Growing up in a household with parents J.W. Graham and Rebena Graham, we learned early on the concept of Graham Time, that is, bags could be packed for a road trip to see family that would remain by the door until Dad bellowed, “Let’s ramble,” which was usually days later. They were a fitting pair because Rebena was often late and liked to say, with a smile, an exclamation point and genuine optimism: “They can’t start without me!”
So, here we are, siblings holding Rebena’s celebration of life service, Oct. 25, 2025, over four years after God blessed her with 90 fun-filled years on earth, before calling her home, as she slept in a new nightgown, on July 19, 2021.
Mark Shane Stephens, died November 18, 2007. He was born December 26, 1960, to Bill Stephens and Rebena (Thompson) Stephens in Little Rock, Arkansas. His young years were spent in Hot Springs and Macon, Georgia. In 1971, the family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee where Mark graduated from high school and attended Chattanooga State Community College. He worked for his parents in their family business. Mark was a member of Central Baptist Church in Chattanooga.
Mark was proceeded in death by his father William C. Stephens; his uncles: Ensign Thomas W. Stephens, Robert L. Stephens and James F. Stephens; his aunt, Rose Marie Thompson; and stepfather, Joseph W. Graham. His grandparents were: Lewis and Hallie (Faucette) Stephens of Hot Springs and Sherrod B. and Melvena (White) Thompson of Russellville, Arkansas. Mark’s great-grandparents were J.P. and Emma (Hogins) Faucette of North Little Rock.
MR. GLYNN ESTES TARPLEY, age 69, of Eastman, GA, died Sunday, September 21, 2025, at his residence.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, September 24, 2025, in Southerland Funeral Chapel with Rev. Myron Parkerson and Mr. Hank Sapp officiating.
HADDEN THOMAS KELLY, age 17, of Eastman, GA, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025, at Dodge County Hospital.
The family will receive friends and family in Eastman First Baptist from 2:00PM-4:00PM Monday, September 22. Funeral services will be held at 4:00PM, Monday, September 22, at Eastman First Baptist Church, with Rev. Ricky Gilmore and Mr. Chad Kelly officiating, with interment in Chauncey City Cemetery.
MRS. MATTIE HELEN SHEFFIELD PEACOCK, age 92, formerly of Gray, GA, died Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, GA.
The family will receive friends and family in Mt. Ararat Freewill Baptist Church from 2:00PM-2:30PM Sunday, September 14. Funeral services will follow at 2:30PM Sunday, September 14, in Mt. Ararat Freewill Baptist Church, with interment in Mt. Ararat Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery.
MR. CLIFTON N. “CLICK” JONES, age 94, of Eastman, GA, died Monday, September 8, 2025, at his residence.
The family will receive friends and family from 6:00PM-8:00PM Thursday, September 11, at Southerland Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Friday, September 12, in Hillside Baptist Church, with Rev. Daniel Cook, Rev. Chad Hendley and Rev. Michael Soud officiating, with interment in Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
With the Lord walking beside him, Jeremiah Douglas “Birddogg” NeSmith entered his eternal paradise in July 2025, and his passing was confirmed on September 2, 2025.
The family will receive friends and family in Sweet Home Baptist Church in Chauncey, GA from 10:00AM-11:00AM Saturday, September 27. A celebration of life service will follow the visitation, at 11:00AM Saturday, September 27, with Mr. Tom Jackson and Mr. Dwayne Williams officiating.
MR. WILLIAM ROBERT SINGLETARY, age 66, of Eastman, GA, died Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta, GA.
The family will receive friends and family in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 10:00AM-11:00AM Wednesday, September 10. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM, following the visitation, with Rev. Patrick Barnett officiating, with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.
MR. TIMOTHY FELTON “TIM” ALLEN, age 63, Eastman, GA, died on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, GA.
The family will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 1:30PM-2:30PM Sunday, August 31. A celebration of life graveside service will be held at 3:00PM Sunday, August 31, at Woodlawn Cemetery, with Mr. Shelly Berryhill and Rev. Troy Davis officiating.
MR. BILLY RAY AMERSON, age 85, of Chester, GA, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Etowah Landing Nursing Home in Rome, GA.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Pine Level Freewill Baptist Church, with Rev. Ricky Gilmore officiating.
Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.