Area Obituaries

Mr. Richard Chavis, 89, of Uvalda, passed away peacefully Aug. 8 surrounded by the love of his family. Richard was born Oct. 22, 1936, to the late Rev. Robert “Bob” Chavis and Myrtice Yawn Chavis. A lifelong South Georgian, he graduated from Jeff Davis High School with the Class of 1955 and built a life…

Mrs. Judy Herrington Ciccimaro, 68, of Enterprise, Ala., passed away Aug. 15 at her residence under the care of Enhabit Hospice. Born Jan. 24, 1958, in Hazlehurst, Judy was the daughter of the late Alvin Herrington and Margie Carnes. She proudly served seven years in the United States Army. She was also preceded in death…

Mr. Ray Cliett Smith, 64, of Hazlehurst, passed away Aug. 16 at his home, under the care of Coastal Hospice. He was born Nov. 21, 1961, in Douglas to the late Grady Vasco Smith and Marie Willene Hesters Smith. He was a native and lifelong resident of Jeff Davis County and a member of Hazlehurst…

Ms. Mildred Joan Hand, 86, of Hazlehurst, passed away July 29. Ms. Hand was born April 4, 1940, in Manchester to the late Walter Winfred Phillips and Marie Louise Bowen Phillips. She was a dedicated homemaker who found immense joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially working in her yard and cooking delicious meals…

Mr. Thomas Fulton Hughes Sr., 81, of Glenwood, passed away July 29 at his residence. Fulton was born July 14, 1945, in Jeff Davis County to the late Onis Fulton Hughes and Vera Mae Sellers Hughes. He was a truck driver, enjoyed the outdoors and in his younger years loved fishing. He enjoyed working in…

Mrs. Olivia Bennett Gadson, 89, passed away June 16 at her residence in Jacksonville, Fla., under the care of hospice. Mrs. Gadson was born Jan. 16, 1937, in McRae to the late Charlie Spencer Bennett and Mattie Lou Bennett. Mrs. Gadson worked as a paraprofessional in the Duval County School System until she began to…

Mrs. Helen Wilson Hill, 90, transitioned peacefully June 26 surrounded by her loving daughter, Kathryn and her caring granddaughter, Takilya, at Jeff Davis Hospital. Mrs. Hill was born April 22, 1936, in Hazlehurst to Joe and Mabel Ware Wilson. The youngest of eight children, Ms. Hill planted deep roots in her community. At an early…