Pearson-Dial Funeral Home

01/12/2026

Please join us in lifting up the Padgett family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Ms. Paula Joyce Brannen Padgett, 61, of Blackshear, passed away Sunday morning, January 11, 2026, at the Satilla Hospice House in Waycross.

Born in Jesup, GA on July 1, 1964, she was a graduate of Long County High School and had lived most of her adult life in Pierce County. Paula loved to work in her flower garden in her spare time. She enjoyed teaching and nurturing her headstart students, but her greatest joy was her family, to which she was always there to help.

She was preceded in death by a niece, Brittny Gordon.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Keshia and Stefan Wood of Blackshear; 3 brothers and sisters-in-law, David (Launa) Hall of Waycross, Bubba (Debra) Gordon of Blackshear, and Sam (Rebecca) Gordon of Screven; 2 granddaughters, Zoey and Allie Wood; nieces and nephews, Brooke (John) Lupinek, Kaitlyn (Andrew) Steedley, Sarah Gordon, Molly Gordon, Luke (Trinity) Waters, Marie (Luke) Evans, Brandon (April) Hall, Madison Gordon, III, and Megan Sirmons; a very special friend, Cheryl Lee of Waycross; her canine daughter, Maggie; and several great nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services for Ms. Padgett will be held Wednesday morning, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 o’clock from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel

The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home Tuesday evening, January 13, 2026, from 6 until 8 o’clock.

Memorialization will be by cremation.

Memorials made be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Padgett family during this time.

01/07/2026

Please join us in lifting up the Foreman family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their father, grandfather, great grandfather, and former spouse. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Mr. Charles Clarence Foreman, 79, of Blackshear, passed away Tuesday afternoon, January 6, 2026, at Satilla Bluffs Senior Living Center.

Born in Waycross, GA on January 20, 1946, he had lived in Pierce County most of his life. Mr. Foreman was a 1964 graduate of Blackshear High School and was a US Army veteran having served in Vietnam. He worked as a police officer for the City of Blackshear for several years before going to work for and retiring from the US Postal Service – Blackshear Post Office - as a rural mail carrier. Mr. Foreman enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger days as well as restoring hotrods, especially Corvettes. He was a huge Atlanta Braves fan and in his later years, he found a passion for “thrifting” and became rather good at it.

He was a son of the late Judson Clarence & Edith B. Hall Foreman. He was also preceded in death by a great grandson, Will Foreman; and his brother, James Robert “Bobby” Foreman.

Survivors include his three sons and daughters-in-law, Stevie & Brenda Foreman and Craig & Amanda Foreman all of Blackshear, and Tony & Krista Smith Welch of Chesapeake Beach, MD; 9 grandchildren, Justin (Erin) Foreman, Whitney (Drake) Dryden, Chase (Amy) Foreman, Tyler (Kaylee) Foreman, Clay (Colleen) Middleton, Austin (Rebecca) Middleton, and Chase (Sidney) Middleton; 9 great grandchildren with #10 due in February; his former wife and mother of his children, Carol Youmans of Blackshear; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services for Mr. Foreman will be held Friday afternoon, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 o’clock from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel with the Dr. Justin Gambrell officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home and not at Mr. Foreman’s residence.

Interment will be in the Blackshear Cemetery.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Foreman family during this time.

01/06/2026

Please join us in lifting up the Crosby family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Mrs. Patricia Ann “Pat” Taylor Crosby, 73, of Mershon, passed away Sunday evening, January 4, 2026, at Hospice Satilla Hospice House in Waycross.

Born in Alma, GA on September 16, 1952, she had lived in Bacon Co, graduating from Bacon Co High School, before moving to Pierce Co in 1979, after marrying the love of her life, Frank Crosby. She had done secretarial work for Oxford Coat Factory and Farmers & Builders Supply for many years before becoming an engineering clerk for Satilla REMC, from which she would retire after more than 25 years of service when her health began to decline. Her love for everyone, especially the children, was shown by the work she did with the church youth group. She loved singing and in her spare time, she could be found dabbling in photography and cross-stitching. Mrs. Crosby spent many years serving at Bristol Baptist Church before moving her membership to Mershon Baptist Church. She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She was a daughter of the late Estell J. & Lutricel Taylor Taylor. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Casey Crosby; a sister, Reba Joyce Taylor; and two brothers, Benny Taylor and David Taylor.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Franklin “Frank” Crosby of Mershon; a son and daughter-in-law, Jason & Sumae Jordan of Blackshear; a brother, Harold Taylor of Alma; 4 grandchildren, Serena (Jacob) Sanchez, Matthew (Maria) Reyes, Naila Jordan, and Kolby Jordan; 4 great-grandchildren, with #5 due in February; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services for Mrs. Crosby will be held Thursday afternoon, January 8, 2026, at 3:00 o’clock from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mitch Hall officiating.

