Henry Stephen “Dr. Steve” Weeks, age 78, of Vidalia, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Community Hospice House in Vidalia after a brief illness. Steve was born January 23, 1947, in Savannah, to the late Horace Harry Weeks and Hilda Rosser Weeks. He was the Vocational (Career and Technical) Education Director at Vidalia Comprehensive High School until his retirement in 2010 after 35 years.
After graduating Savannah High School in 1966, Steve earned his Associates in Business from Birdwood Junior College and then going on to Georgia Southwestern College to earn a B.S degree in Business.
Steve served two years in the U.S. Army as an NCO in Southeast Asia. He was a lifetime member of Georgia Association of Educators, American Legion Post 97, and Vietnam Veterans of America.
After his military service, Steve returned to school. He earned his Masters and Specialist degrees in Trade and Industrial Education at the University of Georgia. In 1983, he earned his Doctor of Education at NOVA University. In 1972, at 25 years old, he was named Vocational Director at Washington County High School. He was the youngest vocational director in the state of Georgia.
Steve came to Vidalia in 1975 to develop the Vocational Program at Vidalia High School. He stayed at the school as vocational director and assistant Principal until he retired in 2010. In 1988, he was named Georgia Vocational Association Director of the Year.
Steve said his greatest accomplishment was writing the grant for Southeast Technical College and the auditorium. He was also a big promoter of the Vidalia Onion and worked with developing the Vidalia Onion Festival. For many years, he sold sweet Vidalia Onions at The Onion Hut on Highway 280. He enjoyed sharing the story of Vidalia Onions with the many travelers who stopped to purchase onions. Always a busy man, he owned Subway of Lyons and The Stockpile storage units in Lyons. When he retired, he opened a financial consulting office in Vidalia, where he gave free financial counseling.
He is preceded in death by his parents Horace and Hilda Weeks, twin sister Stepheny Anderson, brother Bob Weeks, and sister Bonnell Weeks.
Steve is survived by his wife of 53 years Deanna Smith Weeks and a son Rodney S. Weeks of Vidalia and his walking buddy Bailey.
The memorial service will be Monday afternoon, June 23rd, 2025, at 3:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Reverend Clint Williams, Dr. Garrett Wilcox, and James Rogers officiating, followed by Military Honors. Burial will be later at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 1:30 until just prior to the service.
Flowers are accepted or memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or online at stjude.org.
Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Steve Weeks, please visit our floral store.
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Mr. William “Bill” Hester, age 78, of Collins, died Monday, June 16, 2025, at his residence after a sudden illness. He was a native of Miami, Florida and lived there until moving to Collins in 1969. He worked with the City of Lyons for a few years and retired as City of Collins Superintendent after thirty-two years. He was Baptist by faith. Bill enjoyed bowling, watching Westerns, nonstop photography, and spending time with his grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a son, Rodney Pond; parents, James Franklin Hester and Lillian Brooks Hester; and three siblings, Frank Hester, Linda Hester Cook, and Donna Hester Swain.
His family includes his wife of forty-two years, Lana Brinson Hester of Collins; two sons, Eddie Hester and wife Carol of the Blue Ridge Community, and Carlton Pond and wife Cindy of Vidalia; one brother, James E. Hester and wife Robin of Reidsville; five grandchildren, Nicholas Hester and wife Kayla of the English Eddy Community, Robby Poole and wife Savanna of the Ponderosa Community, Lili Lott and husband John of Blackshear, Brooke Poole (US Navy) of Pensacola, Florida, and Dalton Pond and wife Skyler (US Army) of Collins; seven great-grandchildren, Bentley, Kaysen, Maggie, Grant, Sylvie, Cade, and Calessi; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be Friday, June 20, 2025, at 3:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Thomas Yawn officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday afternoon from 2:00 until just prior to the service.
Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William "Bill" Hester, please visit our floral store.
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William Owen "Bill" Mitchell, 83, of Vidalia, GA passed away on June 13, 2025 at Westhill Newnan Crossing Assisted Living Facility in Newnan, Georgia after a brief illness. An accomplished professional, avid golfer, and proud veteran, Bill's life was marked by service, leadership, and a deep commitment to his community.
