Mr. Willie W. Sammons
Founder
Mr. Willie W. Sammons founded Sammons Funeral Home on January 17, 1917. The original funeral home was located in an uptown store building at 105 West Main Street. In 1954, the business operations moved just a few blocks into the Estroff House at 4201 West Main Street, where it is still operated today. In 1963, the chapel was added. Mr. Sammons continued to run the funeral home and ambulance service with the help of local staff, including Jack Pournelle and a nephew, Billy Williams, until his death on August 16, 1975.
Mr. Sammons is remembered for his compassionate spirit and his firm handshake.
Mr. Willie W. Sammons
Founder
Mr. Willie W. Sammons founded Sammons Funeral Home on January 17, 1917. The original funeral home was located in an uptown store building at 105 West Main Street. In 1954, the business operations moved just a few blocks into the Estroff House at 4201 West Main Street, where it is still operated today. In 1963, the chapel was added. Mr. Sammons continued to run the funeral home and ambulance service with the help of local staff, including Jack Pournelle and a nephew, Billy Williams, until his death on August 16, 1975.
Mr. Sammons is remembered for his compassionate spirit and his firm handshake.
Mr. William Owen "Billy" Williams
Former Owner
Mr. William Owen "Billy" Williams, a Soperton native, began a long career in funeral service in August, 1947 when he began his apprenticeship with his uncle, Willie W. Sammons, founder of Sammons Funeral Home. He was a 1950 graduate of John A. Gupton School of Mortuary Science and became licensed in 1950. He worked beside his uncle for many years gaining vast amounts of knowledge before inheriting the business at the time of Mr. Sammons’ death in 1975. Billy continued to operate and manage the daily activities of the business until 1999 when his son-in-law, Glenn Powell, purchased the firm. He remained active on a day to day basis with the business until his death on February 16, 2013.
Billy was a son of Lawrence Marvin Williams, Sr. and Mary L. “Mollie” Evans Williams. He married Kadel Thomas Williams in 1951. They have two children, Pamela Williams Powell and Thomas Williams, a grandson, two granddaughters, three great-granddaughters, and three great-grandsons.
Mr. William Owen "Billy" Williams
Former Owner
Mr. William Owen "Billy" Williams, a Soperton native, began a long career in funeral service in August, 1947 when he began his apprenticeship with his uncle, Willie W. Sammons, founder of Sammons Funeral Home. He was a 1950 graduate of John A. Gupton School of Mortuary Science and became licensed in 1950. He worked beside his uncle for many years gaining vast amounts of knowledge before inheriting the business at the time of Mr. Sammons’ death in 1975. Billy continued to operate and manage the daily activities of the business until 1999 when his son-in-law, Glenn Powell, purchased the firm. He remained active on a day to day basis with the business until his death on February 16, 2013.
Billy was a son of Lawrence Marvin Williams, Sr. and Mary L. “Mollie” Evans Williams. He married Kadel Thomas Williams in 1951. They have two children, Pamela Williams Powell and Thomas Williams, a grandson, two granddaughters, three great-granddaughters, and three great-grandsons.
S. Glenn Powell
Former Owner
S. Glenn Powell began his career in funeral service at an early age. In 1968, he began working part-time after school and on the weekends at Sammons Funeral Home, where he would meet his future wife. He graduated from Treutlen High School in 1971 and entered college in the fall of the same year. It was during his college years that Glenn realized God was calling him into full-time funeral service. In 1975, he married Pamela Williams, daughter of Billy and Kadel Williams, and later that year he began full-time employment at the funeral home. He is a graduate of Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service, Atlanta.
Glenn worked side by side with his father-in-law at the funeral home and purchased the business in February of 1999. His wife, Pamela, joined him as Administrative Assistant after she retired from Treutlen County Health Department in 2011. His son, Steven Powell, began helping at the funeral home as a young boy, continued to work through his school years, joined the business full-time in February 2006, and continued to work with the funeral home until the fall of 2017. Glenn continued to operate the business until October of 2017.
He is a lifelong resident of Treutlen County and is the son of Lillie Odom Powell and the late Alton Powell. He and Pamela have one son, Steven, who is married to Stacey Wilkes Powell, and two granddaughters, Logan and Emily.
The Powells have been longtime members of Soperton First Baptist Church.
