John William “Bill” Self Jr.
Mr. Bill Self departed this earth for his heavenly home on Monday, May 24, 2021, after an extended illness.
Born February 18, 1940 in North Augusta SC to the late John William Self Sr. and Francis Cartledge Self. He married his high school sweetheart Gwen Bragg Self. He graduated from North Augusta High school where he lettered in football and baseball. He was self-educated having attended schools and seminars sponsored by Belk Stores including several presented by the American Management Association. He worked for Belk Department Stores in Augusta as shoe buyer and floor manager for 6 years. He and Gwen had two young children Debbie and Will when he moved to Statesboro as manager of Belk Department Store in 1966.
He worked at Belk Stores in Augusta, Statesboro and Gainesville Ga. for a total of over 39 years. He was manager of the Statesboro store for 26 years and was manager when Belk opened the current Statesboro Mall store in 1971 and expanded it in 1989. He retired after serving 7 years as manager of the Gainesville Georgia Store. He was awarded Belk’s highest achievement award (pacesetter) 3 times in Statesboro and 2 twice in Gainesville. He retired from Belk Stores in 1998. Upon retirement he and Gwen returned to make their home in Statesboro. He has served as president of The Statesboro Bulloch Chamber of Commerce, The Georgia Southern University Foundation, Forest Heights Country Club, Statesboro Kiwanis Club and Statesboro Mall Merchants Association.
He enjoyed golfing, salt water fishing and traveling, particular cruising the Caribbean -Islands, Alaska and Northeast coast to Quebec with good friends.
Preceded in death by his father John William Self Sr, mother Francis Cartledge Self, brothers, Thomas Henry Self, and David Wayne Self.
Surviving are his wife of 61 years Gwen Bragg Self, daughter Debbie Self Smith, son in law J.L. Smith of Waycross one son George William (Will) Self, daughter in law Misty Parker Self of Statesboro, one Grandson William Trent Self and four sisters in law, Gail Bragg Driscoll, Tampa, FL, Cheryl Bragg Murtaugh, Greer, SC, and Vicki Bragg Neupauer, Citrus Springs, FL and Eulaween Self Sheldon of North Augusta, SC.
Honorary pallbearers will be The First Baptist Church Open Door Sunday School Class members. Interment will be private.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459 or charity of donor’s choice.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.
Mikell Corey Waters
Mikell Corey Waters, 24, of Grovetown, Ga passed away suddenly from an accidental drowning on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Corey was born to Marty and Jessica Waters on
October 27, 1996. He was raised in the Nevils Community and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. He graduated from Southeast Bulloch High School, his parents’ alma mater, in 2015.
Corey was an avid outdoorsman and known by those closest to him as a “fish-whisperer” who could catch a fish in a bathtub. He loved to be outside and loved beautiful things…. flowers, landscapes, sunrises, sunsets, and people. If he loved you, he loved you with everything and saw the best in everyone. Corey was the typical mischievous middle child, who never shirked a challenge or dare, nor did he miss an opportunity to make you laugh, or laugh with you, and even laugh at you. His smile and love of life were contagious. Corey was raised in church and saved at an early age. He was firm in his faith. While he wasn’t perfect, he was forgiven and now is safe in the arms of God.
He married the love of his life, Breelynn, on April 4, 2020. Corey is survived by his wife, Breelynn, his parents, Marty and Jessica Waters (Nevils), two brothers Alan (Rachel) Waters of Christiansburg, Va and Thomas Waters (Nevils-USAF) and his fiance, Lacey Stanfield, his Meme, Marie Waters (Nevils), uncle, Mike Waters (Nevils), and his Pops, Herman Richardson (Dawsonville), He is also survived by his great-aunts Cindy (Ira) Tolmich (Milledgeville), Sara Waters (Statesboro), Annie Mae Motes (Statesboro), Nell Johnson (Savannah), and Bobbie Olsson and numerous cousins. He was preceeded in death an unborn baby, his Pepa, Thomas Waters, and his Grandmother, Cathy Richardson.
Visitation is scheduled for Monday, May 31st from 5:00 – 8:00 at Trinity Baptist Church with the services on Tuesday, June 1st at 11:00 at TBC with Rev. Joe Eason officiating. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Justin Bunkley, Adam Woods, Bryan Rockefeller, Bryce Costlow, Mike Deal, and Colby Deal will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hale Foundation 402 Walker St, Augusta, GA 30901 or John’s Place 4 W Altman St, Statesboro, GA 30458 or Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund 1172 Nevils-Denmark Road, Pembroke, GA 31321
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory in Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.
Gerald Bennie Ausley
Mr. Gerald Bennie Ausley, age 81, died on Thursday May 27th 2021 at his home under the care of Bethany Hospice. Gerald was born on March 31st 1940 in Angier, NC to the late Mr. Knox Ausley and Mrs. Nora Topps Ausley. Gerald was raised in NC but had lived in Bulloch County for the last 15 years. He worked as a truck driver and enjoyed fishing and flying airplanes in his free time. Gerald was preceded in death by both his parents, his brothers, J.C. Ausley, Edward Ausley, Bobby Ausley, and Lindell Ausley, and his sister, Jean Carron.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Ausley, his son, Mark Ausley, his daughter, Donna McBride, his six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, his brothers, Cecil Ausley and Sam Ausley, and two sisters, Hazel Wood and Ruth Barbour.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday at 2:00pm at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro with Chaplain Samuel Watkins officiating. The family will receive visitors following the service.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.
Bobby Charles Staggs
November 3, 1936 – May 27, 2021
Obituary pending; available Monday May 31, 2021.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.
Stella M. Newton
Stella M. Newton, age 93, passed away Saturday, May 29, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in
Savannah. She had lived for many years in Statesboro but in recent years had to moved to Effingham County to be closer to her family. Ms. Newton was of the Baptist faith and was a homemaker. She loved flowers and spent many enjoyable hours watching western movies. She is survived by her children; Mary Mingledorff of Guyton, Betty Chaffin of Guyton, David Kirkland of Washington state, Joyce Grant of Rincon, Glenn Kirkland of Rincon and Alan Newton of Guyton. She also leaves seven grandchildren and many great grandchildren to cherish her memory.
Funeral services will be held Sunday May 30, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Deal Funeral Directors with Rev. Jimmy Brown officiating.
Entombment will follow at Bulloch Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Deal Funeral Directors in Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.