The family will be receiving friends at the chapel one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Bristol Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Satilla Hospice House, 811 Beacon Street, Waycross, GA, 31501, or Garden View Personal Care Home, 6134 College Avenue, Blackshear, GA, 31516.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Crosby family during this time.

01/03/2026

Please join us in lifting up the Prewitt/Bohannon family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their wife, mother, and grandmother. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Waldroff Douberly Prewitt, 74, of Patterson, passed away Friday evening, January 3, 2026, at Baptist Village Nursing Home.

Born in Tallahassee, FL on December 29, 1951, she lived in Jeff Davis County prior to moving to Pierce County in 2002. Mrs. Prewitt was a nurse for over 30 years having worked for Tender Care, Inc. as traveling nurse as well as several hospitals in our area and Pierce Home Health. She loved her job and enjoyed going fishing. Being a single mom, Mrs. Prewitt proudly raised her three boys and was devoted to them and her family. She was a member of Carters Chapel Church.

She was the daughter of the late Jake & Irene Cone Waldroff. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Wadis Douberly; and by two of her sons, Glen “Bo” Burch and Charles “Chuck” Thomley.

Survivors include her husband, Donald Eugene “Donny” Prewitt of Patterson; her son, Danny Bohannon of Blackshear; 6 grandchildren, Jake Thomley, Cynthia Thomley, Samuel Thomley, Landon Bohannon, Emery Bohannon, Danielle Lawrence; and several other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Prewitt will be held Monday afternoon, January 5, 2026, at 3:00 o’clock from the Carter Chapel Church with Pastor Kathy Palmer officiating.

The family will be receiving friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Carter Chapel Cemetery.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Prewitt family during this time.

12/31/2025

Please join us in lifting up the Stokes family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Mr. Warnie Lewis Stokes, Jr., 82, of Blackshear, passed away Tuesday morning, December 30, 2025, at Memorial Satilla Health.

Born in Denton, GA on December 10, 1943, he lived in Waycross and St. George prior to moving to Pierce County in the mid 80’s. Mr. Stokes was a 1961 graduate of Coffee County High School. He worked in road construction all his life serving as Vice President of Dixie Concrete where he had also been a road superintendent. He would go on to own and operate S & S Sealcoating from which he retired. Mr. Stokes was an avid HAMM radio operator and also enjoyed fishing, camping, go-cart racing, and being with his family and friends. He was of the Baptist faith.

He was a son of the late Mary Magdeline Dorsey Stokes and Warnie Lewis “W.L.” (Granny Grace) Stokes. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Erleen Conner Stokes; his sister, Wanette Stokes; and a brother, Charles Stokes.

Survivors include two daughters, Rhonda (Dr. Edward) Mark of Valdosta and Stacie (Avery) Doran of Blackshear; two sons, Warnie L. “Buddy” Stokes, III and Daryle (Tammy) Stokes all of Blackshear; a brother, Brian (Cami) Stokes of Dublin; 7 grandchildren, Dustin (Amy) Stokes, Tyler (Rachel) Stokes, Shayla (Clark) Rowland, Kori (Caesar) Bahena, Taylor “Tootie” (Dylan) Corbitt, Lee (Rebecca) Watson, and Allie Brooke Stokes; 11 great grandchildren, Jesslyn, Gentry, Keagan, Kager, Kash, Darren, Lyla, Mary Ellen, Camden, Archer, and Blair; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services for Mr. Stokes will be held Friday afternoon, January 2, 2026, at 3:00 o’clock from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Joe Chancey officiating.

The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home chapel one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Alabaha Cemetery.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Stokes family during this time.

12/30/2025

Please join us in lifting up the Blanchette family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great, great grandmother, and sister-in-law. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Mrs. Sarah Frances Varnadore Blanchette, 90, of Blackshear, passed away Monday afternoon, December 29, 2025, at her residence.

Born in Patterson, GA on March 13, 1935, she lived in Pierce County since 1980. Mrs. Blanchette was a 1954 graduate of Lake Worth High School in Lake Worth, FL. She was a homemaker as well as a dedicated wife and mother. Her family was her life, and she dearly loved them all. Mrs. Blanchette read her Bible daily and enjoyed painting, crocheting, and watching the Atlanta Braves. She was a devoted member of Living River Church of God.

