Death Notices

Macy Champagne Mons, age 22, of Concord, passed away February 2, 2017.  Macy was a 2013 graduate of Pike County High School and Southern Crescent Technical College, receiving both a diploma and a CNA degree.  She enjoyed being with friends and loved animals, especially her cat JoJo. [Full story »] 

Mrs. Rita Ann Slusser Muzik, age 87, of Concord, passed away January 30, 2017. She was born in Ohio, daughter of the late Walter and Alice Slusser. She owned several antiques stores including Rita’s Antiques in Concord. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be greatly missed. Everyone who knew her loved her. [Full story »] 

Mr. Wesley (Boobie) Lamar Harry, age 57, of Zebulon, passed away January 25, 2017, at The Hope House in Griffin.  He was born in Richland, GA, son of the late W. D. Harry and Rachel Lipsey Harry.  He was a construction worker who enjoyed fishing and cooking. Mr. Harry was a member of Smith Lodge #85 in Richland, where he served as past master four times. [Full story »] 

Mr. David Wayne Maddox, age 49, of Jackson, passed away January 24, 2017.  He grew up in Pike County, graduating from Pike County High School in 1985. He worked for the Georgia Department of Corrections in Jackson for twenty years, retiring as Sergeant.  While living in Zebulon, he volunteered with the Pike County Fire Department and coached his daughter’s softball team.  After moving to Jackson, David became a member of Cedar Rock Church. He was a kindhearted man who never met a stranger and enjoyed helping others. In his younger years he enjoyed the outdoors. [Full story »] 

Mr. Chester Walker Bankston, Jr. of Orlando and Edgewater, FL, passed away Wednesday, January 18th, at age 83.  He was born in Zebulon, GA, son of the late Chester Walker Bankston, Sr. and Ethel Milner Bankston. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving in the Seabees as part of the Naval Construction Forces, stationed in Barbados.  He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. Mr. Bankston was a General Contractor, real estate developer, and the owner of C. W. Bankston Construction Co., Inc. in Orlando, Florida, a company that constructed innumerable commercial projects across Central Florida. [Full story »] 

Mrs. Judy Kathryn Pitts Spencer, age 64, of Griffin, in Pike County, passed away January 12, 2017, at her home. She was a life-long resident of Pike County, daughter of the late Lanorris and Oressa Pitts. She was a 1970 graduate of Pike County High School, and a 1973 graduate of the Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, receiving her RN degree. Judy was in the healthcare field for 30 years before retiring. She worked for several local companies, including Spalding Regional Hospital, and was an instructor at Flint River Technical College in Thomaston. Her greatest joy was her family, and she took pride being able to stay home and raise her daughters. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, Nana, sister and friend. [Full story »] 

Mr. James Hugh Smoot, age 72, of Molena, passed away January 12, 2017, at his home. He was born in Molena, son of the late Beecher Smoot and the late Kathleen Bazzell Smoot. He was a hard-working, self-employed drywall contractor. James was a jokester who enjoyed making others laugh. He was a Christian and member of Smyrna Baptist Church, but was recently attending Rehoboth Church of the Nazarene, both in Molena. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Deanne Smoot and brother, Lendon David Smoot. [Full story »] 

Mr. Leroy Coleman Akins, age 78, of Meansville, passed away January 6, 2017.  He was born in Atlanta, son of the late Lloyd F. Akins and the late Florence Daniel Akins. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army. Leroy lived most of his life in Thomaston, and worked for many years as a security guard for the Thomaston Police Department.  He was a jokester, always happy, enjoyed making people laugh, and telling others about Christ. He loved everyone, especially children and animals.  Leroy was a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church, where he and his wife, Jean, sang in the choir. He liked to go to yard sales and cut grass. [Full story »] 

Mr. Danny L. “Kilowatt” Williams, age 54, of Barnesville, passed away January 6, 2017, at Spalding Regional Hospital. [Full story »] 

Mrs. Ella Mae Smith, age 85, of Pike County, passed away January 3, 2017. [Full story »] 


Ms. Mary Wesley Nicholson Flanagan, age 89, of Decatur and later Williamson, passed away December 31, 2016, at Brightmoor Hospice.  She was born in Atlanta, daughter of the late James Wesley Nicholson and Sara Love McDonald Nicholson.  Mary spent many years working at her parent’s store, J.W. Nicholson's Service Station, on Whiteford Avenue in Atlanta. She married Norman Wise Flanagan, a Lieutenant for the city of Atlanta Police Department, and raised two daughters.  She loved to sew, and she sewed all her daughters’ clothes when they were young.  She continued to sew until her eyesight deteriorated.  Mary also had a green thumb and could make even the weakest plants thrive. Her manicured yard was her passion, and she cut her own grass until she was about eighty-four years old. [Full story »] 

Emory Aubrey Dickens, age 73, died peacefully December 26th at his home after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Congestive Heart Failure. [Full story »]