Swain Funeral Home

02/23/2026

Willene Hughes Lovett

Willene Hughes Lovett, age 67, of Lumber City, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at her residence under the care of Regency Southern Care Hospice.

Willene was born September 16, 1958 in Bacon County to the late Bonnie Hughes and the late Lenora Hand Hughes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Henry Lovett, and her brother, James Edward Hughes. She retired from Interfor and enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include her daughter, Laurie (Thomas) Sawyer of Tullahoma, TN; son, Bonnie (Amy) Imler of Lumber City; sisters, Shirley Lovett and Knellie (Keith) Browning both of Hazlehurst; brother, David Hughes of Hazlehurst; grandchildren, Marcia (Tommy) Torres-Garcia of Normandy, TN, Elizabeth (Daniel) Torres of Murfreesboro, TN; Jonathan (Tabetha) Torres of Griffin, and Teja (Jack) Anderson of Tullahoma, TN; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home with Rev. Earl Wiggins, Rev. Dean Davis, and Rev. Don Dixon Officiating. Interment will follow in Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Randy Carter, David Fountatin, Lamar Leggett, Jonathan Torres, Tommy Garcia, and Harvey Rowland.

Honorary pallbearers will be all friends and family in attendance.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.

View Willene Hughes Lovett's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/17/2026

02/16/2026

Mary E. Stone

Mary E. Stone, age 72, of Hazlehurst passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at her residence under the care of Georgia Hospice Care.

Mrs. Stone, born October 22, 1953, in Jeff Davis County, was the beloved daughter of the late Raymond Turner and Bernice Tomberlin Turner. A member of Southside Baptist Church, she lived her life with a joyful spirit that touched everyone around her. Known for her infectious laughter, warm personality, and radiant smile, she brought light and comfort to all who met her.

She was co‑owner of the Sears Catalog Store and later proudly owned and operated Merle Norman in Hazlehurst, where she built lasting relationships within her community. Above all, Mrs. Stone cherished her family deeply, and her love for them was evident in every part of her life.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Stone was preceded in death by a brother, Mike Turner, Sr.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Darnell Stone of Hazlehurst; daughters, Shelly (Chris) Roppe and Candace (Eric) King both of Hazlehurst; son, Chad (Kristy) Stone of Tifton; brothers, Raymond Turner Jr. of McDonough, John (Trish) Turner and Steve Turner both of Hazlehurst; and five grandchildren also survive.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church with Rev. Chad Stone, Rev. Justin McLellan, and Rev. Raymond Turner, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in McEachin-McCormick Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Chad Stone, Brody Stone, Chris Roppe, Eric King, Steve Turner, John Turner and Raymond Turner, Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Karen Guerrero, Jaime Reddish, Kayla Waters, Katherine Sharpe, Shonda Lay, Tonya Parker, Shemane Ramay, and Heather Griffis.

Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.

View Mary E. Stone's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/12/2026

Arletha Ricketson Tate

Arletha Ricketson Tate, 94, of the Snipesville, GA community died peacefully on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. She was born on December 15, 1931, to Robert and Fannie Lott Ricketson as the ninth of twelve children and was the last surviving.

Arletha devoted her life to caring for her family and her friends. She found immense joy in spoiling her grandchildren and great grands. Known for her servant heart, she was a faithful member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. She created beautiful birthday and wedding cakes for many individuals in the community. She was well known for her great cooking; especially cinnamon rolls and apple tarts (better known as “preacher pies”). She enjoyed collecting angels and dolls and shopping at her local Mission store. She was always in pursuit of a bargain. She faithfully read her Bible daily. Even when her mind declined, she continued to be concerned about getting to church.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, James Tate; her parents, Robert and Fannie Lott Ricketson; her eleven siblings: Vilas Ricketson, Mary Alice Ricketson, Ivella Smith Gillum, R T Ricketson, Dorothy Griffin Thurman, Ruby Johnson, Juanita Foskey, J.M. Ricketson, Wanell McCallum, Waymon Ricketson, and Charles (Duppy) Ricketson, and a special nephew, Rob Foskey.

She is survived by her son, James Emory (Betty Sue) Tate; her daughter, Shari (Chris) Johnson; her grandchildren: Jamie (Becky) Tate, Andy (Candice) Tate, Jonathan (Kayla) Johnson, and Aimee (Josh) Kaltenbach; her great grands: Jay, Drew, Peyton, and Jaxon Tate, Andrew, Caroline, Lydia, and Julianne Johnson, and Robert and Caleb Kaltenbach; two special sisters in law: Kay Francis Ricketson and Dot Ricketson, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

The family greatly appreciates the loving, compassionate, and faithful care of the staff of Wing 3 at McRae Manor nursing home. Community Hospice of Vidalia also provided wonderful support during her last year of life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Visitation will be held one prior to her Celebration of Life. Burial will be in the Hazlehurst City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Ricketson, Donnie Ricketson, Marcus Ricketson, Randy Ricketson, Jamie Tate, and Andy Tate.

Her son-in-law, Chris Johnson, along with her grandchildren Aimee Kaltenbach and Jonathan Johnson, will provide the music.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church or Community Hospice of Vidalia.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Swain Funeral Home.

View Arletha Ricketson Tate's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/12/2026

Encourage someone with a hug today!

02/11/2026

Ronald "Ronnie" Varnadore

Ronald “Ronnie” Varnadore, age 70, of Baxley passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at his residence.