She was a daughter of the late Emerald Percy & Ruby Estelle Brown Varnadore. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jay Grady Blanchette; a daughter, Vicki Sweat; and all of her siblings, Joyce Friderich, Teresa Varnadore, Loretta (Jerry) Mercer, Azalee (Jimmy) Calhoun, Clinton (Mary) Varnadore, Billy Varnadore, Gerald (Margie) Varnadore, and James Varnadore.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Collette & Joey Griffin of Blackshear; a sister-in-law, Sharon Varnadore of Port Orange, FL; a brother-in-law, Russ Friderich of Bloomington, IL; 5 grandchildren, Keith (Kris) Harris, Kim (Michael) Wills, Levi Cox, Melissa Murphy, and Rebecca (Maurice) Strickland; 12 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

A memorial service for Mrs. Blanchette will be held Saturday morning, January 3, 2026, at 10:00 o’clock from the Living River Church of God.

Memorialization will be by cremation.

Memorials may be made to the Living River Church of God, PO Box 822, Blackshear, GA 31516.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Blanchette family during this time.

12/30/2025

Please join us in lifting up the Cook/Merritt family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their son, brother, and grandson. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Infant Atticus James Cook, 5 weeks old son of Adriane Lynn Cook and David Wayne Merritt, passed away Wednesday morning, December 24, 2025, at Memorial Satilla Health.

Atticus was born on November 17, 2025, in Waycross. “He had the kind of humor that you had to know him to understand. Each diaper change held a special gift for the recipient. He loved admiring his older siblings and watching videos with them, though he spent most of his time in his mama’s arms listening to worship music. His five short weeks on this earth will be forever cherished. He brought immeasurable love and joy to our family and will be remembered and celebrated forever. His precious smile is like a handprint on our hearts.”

Atticus was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Daniel Merritt.

Survivors in addition to his parents are his two sisters, Christian Cook and Serenity Merritt both of Waycross; his three brothers, Matthew McMaster, Michael McMaster, and Thomas McMaster all of Waycross; his maternal grandparents, Rodney Cook (Bridget Hall) of Homosassa, FL and Michelle (Carey) Crosby of Blackshear; his paternal grandmother, Debra Merritt of Blackshear; and several aunts, uncles, and other relatives.

Memorialization will be by cremation.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Cook family during this time.

12/26/2025

Please join us in lifting up the Smith family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their sister and aunt. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Ms. Brenda Joyce Smith, 78, of Blackshear, passed away Tuesday morning, December 23, 2025, at her residence.

Born in Blackshear, GA on July 11, 1947, she lived in Pierce County all her life. Ms. Smith was a 1966 graduate of Blackshear High School and went on to graduate from Georgia Southern in Statesboro with a degree in education. She taught school in Ware County for many years and also ran a tutoring class called Whiz Kid. Ms. Smith loved to travel and go camping, fishing, and telling stories. She was a member of the Golden Girls Club and enjoyed getting together with her friends. Ms. Smith dearly loved her nieces and nephews as if they were her own and always looked forward to spending time with them. She will be missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Crawley & Mammie Taylor Smith; four sisters, Leona Spivey, Diane Holmes, Carolyn Joseph, and Marilyn Smith Strickland; and a brother, Richard Crawley Smith.

Survivors include four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Inez Bruckner of Macclenny, FL, Wanell Crawford of Jacksonville, FL, Sue & Tolly Strickland of Fernandina Beach, FL, and Paula & Wayne Foskey of Callahan, FL; a brother and sister-in-law, Allen & Phillis Smith of Mershon; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services for Ms. Smith will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 2:00 o’clock from the Blackshear Church of God.

The family will be receiving friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Waters Cemetery.

The family kindly requests members of The Golden Girls Club to serve as honorary pallbearers. Please meet at the church by 1:30 Tuesday afternoon.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Smith family during this time.

12/25/2025

12/24/2025

Please join us in lifting up the Adams family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their son, brother, grandson, and uncle. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Mr. Dalton Larry Adams, 25, of Patterson, passed away Saturday afternoon, December 20, 2025, at his residence.

Born in Augusta, GA on October 16, 2000, he lived in Pierce County since 2006. Dalton was a 2019 graduate of Pierce County High School and went on to attend Coastal Pines Technical College having received his CNA certification as well as his CDL. He worked at Harborview Pierce County and Memorial Satilla Health as a CNA before going to work for his father at his trucking business, Grumpy Old Goat Trucking. Dalton loved fast cars, motorcycles, and hunting.