S. Glenn Powell
Former Owner
S. Glenn Powell began his career in funeral service at an early age. In 1968, he began working part-time after school and on the weekends at Sammons Funeral Home, where he would meet his future wife. He graduated from Treutlen High School in 1971 and entered college in the fall of the same year. It was during his college years that Glenn realized God was calling him into full-time funeral service. In 1975, he married Pamela Williams, daughter of Billy and Kadel Williams, and later that year he began full-time employment at the funeral home. He is a graduate of Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service, Atlanta.
Glenn worked side by side with his father-in-law at the funeral home and purchased the business in February of 1999. His wife, Pamela, joined him as Administrative Assistant after she retired from Treutlen County Health Department in 2011. His son, Steven Powell, began helping at the funeral home as a young boy, continued to work through his school years, joined the business full-time in February 2006, and continued to work with the funeral home until the fall of 2017. Glenn continued to operate the business until October of 2017.
He is a lifelong resident of Treutlen County and is the son of Lillie Odom Powell and the late Alton Powell. He and Pamela have one son, Steven, who is married to Stacey Wilkes Powell, and two granddaughters, Logan and Emily.
The Powells have been longtime members of Soperton First Baptist Church.
Phillip Theron Byrd
Owner; Funeral Director & Embalmer
Phillip Byrd was born in Jacksonville, Florida; the only son and youngest of two children of Theron and Lillian Doyce Walker Byrd of Suwanee County, Florida..
He attended and graduated from Gupton - Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta. Upon graduation he joined the Oxley - Heard Funeral Home in Fernandina Beach, Florida. While working with Oxley - Heard he completed his internship, stood his National and State Board Exams and became licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in the states of Florida and Georgia.
In the mid 1990’s Phillip received an offer to join Elliott Sons Funeral Homes of Augusta, Georgia. While working in Augusta, he met and married Lynn Anderson.
Several years later Phillip and Lynn relocated back to Fernandina Beach, Florida to rejoin Oxley Heard Funeral Directors.
In 2011 they met Mr. Billy Williams, the second generation owner of Sammons Funeral Home, as well as Glenn, Pamela and Steven Powell. They became friends and started talking about an eventual transition and change of ownership. In the fall of 2017 Phillip and Lynn moved to Soperton and purchased Sammons Funeral Home from the Powell family.
Phillip and Lynn have two daughters, Kristin and Brittany and two grandchildren, Kaitlynn and Jackson.
They bring to Soperton a deep respect for the history of Sammons Funeral Home and the difficult pathway that the Sammons, Williams and Powell families traversed to make the funeral home what it is today. Phillip and Lynn will always look to the past families served to build the foundation for the future generations to come. They are proud of this wonderful opportunity and delighted to be an integral part of the community.
Phillip and Lynn live in the Zaidee Community and attend Boiling Springs Baptist Church.
Phillip Theron Byrd
Owner; Funeral Director & Embalmer
Phillip Byrd was born in Jacksonville, Florida; the only son and youngest of two children of Theron and Lillian Doyce Walker Byrd of Suwanee County, Florida..
He attended and graduated from Gupton - Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta. Upon graduation he joined the Oxley - Heard Funeral Home in Fernandina Beach, Florida. While working with Oxley - Heard he completed his internship, stood his National and State Board Exams and became licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in the states of Florida and Georgia.
In the mid 1990’s Phillip received an offer to join Elliott Sons Funeral Homes of Augusta, Georgia. While working in Augusta, he met and married Lynn Anderson.
Several years later Phillip and Lynn relocated back to Fernandina Beach, Florida to rejoin Oxley Heard Funeral Directors.
In 2011 they met Mr. Billy Williams, the second generation owner of Sammons Funeral Home, as well as Glenn, Pamela and Steven Powell. They became friends and started talking about an eventual transition and change of ownership. In the fall of 2017 Phillip and Lynn moved to Soperton and purchased Sammons Funeral Home from the Powell family.
Phillip and Lynn have two daughters, Kristin and Brittany and two grandchildren, Kaitlynn and Jackson.
They bring to Soperton a deep respect for the history of Sammons Funeral Home and the difficult pathway that the Sammons, Williams and Powell families traversed to make the funeral home what it is today. Phillip and Lynn will always look to the past families served to build the foundation for the future generations to come. They are proud of this wonderful opportunity and delighted to be an integral part of the community.
