All Obituaries

Mr. John C. Dorough, age 67, of Vidalia, died Friday, January 27, 2023, at Community Hospice House in Vidalia after a brief illness.  He was a native of Vidalia and a graduate of Vidalia High School.  He worked at Plant Hatch as a Nuclear Specialist.  John had a pilot’s license, loved drag racing and enjoyed flying model helicopters and planes.  He is preceded in death by his son, Brad Dorough; and his parents, Loren Dorough and Elizabeth Fountain Dorough. He is...

Leonard “Runt” Edenfield Jr., age 92, of Lyons, died Wednesday, January 25, 2023, in Community Hospice after an extended illness.  He was born in Emanuel County, living most of his life in Lyons.  He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and was the recipient of the Bronze Star.  He worked most of his life as a mechanic, retiring from Palmer Tire Company in Vidalia, served as a volunteer fireman and civil defense in Lyons since 1954, and served as bailiff of...

Mrs. Sue Allen Bishop, age 92, of Tarrytown, died Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at Oxley Park Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lyons after an extended illness.  She was a native of Toombs County and a 1947 graduate of Vidalia High School, where she played on the girl’s basketball team.  Mrs. Bishop owned and operated The Style Shop in Emanuel County before retiring from Belk after ten years of loyal service.  She was a member of Higgston Baptist Church and enjoyed...

Matthew Aaron Criswell, age 35, of Jesup, died Sunday, January 22, 2023.  He was a native of Vidalia and lived most of his life there.  He graduated from Vidalia High School in 2006.  Matt worked as an electrician beginning his career with Criswell Electric.  For the last ten years, he has worked with Sack Company of Statesboro.  Matt loved the Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs, throwing darts (he won several tournaments), fishing, arrowhead hunting, and spending time with his...

Mr. Terry L. Phillips, age 59, of Lyons, died Monday, January 23, 2023, at Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia after an extended illness.  He was a native of Toombs County and lived in Lyons most of his life.  He attended Lyons Senior High School and was a meat cutter for more than forty years, working with McLemore’s Abattoir, Bi-Lo, and Food Lion, and as meat market manager at Harvey’s in Reidsville.  Terry enjoyed fishing and hunting.  He is...

Mrs. Judy Stripling Adams, age 67, of Lyons, died Monday, January 23, 2023, at her home following an extended illness.  She was a lifelong resident of Toombs County and was a 1972 graduate of Lyons Senior High School.  She worked as a bus driver with Toombs County Board of Education, as a crop surveyor with Toombs County ASCS and also with the federal government performing aerial crop photography.  She was owner/operator of Granny’s Antiques in Vidalia and was a member...

Mrs. Sara Lynn Sapp, age 91, of Lyons, died Sunday, January 22, 2023, at Community Hospice House in Vidalia after an extended illness.  She was born in Collins on March 29, 1931 to the late Walter Lynn and Marie Boyette Lynn.  She moved to Toombs County in 1940 and lived in Lyons most of her life.  Earlier in her life, she worked at Peoples Bank in Lyons for several years, and retired from Toombs County EMA, working with the late Ronald E. Widener.  She was a member of...

Gary James Droste, age 66, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2023, surrounded by his family at Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia, GA. He was born on December 31, 1956, to James Peter Droste and Carolyn Elizabeth Droste in Savannah, GA.  He graduated from Alfred E. Beach High School and went on to become a Welder, Fence Installer and Wellness Coordinator. Aside from his family Gary’s greatest devotion was to The Christian Family Center in Soperton. In 2006 he was led...

Benilda Blaxton Craft, age 83, of Lyons, died Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at Meadows Park Health and Rehabilitation in Vidalia after an extended illness.  She was a native of Kibbee Community and lived there until moving to Toombs County in the early 1950s.  She was a 1956 graduate of Vidalia High School where she played basketball.  She worked as a secretary for Attorney Bill Sharpe, with CIT Financial Group and retired in 1988 from Farm Credit after twenty-five years. ...

Mrs. Mary Thomas Sears, age 90, of Vidalia, died Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at her home after an extended illness.  She was a native of Kite, Georgia and a 1949 graduate of Swainsboro High School.  She was a licensed practical nurse and worked at Claxton Hospital.  She later moved to Atlanta, worked with GMAC as an accountant, and retired after thirty-five years.  After retirement, she and her husband traveled ten years before moving to Vidalia in 1999.  She was a...