He is preceded in death by a brother, Caleb Adams; his maternal grandmother, Mary Patricia Smith; his maternal grandfather, Jerry Parker Holland, Sr.; and his paternal grandmother, Lucy Wynn Adams.

Survivors include his parents, Allen & Melisa Holland Adams of Patterson; his sister and brother-in-law, Audry & Junior Wright of Plant City, FL; his brother and sister-in-law, Waylon & Sabrina Holland of New Bern, NC; his paternal grandfather, Larry Allen Adams of Tampa, FL; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Dalton’s family will honor his memory at a later date.

Memorialization is by cremation.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Adams family during this time.

12/20/2025

Please join us in lifting up the Hickox family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Mrs. Myrtice Etheleen (Hickox) Hickox, 85, of Hoboken, passed away Friday afternoon, December 19, 2025, at HCA Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, FL.

Born in Hoboken, GA on November 13, 1940, she lived in Farmington, NM for several years before returning to Hoboken four years ago. Mrs. Hickox was a 1958 graduate of Hoboken High School. She worked in retail as well as in the restaurant business prior to becoming a homemaker. Mrs. Hickox loved the outdoors whether it was traveling to the mountains, camping, hunting with her husband, or sitting outside listening to the birds and looking at the mountains while living in New Mexico. She had enjoyed cooking, reading her Bible; and putting puzzles together before her eyesight began to fail. She was a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Hoboken and will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

She was a daughter of the late Jesse & Ethel Dowling Hickox. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Dominic Cardenas; all three of her sisters, Effie Mae Griffin, Inez Stokes, and Clara Russell; and by all four of her brothers, Gillis, Lawton, Fred, and Russell Hickox.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Landell Hickox of Hoboken; her daughter and son-in-law, Vickie Hickox and Muhammad Imtiaz of North Port, FL; her son and daughter-in-law, Stacey & Michelle Hickox of Farmington, NM; 5 grandchildren, Steven (Cheyanne) Cardenas, Laticia Cardenas, Michael Cardenas, Hailey Hickox, and Skylar Hickox; 7 great grandchildren, Aiden Cardenas, Jordan Hooks, Gabriel Hooks, Elijah Hooks, Grace Cardenas, Eden Cardenas, and Clay Baker; a very special niece, Christy Stokes Thomas of Valdosta; her beloved pet dog, Susie; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hickox will be held Tuesday afternoon, December 23, 2025, at 2:00 o’clock from the Spring Hill Baptist Missionary Church with Rev. Arthur Hickox and Pastor Justin Ennis officiating.

The family will be receiving friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Moore Cemetery in Hoboken.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the givers choosing.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hickox family during this time.

12/11/2025

Please join us in lifting up the McCammon family in prayer as they cope with the loss of their husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother. Our deepest condolences to the family during this time.

Mr. Richard Lynn “Pete” McCammon, 77, of Blackshear, passed away late Wednesday evening, December 10, 2025, at his residence.

Born in Butler, MO on January 23, 1948, he grew up and lived in Missouri and Kansas prior to moving to Sebring, FL and then to Pierce County over 30 years ago. Mr. McCammon was a graduate of Westport High School in Kansas City, KS and was drafted into the US Army in 1968 where he served for four years. He worked for the railroad in the Midwest but spent most of his working career as a contractor. When he moved to FL, he began working as an electrician. Once he moved to Georgia, he worked as a machinist working for Waycross Molded Products then for General Box Company. Mr. McCammon enjoyed flying radio-controlled airplanes, and building/working on muscle cars and trucks. He also enjoyed raising chickens, goats, and his three pet dogs, Watson, Scrappy Doo, and Gator. Mr. McCammon was a happy, laid-back man who enjoyed life and dearly loved his family. He was a member of Youmans Chapel Baptist Church.

He was a son of the late Charles H. & Caleen A. Schmidt McCammon. He was also preceded in death by both of his brothers, Larry Lee McCammon and Robert Eugene McCammon.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Melanie Awmiller McCammon of Blackshear; his daughter, Nicole (Jeromy) Sweat of Blackshear; five sons, Scott McCammon of Kansas City, KS, Curtis McCammon of Waverly, KS, Christopher (Haily) McCammon of Elkhart, KS, and Robert (Carrie) Phillips and Adam Phillips all of Nahunta; three sisters, Martha Grimsley of Adrian, MO, Effie Long of Olathe, KS, and Linda McCammon of Amoret, MO; 14 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren due soon; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Memorialization is by cremation.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the McCammon family during this time.