Phillip and Lynn live in the Zaidee Community and attend Boiling Springs Baptist Church.
Lynn Byrd
Co-Owner & Administrator
Lynn Byrd was born in Augusta, Georgia, one of five children born to Lanelle Carl and Martha Anne Kirkland Anderson.
She was raised in Hephzibah, attending public schools in Augusta, and was a charter member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church.
Lynn worked for many years at the Medical College of Georgia and University Hospital in Augusta.
When she married Phillip, she shifted her career pursuits to the funeral industry, managing Hillcrest Memorial Park in Augusta and working with Elliott Sons Funeral Homes.
Lynn and Phillip left the Augusta area in 2006 and returned to his home of Florida for him to work with Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors in Fernandina Beach. While Phillip worked at the funeral home, Lynn returned to the healthcare industry and worked within the Baptist Healthcare Network in Nassau County.
After several years of discussion, soul searching, and prayer, they came to Soperton and purchased Sammons Funeral Home in the fall of 2017.
She is a grandmother and an aunt to three nieces and two great-nephews who reside in Augusta, Georgia.
They are excited to be the new owners of Sammons Funeral Home and consider it an honor to be chosen by the Powells to carry on their family’s heritage in the Soperton area.
Lynn Byrd
Co-Owner & Administrator
Lynn Byrd was born in Augusta, Georgia, one of five children born to Lanelle Carl and Martha Anne Kirkland Anderson.
She was raised in Hephzibah, attending public schools in Augusta, and was a charter member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church.
Lynn worked for many years at the Medical College of Georgia and University Hospital in Augusta.
When she married Phillip, she shifted her career pursuits to the funeral industry, managing Hillcrest Memorial Park in Augusta and working with Elliott Sons Funeral Homes.
Lynn and Phillip left the Augusta area in 2006 and returned to his home of Florida for him to work with Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors in Fernandina Beach. While Phillip worked at the funeral home, Lynn returned to the healthcare industry and worked within the Baptist Healthcare Network in Nassau County.
After several years of discussion, soul searching, and prayer, they came to Soperton and purchased Sammons Funeral Home in the fall of 2017.
She is a grandmother and an aunt to three nieces and two great-nephews who reside in Augusta, Georgia.
They are excited to be the new owners of Sammons Funeral Home and consider it an honor to be chosen by the Powells to carry on their family’s heritage in the Soperton area.
Bobby Joe Cammack
Funeral Staff
Bobby Cammack joined the staff of Sammons Funeral Home on March 1, 2010. He was an independent insurance agent for 48 years with Hall Insurance Agency and later Yates Insurance Agency in Soperton, Georgia. He retired in August of 2009.
He is married to the former Joan Posey and they have three children and six grandchildren. He is a member of Harmony Baptist Church.
Bobby Joe Cammack
Funeral Staff
Bobby Cammack joined the staff of Sammons Funeral Home on March 1, 2010. He was an independent insurance agent for 48 years with Hall Insurance Agency and later Yates Insurance Agency in Soperton, Georgia. He retired in August of 2009.
He is married to the former Joan Posey and they have three children and six grandchildren. He is a member of Harmony Baptist Church.
Carlos Clark
Funeral Staff
Mr. Carlos Clark has been associated with Sammons Funeral Home since he retired from Forstmann, East Dublin, in 2005.
He is married to Mary Nell Wyatt Clark. They reside in Soperton and are members of Blackville Church of God.
Carlos Clark
Funeral Staff
Mr. Carlos Clark has been associated with Sammons Funeral Home since he retired from Forstmann, East Dublin, in 2005.
He is married to Mary Nell Wyatt Clark. They reside in Soperton and are members of Blackville Church of God.
Lee Sweat
Funeral Staff
Lee Sweat was born in Augusta, GA, the son of Jack and Grace Keene Sweat. He and his sister, Cindy, grew up in Soperton and worked in the family business, Sweat's Barbecue. Lee graduated from Treutlen High School before attending the University of Georgia. After college, he served in the U.S. Army as an investigator with the Military Police. Upon being honorably discharged, he joined the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, where he worked as an inspector until retiring in 2007. After retiring from the GBI, he served as Chief Deputy and Chief of Detectives for Henry and Appling County, Georgia until 2016. Lee and the rest of his family assisted with the daily care of their parents, Mr. Jack and Miss Grace, until their passing in 2018.
