthday. Born on January 26, 1944, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, he was the beloved son of the late Martin Pavlich and Mildred Bradler Pavlich. He is survived by his wife, Kitten (Carol Ann); his daughter, Kris Shea,...

Jan 19, 2025

Gregory Nelson Montgomery, Sr.

Martinez, Georgia

With hearts broken and eyes filled with tears, we share the passing of Gregory Nelson Montgomery, Sr., 66, of Martinez, Georgia, on January 19, 2025. Born on February 17, 1958, in Kenton County, Kentucky. Gregory's life was a remarkable testament to strength, love and unwavering devotion to those who...

Jan 17, 2025

Larry Collins passed away on January 17, 2025, surrounded by his family.  Larry was born in McCormick, South Carolina in 1946 and grew up in Cotter, Arkansas, but he called Lincolnton, Georgia, his home for more than four decades.  Larry married Emmye Ward in 1977 at Lincolnton Presbyterian Church, and they shared more than forty-seven years of marriage and...

Jan 16, 2025

McDuffie County

Lewis "Byrd" Rogers, 79, Thomson, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on January 16, 2025.

He was born in Washington, Georgia on September 4, 1945, grew up in Boneville and Wrens, Georgia, graduated from Wrens High School, furthered his education with some college and has lived most of his life in McDuffie County.  Byrd...

Jan 16, 2025

McDuffie County

Jeffery "Tater" Wayne Marsh, Sr., 57, Thomson, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on January 16, 2025.

Tater was born in Washington, Georgia on June 12, 1967, grew up in Thomson, Georgia.  He has lived in McDuffie County all his life and worked in maintenance at Kingsley Mill for many years. Tater was Baptist...

Jan 15, 2025

McDuffie County

Larry Carlton Murray, 81, Dearing, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on January 15, 2025.

He was born in Washington, Georgia on April 18, 1943, grew up in Dearing, Georgia,  and lived most of his life in Dearing.  Upon graduating from Thomson High School, he enlisted in the Navy Seabees during the Vietnam War...

Jan 15, 2025

McDuffie County

Kenneth Vernon Faglier, 74, Dearing, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on January 15, 2025.

He was born in Glascock County on October 29, 1950, and lived most of his life in McDuffie County. He was a carpenter with Carpenter Millwright Local Union 283.  Kenneth was Baptist by faith and a member of Mt....

Jan 14, 2025

Daniel Bunch Dawkins Sr., affectionately known as "Danny Boy" to those that grew up with him and adoringly referred to as "Pap" by his grandchildren and their friends, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia, at the age of 72. Though he took his last breath in Augusta, his last memory will be his nap in...

Jan 13, 2025

McDuffie County

Inez Denham Nichols, 92, of Thomson, Georgia, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Lake Crossing Health Center in Appling after a long battle with dementia. She was the beloved wife of the late James R. Nichols.

Mrs. Nichols was a native of Lincoln County but moved to Thomson in 1944. A...

Jan 10, 2025

McDuffie County

Elizabeth "Tootie" Cranford Cushman, 64, of Thomson, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on January 05, 2025.

She was born in Augusta, Georgia on January 24, 1960, grew up in Thomson, Georgia. Tootie graduated from Thomson High School and visited Prospect United Methodist Church when she was able.  Full of love and laughter, she...

Jan 8, 2025

John Gilbert Ludwig, Sr., known as "Big John," to family and friends alike, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2025 in the same house in Lincolnton, Georgia, where he first entered the world on February 16, 1942, the beloved son of the late John and Lydia Gassaway Simmons. It was here, amidst the familiar surroundings of his birthplace, that...

Jan 5, 2025

McDuffie County

Betty Gilbert Rodgers, 92, Thomson, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on January 5, 2025 at her home.

Betty was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on September 15, 1932, grew up in Alabama, lived most of her life in Camak, GA and relocated to Thomson, Georgia approximately 20 years ago.  She was Baptist by faith...

Jan 4, 2025

McDuffie County

Thomson, GA – Ms. Susan Frances Driver, 61, entered into rest January 4, 2025 at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta.

Forever the baby of four girls, Susan grew up in Thomson and was the daughter of the late Gaines and Frances Driver. She had her father's sense of humor, her mother's...