Born on August 18, 1941 in Maysville, Kentucky, Bill was the son of Roy Francis Mitchell and Beulah Maude Carpenter Mitchell. He moved to Ohio in seventh grade and graduated in 1959 from Withrow High School, Cincinnati, OH. Bill earned an engineering certificate from the University of Cincinnati and later, a degree in Business Management from East Georgia College, laying the foundation for a distinguished career that would span decades and touch lives around the globe.
Bill served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1963 as an instrument technician. His military service instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and dedication that he carried into every aspect of his life.
Following his time in the Air Force, Bill worked at Cincinnati Milacron and then began a long and successful career with Oxford Industries. Over the course of 29 years with the company, he rose through the ranks-from installing machines to ultimately serving as Vice President of Oxford Shirt Quality. His work took him to factories around the world, where he applied his keen eye for detail and unwavering standards of excellence.
For his second career, Bill continued to serve his community as President of the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority. His leadership was widely recognized: he was named Vidalia Citizen of the Year in 1993, honored by the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives as Executive of the Year in 2013, and received the prestigious Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence from the Georgia Economic Developers Association in 2015.
Bill was a member of Vidalia First United Methodist Church (Vidalia Cornerstone Church). He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club and enjoyed many rounds of golf with friends, winning tournaments and making at least four holes-in-one. He loved his dog, Bailey.
He is survived by his wife, Cathryn "Cathy" Thompson Mitchell; son, Daniel "Danny" Roy Mitchell (Kimberly) and daughter, Deborah "Debbie" May Ward (Matt); Deloris "Dee" Mitchell, mother of his children; step-son, Matthew Meehan; grandchildren, Jake and Jenna Mitchell and Joshua (Olivia), Caleb, Luke, Thomas, Anna, and Rachel Ward; great-granddaughters, Ava and Emma Ward; and sister, Barbara (Barb) Welch; .
A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Vidalia Cornerstone Church, 209 Church Street, Vidalia, GA. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 p.m. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Vidalia Rotary Club to establish the Bill Mitchell scholarship.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.mckoon.com.
McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory, 770-253-4580
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Mr. Joe T. McDonald, age 86, of Vidalia died Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Community Hospice House in Vidalia after a brief illness. He was a native of Montgomery County, attended Kibbee School, and was a 1957 graduate of Montgomery County High School where he played basketball and was state runner up in track. Soon after his four years of military service in the U.S. Air Force, he began his banking career, working at Brice Banking Company for more than thirty years and later at Montgomery Bank & Trust and Mt. Vernon Bank. He was currently operating McDonald Landscaping. Joe was an avid dancer; he enjoyed golf, and riding his tractor. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ennis McDonald and Clyde Hamilton McDonald; and sister, Betty Jane McDonald Fountain.
His family includes his wife of sixty-five years, Ann Agerton McDonald of Vidalia; two sons, Bart K. McDonald and wife Katherine of Higgston, and Barry Link McDonald of Tarrytown; five grandchildren, Hunter McDonald of Hawkinsville, Carson McDonald of Tarrytown, Cayden McDonald of Higgston, Holly McDonald, and Karle McDonald; one great-granddaughter, Bailee Monroe; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be Friday morning, June 20, 2025, at 11:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Randy McDuffie officiating. Burial will follow at McDonald Cemetery in Montgomery County.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday morning from 10:00 until just prior to the service.
In lieu of food and flowers, memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting their website at Stjude.org.
Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joe T. McDonald, please visit our floral store.
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Mrs. Rhonda Greenawalt, age 75, of Augusta, died Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Twin View Health and Rehabilitation, after a brief illness. She was a lifelong resident of Augusta, a homemaker, and loved watching television. Rhonda was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Hilda Glymph.
Mrs. Rhonda is survived by her two sons, Donavan Bodie of Pawley’s Island, South Carolina and Eddie Greenawalt and wife Amy of Martinez; seven grandchildren, Devan, Summer, Krissi, Tyler, Gage, Riley, and Camryn; and one great-granddaughter, Emma.
There will be a private family service held in Augusta.
The service has been entrusted to Wilkes Funeral Home of Vidalia.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rhonda (Glymph) Greenawalt, please visit our floral store.
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