Lee is married to Appling County native Sandy Carter Sweat. They have a daughter, Jackie Brauninger, and a grandson, Brayden.
Lee and Sandy attend Spring Branch Baptist Church in Baxley.
Lee Sweat
Funeral Staff
Lee Sweat was born in Augusta, GA, the son of Jack and Grace Keene Sweat. He and his sister, Cindy, grew up in Soperton and worked in the family business, Sweat's Barbecue. Lee graduated from Treutlen High School before attending the University of Georgia. After college, he served in the U.S. Army as an investigator with the Military Police. Upon being honorably discharged, he joined the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, where he worked as an inspector until retiring in 2007. After retiring from the GBI, he served as Chief Deputy and Chief of Detectives for Henry and Appling County, Georgia until 2016. Lee and the rest of his family assisted with the daily care of their parents, Mr. Jack and Miss Grace, until their passing in 2018.
Lee is married to Appling County native Sandy Carter Sweat. They have a daughter, Jackie Brauninger, and a grandson, Brayden.
Lee and Sandy attend Spring Branch Baptist Church in Baxley.
Teddy Holton
Funeral Staff
Teddy is a native and lifelong resident of Soperton. He is one of four children born to the late Newbern and Callie Lumley Holton. He graduated from Treutlen High School, Class of 1966 before attending and graduating from Brewton Parker College and obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Georgia Southern in Statesboro. After thirty two years with Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance, Teddy retired in 2011 as District Sales Manager. He was a former longtime member, Deacon and Sunday School teacher at Morningside Baptist Church before moving his membership to Boiling Springs Baptist Church.
For the past eleven years he has performed with the local gospel group; Sandra and friends.
Teddy is married to Soperton native, Gail Toler. They have seven children, seventeen grandchildren and a great grand daughter.
Teddy Holton
Funeral Staff
Teddy is a native and lifelong resident of Soperton. He is one of four children born to the late Newbern and Callie Lumley Holton. He graduated from Treutlen High School, Class of 1966 before attending and graduating from Brewton Parker College and obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Georgia Southern in Statesboro. After thirty two years with Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance, Teddy retired in 2011 as District Sales Manager. He was a former longtime member, Deacon and Sunday School teacher at Morningside Baptist Church before moving his membership to Boiling Springs Baptist Church.
For the past eleven years he has performed with the local gospel group; Sandra and friends.
Teddy is married to Soperton native, Gail Toler. They have seven children, seventeen grandchildren and a great grand daughter.
Floy "Mac" McCleary
Funeral Staff
Floy "Mac" McCleary was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and was a graduate of Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida.
After high school, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, where he served for four years before being honorably discharged.
Upon returning to the civilian workforce, Floy worked in Textile and Apparel Equipment sales for 33 years.
He also worked as an Insurance Agent in Fernandina Beach, FL with Liberty National and Investors Heritage Life Insurance Companies
until retiring and moving back to Soperton in 2005.
Floy is a member of Harmony Masonic Lodge, Al Sihah Shrine Temple, and Lothair Methodist Church of Soperton.
He is married to the former Sarah Brantley of Soperton.
Floy "Mac" McCleary
Funeral Staff
Floy "Mac" McCleary was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and was a graduate of Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida.
After high school, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, where he served for four years before being honorably discharged.
Upon returning to the civilian workforce, Floy worked in Textile and Apparel Equipment sales for 33 years.
He also worked as an Insurance Agent in Fernandina Beach, FL with Liberty National and Investors Heritage Life Insurance Companies
until retiring and moving back to Soperton in 2005.
Floy is a member of Harmony Masonic Lodge, Al Sihah Shrine Temple, and Lothair Methodist Church of Soperton.
He is married to the former Sarah Brantley of Soperton.
Sarah McCleary
Funeral Staff
Sarah Brantley McCleary was born in Treutlen County where she has lived the majority of her lifetime. She graduated
from Treutlen High School before attending Georgia Southern University.
Sarah worked as Plant Manager for Soperton Manufacturing / Woolrich, Inc for 32 years before retiring. She later worked as Executive Director of the Soperton Housing Authority.
She is married to Floy McCleary and they are both active members of Lothair United Methodist Church.
