Obituaries

Obituary: A. Richard Smith

Mr. A. Richard “Richie” Smith passed away on Jan. 18, 2025. He was 53.  Smith was born Feb. 1, 1971 to James and Janet Smith.

Obituary: Claudette Adams Norman

Claudette Adams Norman, 84, of Oglethorpe County, passed away on Jan. 19, 2025, in Athens. Born on Aug. 28, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Truman Cone Adams and Sara Ruth Spears Roper.  Claudette had a fun and spirited personality.

Obituary: Hoyt Grindle

Mr. Hoyt Grindle, 83, of Lexington, was born on April 13, 1941 and peacefully passed away on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Professional services entrusted to Barrett Funeral Home Oglethorpe, Crawford.

Obituary: Willie Ed Favors Jr.

Willie E. Favors Jr., of Crawford, died Jan. 9, 2025.  The funeral was at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at St. John Church. The Rev. Charles Dickey was the eulogist.  Interment was in the church cemetery.  Survivors include his wife Evelyn Favors; children Vivian (Shannon) Arnold, Eddie F.

Obituary: Doris G. Winn

Doris G. Winn, 90, died Jan. 8, 2025. Born in Oglethorpe County, Doris was a daughter of the late Mary Jane Smith and W.S. Gunter, and was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Emmett R. Winn. She was also preceded in death by a son, Greg Winn.

Obituary: Mary Watkins Maxwell

Mary Sophronia Watkins Maxwell, beloved wife of the late Henry Rains Maxwell, entered into rest on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, at Doctors Hospital in Augusta.  A memorial service was held on Jan. 3, 2025, at Platt’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Phiip Hedgecoth officiating.

Obituary: Alfred DeWitt Strong Sr.

Alfred D. Strong, of Lexington died Jan. 1, 2025. The funeral service was at noon Saturday, Jan. 11 at New Hope Baptist Church. Pastor Troy Jones was the eulogist. Interment was in the Jennings Cemetery. Survivors include his wife Gladys Strong; children Alfred (Machelle) Strong Jr.

Obituary: Earnest Saylors

Earnest Saylors of Carlton, died Jan. 2, 2025. A graveside service was held at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 at the Saylors Family Cemetery. Survivors include his son Shawn Saylors; step-daughter Valerie (Ricky) Appling; brother, Thomas Saylors; grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Obituary: Randy Gray

Randy Gray, 67, passed away on Jan. 7, 2025.  Born on April 30, 1957, he was the son of the late Elmer Gray and Ruby Barden Gray. Randy enjoyed spending time with those around him and always had a soft spot for animals. He was an Elvis fan and found joy in cruising around in his pickup truck.

Obituary: Ellie Mae Goolsby

Ellie Mae Goolsby of Lexington, died Jan. 1, 2025. The funeral service was at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 at New Bethlehem Baptist Church. Pastor Michael Gresham was the eulogist.  Interment was in the Goolsby Family Cemetery.