Notable Deaths In 2022

Ms. Geraldine James Cue died Dec. 31, 2021, at the age of 75. Ms. Cue was the funeral director and co-owner of Thornton’s Funeral Home.
Former Jeff Davis High School football coach and Jeff Davis High graduate Royce Cecil Morris died Jan. 5 at the age of 84.
Hazlehurst native, Dr. Joseph Dewayne Handsome (affectionately known as Joe), 47, of Cornelius, passed away Jan. 13 in Cornelius, N.C.
Former Richard Hand Chevrolet dealer James Richard Hand, 84, of Palm Harbor, Fla., formerly of Hazlehurst, died March 15.
Longtime Hazlehurst businessman James Eschol (J.E.) Riner, 83, of Hazlehurst, died March 20 at Jeff Davis Hospital.
Jeff Davis County Board of Education member Randy “Bug” Smith died unexpectedly at Jeff Davis Hospital. He was 60 years of age.
Former Hazlehurst Georgia Power Manager Harold C. Mobley, 74, of Uvalda, died June 13 at his home after an extended illness.
Mr. James Troy Stankowitz, 91, of Hazlehurst, died Aug. 4 at his residence.
Patrick (Pat) Chapman, 71, of Hazlehurst, died June 26 at Community Hospice in Vidalia.
Dr. Sidney Phillip Johnson, 86, of Hazlehurst, passed away peacefully Aug. 20 at his home.
Mr. Warren “Buck” Herndon, 84, passed away Aug. 24. He was employed by the Jeff Davis County Road Department.
Hazlehurst business owner Marjorie Mullis Smith, 91, died Sept. 8 at her residence.
Former Jeff Davis County Commission Chairman Ray Harold Wooten, 77, of Hazlehurst passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home Sept. 19.
Former longtime Hazlehurst Mayor Wyatt Washington “Buddy” Spann passed away peacefully Sept. 14 with several family and friends by his side.
Former Jeff Davis County Commission Chairman Lonnie Waters, 86, died Oct. 6 at his residence surrounded by his devoted wife, family, and friends.
Retired longtime Jeff Davis High teacher James Allen Crump Sr., 74, passed away Nov. 3 at Community Hospice in Vidalia.
Longtime City of Hazlehurst Water and Sewer Department head Hugh Blanton (Blan) Williams, 70, died at his residence Nov. 28.