Mr. Varnadore was born October 13, 1955 to the late Daniel Driggers and the late Myrtice Atkinson Driggers. He was employed by Baxley Veneer & Cleat and later retired from Walmart after ten years. Mr. Varnadore had a personality that would light up a room, that was his stage and he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. His independence, wit, and caring heart is admired by all and is loved by all.

Survivors include his sons, James Eric (Helen) Varnadore and Michael Brandon (Krissy) Varnadore; sisters, Susie Wicker, Tinnie Covington, Dot Moore, Brenda Faulk and Johnnie Talley; and a brother, Richard Varnadore. Five grandchildren, Brittany Varnadore, Brianna Varnadore, Ivey Varnadore, Ashley Richards and Dennis Richards, Jr. also survive.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Zoar Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.

View Ronald "Ronnie" Varnadore's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/10/2026

Helen Rose Harden

Helen Rose Harden, age 59, of Baxley passed away Monday, February 9, 2026 at her home.

Helen was born on April 19, 1966, in Ware County to the late Lawrence Allen Harden, Sr. and Norma Courson Zelder. She was a devoted home health nurse and a proud graduate of Altamaha Technical College. A member of Hopewell Church, Helen was a God-fearing and prayerful woman whose faith guided her life.

Helen deeply loved her children and grandchildren. Her greatest joy was being a mother and “GiGi,” roles she cherished with all her heart. She will be remembered for her warm hospitality, always opening her home to anyone seeking peace and comfort, and for her caring and generous spirit that touched so many lives.

Survivors include her daughter, Katie Harden of Baxley; son, Christian Harden of Baxley; and grandchildren, Kason Gallion and Kylen Harden. A brother and a host of cousins also survive.

A celebration of life will be held Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home with Rev. Bobby Gale officiating.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.

View Helen Rose Harden's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/10/2026

The important conversations in life are often the most dreaded and difficult ones to have. Let us help you have one such conversation. Call us today to discuss your final wishes and relieve that burden from those you care about the most.

02/06/2026

Leroy Steve Baxley

Leroy Steve Baxley, age 73, of Baxley passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah.

Mr. Baxley, born March 2, 1952, in Hazlehurst, was the son of the late Earnest Leroy Baxley and the late Catherine Mildred Carter Baxley. He was a devoted member of Friendship Congregational Christian Church and built a remarkable career traveling the world in the leak‑sealing industry. A man who truly loved to work, he “retired” five times—always finding his way back to the job he enjoyed.

In recent years, he served as a valued and respected dispatcher for Appling County 911, where his steady presence and dedication made a lasting impact. Outside of work, he was an avid sports fan, especially loyal to University of Georgia football and NASCAR. More recently, he had developed a growing love for Appling County Lady Pirate basketball.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, David Allen Baxley.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Shelia Baxley; daughter, Kathy Baxley; son, Brian (Aubrey) Baxley; grandchildren, Jala Baxley, Colin Jarrett, Lexi Jarrett, Jones Baxley and Terry Boddie; and special family friends, Maeson Williams and Ed Jarrett.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Congregational Christian Church with Rev. Barry Teutsch, Rev. Wayne Williamson and Rev. C. J. Keister officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Gene Davis, Henry Alderman, Scottie Tanner, Joey Coleman, Jeff Evans, Ed Jarrett, Colin Jarrett and Jones Baxley.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Appling County High School Class of 1970, the 1966-1970 Appling County Pirate Football Teams, and the staff of Appling County 911.

Visitation will be Sunday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Swain Funeral Home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.

View Leroy Steve Baxley's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/04/2026

Stanford Little Tillman

Stanford Little Tillman, age 89, of Hazlehurst, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Lakeside Senior Living in Douglas, leaving this world much the way he lived in it: with grace, warmth, and a smile.

Mr. Tillman was born on July 4, 1936, in Surrency, Georgia, to the late Herschel Tillman and the late Ruth Collins Tillman. A third-generation forester, he owned and operated Tillman Wood, proudly carrying forward his family’s legacy and deep love of the longleaf pine forest.

He was an avid runner who loved participating in marathons, proving time and again that age was merely a suggestion. He was a devoted member of the First Methodist Church of Surrency and Hazlehurst and their choirs. Whether lending his voice in song or his presence in community, Stanford showed up fully, faithfully, and with a good sense of humor.

His dedication to public service was evident during his time as Mayor of Surrency, where he served with integrity, humility, and genuine care for the people he represented. He delighted in music, laughter, and giving, especially in the form of unique currency, which he joyfully handed out to countless children over the years. Many kids walked away richer in more ways than one.

Above all, Stanford was a warm, kind, funny, and bright human being who impacted many lives simply by being himself. He loved well, laughed easily, and left people better than he found them.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Barbara Burkhalter Tillman of Hazlehurst; daughters, Kimberly Tillman Bahrami of St. Simons and Kayla Tillman of Douglas; one grandchild, Ariana Bahrami of Santa Cruz, California; and several nieces and nephews who will carry his stories forward.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 6, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home with Dr. Tommy Jordan officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Forrest Wildes, Doug McGowan, Alton Covington, Thomas Bland, Mark Melton and Brent Rucker. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

In honor of Stanford’s life and the values he held dear, the family invites those who wish to make a donation in his memory to consider the Longleaf Alliance, supporting the forests he so dearly loved, or the Make-A-Wish Foundation, reflecting his generosity and lifelong joy of brightening the lives of children.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.

View Stanford Little Tillman's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.