Possessing a sincere love for people, she feels blessed to hopefully express her love , compassion and concern for
those who may be grieving the loss of a loved one.
Sarah McCleary
Funeral Staff
Sarah Brantley McCleary was born in Treutlen County where she has lived the majority of her lifetime. She graduated
from Treutlen High School before attending Georgia Southern University.
Sarah worked as Plant Manager for Soperton Manufacturing / Woolrich, Inc for 32 years before retiring. She later worked as Executive Director of the Soperton Housing Authority.
She is married to Floy McCleary and they are both active members of Lothair United Methodist Church.
Possessing a sincere love for people, she feels blessed to hopefully express her love , compassion and concern for
those who may be grieving the loss of a loved one.
Jack Sweat
Funeral Staff, retired
Jack Sweat has been associated with Sammons Funeral Home since 1993. He is known as the owner/operator of Sweat’s Bar-B-Q, formerly located near Interstate 16, Soperton. He is retired from the United States Army, where he served during World War II.
Jack and his wife Grace live in Soperton and are members of the First Baptist Church. Jack is also a member of the Soperton Lions Club, the VFW, and the Second Armored Cavalry Association.
Mr. Sweat passed away on October 20th, 2018.
Jack Sweat
Funeral Staff, retired
Jack Sweat has been associated with Sammons Funeral Home since 1993. He is known as the owner/operator of Sweat’s Bar-B-Q, formerly located near Interstate 16, Soperton. He is retired from the United States Army, where he served during World War II.
Jack and his wife Grace live in Soperton and are members of the First Baptist Church. Jack is also a member of the Soperton Lions Club, the VFW, and the Second Armored Cavalry Association.
Mr. Sweat passed away on October 20th, 2018.
Buck Walker
Funeral Staff, retired
Buck Walker has been associated with Sammons Funeral Home since retiring from Forstmann, East Dublin in 1992. He is married to Ruby Walker. They reside in Soperton and are members of Orianna Baptist Church.
Buck Walker
Funeral Staff, retired
Buck Walker has been associated with Sammons Funeral Home since retiring from Forstmann, East Dublin in 1992. He is married to Ruby Walker. They reside in Soperton and are members of Orianna Baptist Church.
Bill Griffin
Funeral Staff
Bill was born in Macon, GA, the son of the late Harold Griffin and Johnny & Dedee Webb. Bill grew up helping his father, who was employed at Crest Lawn Funeral Home in Macon. He and his sister Julie grew up in the Macon & Warner Robins area until 1979, when the family moved to Adrian. Bill graduated from Adrian High School before attending Swainsboro Technical College. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1982, where he served as a C-141B & C-17A loadmaster at Charleston AFB, SC. In 2001, he was assigned to HQ Air Force Reserve Command Center, Robins AFB, GA, where he was selected as NCOIC of console operations. He served a total of 32 years before retiring in 2014.
Bill was a longtime member of Corinth UMC before moving his membership to Adrian Baptist Church. Bill is also a member of the local Southern gospel group, Sandra & Friends, where he is the sound technician. Bill is married to Angie Riner. They reside in Meeks, where they have restored the home of Angie’s grandparents, Morris T & Sophie Riner, which was originally built in 1945.
Bill Griffin
Funeral Staff
Bill was born in Macon, GA, the son of the late Harold Griffin and Johnny & Dedee Webb. Bill grew up helping his father, who was employed at Crest Lawn Funeral Home in Macon. He and his sister Julie grew up in the Macon & Warner Robins area until 1979, when the family moved to Adrian. Bill graduated from Adrian High School before attending Swainsboro Technical College. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1982, where he served as a C-141B & C-17A loadmaster at Charleston AFB, SC. In 2001, he was assigned to HQ Air Force Reserve Command Center, Robins AFB, GA, where he was selected as NCOIC of console operations. He served a total of 32 years before retiring in 2014.
Bill was a longtime member of Corinth UMC before moving his membership to Adrian Baptist Church. Bill is also a member of the local Southern gospel group, Sandra & Friends, where he is the sound technician. Bill is married to Angie Riner. They reside in Meeks, where they have restored the home of Angie’s grandparents, Morris T & Sophie Riner, which was originally built in 1945.
Reverend Milton Thomas
Funeral Staff
Reverend Milton Thomas
Funeral Staff