McLane Funeral and Cremation Services

09/03/2026

William Foster Fletcher

William Foster Fletcher, 74, of Valdosta, passed away on September 1, 2026, at South Georgia Medical Center, following a brief illness.

Born in Valdosta on April 17, 1952, Foster was the son of the late Freeman & Sara Fletcher. A lifelong resident of Valdosta, he was a carpenter whose craftsmanship, strong work ethic and generous willingness to help others were evident throughout his life. He loved watching Westerns and attended Swilley Hill Church of God and First Assembly of God. He worked for 25 years at Scruggs Concrete and then at Valdosta State Prison before retiring.

Foster is survived by his daughters, Teresa Odum and Garlene Anderson (Keith); his two brothers and a sister in law, Bobby & Virginia Fletcher of Valdosta and Raymond Fletcher of Valdosta; two sisters, Maxine Martin and Vivian Parrish, both of Valdosta, a brother in law, Morris Witherspoon and a former brother in law, Johnny Martin; grandchildren, Anna Raby, Daniele (& Ray, III) Oliver and Lynch (& Kayla) Hatfield, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Fletcher, a brother Freeman Fletcher, Jr. and his sister, Peggy Witherspoon.

The funeral for Foster will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in the Chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. The burial will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 10 am until service time. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home

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09/03/2026

Sandra Fay “Sandy” Yarbrough

Sandra Fay “Sandy” Paladino Yarbrough passed away Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, after a lengthy illness.

She was 77 years old.

The daughter of the late Pat and Dulcie Paladino, Sandy was born Feb. 27, 1949, in Orlando, Fla. Sandy was preceded in death by husband Air Force Lt. Col. Larry Yarbrough, who passed away in 2020 after 53 years of marriage.

Sandy was a Realtor for several years. She became a real estate broker and owned Cottages and Castles. She loved to cook, tell stories, the Georgia Bulldogs and spend time with her children and grandchildren. She made her house and pool the gathering place for her friends and family, especially her grandsons and their friends, who all knew her as “Grams."

She endured the effects of primary lateral sclerosis for many years. She didn’t complain but carried herself with grace; rather than speak of her ills, she spoke of her blessings.

She was of the Methodist faith.

Sandy is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Jetty and Dean Poling and Cindy and Craig Bardes, all of Valdosta; five grandsons, Brian Poling (Taylor), Daniel Poling (Charlee), Andrew Bardes (Erin), Matthew Poling and James Bardes, all of Valdosta; great-grandchildren, Monroe Day, Zayne Day, Scarlett-Rose Hall, Ava Bardes; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. Visitation is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, Carson McLane Funeral Home in Valdosta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Foundation, ALS.org.

Online condolences may be shared on the obituary page at www.mclanecares.com

Carson McLane Funeral Home

View Sandra Fay “Sandy” Yarbrough's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/02/2026

Louis "Ski" Nawolski

Louis “Ski” Nawolski, 77, of Valdosta, Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, with his children by his side.

In July, after dropping off his granddaughter at the Valdosta airport, Ski suffered a fall that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Despite the odds, he survived those critical first five days, and his family was grateful to be given six more weeks with him. When his body grew tired, he passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his children.

Ski was born August 19, 1949, in Bad Mergentheim, Germany, to the late Margaret and Josef Nawolski. At the age of six, he came to the United States, where he would go on to build a life defined by service, hard work, family, generosity, and plenty of laughter.

He proudly served his country for 20 years in the United States Air Force, including during the Vietnam era, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant. Following his military career, Ski began a second career with the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier. He took great pride in his work and, over the years, came to know many of the residents and businesses along his route. After 30 years with the Postal Service, he proudly retired at the age of 70.

Ski loved to fish, and some of his children's and grandchildren's favorite memories are of time spent fishing with him—along with plenty of stories about the fishing trips that went well and the ones that did not. He was also a lifelong aviation enthusiast who could happily talk about airplanes and share his knowledge with anyone willing to listen.

More than anything, Ski will be remembered for the way he made people feel. He was generous with those he met and always seemed to have a joke ready when someone needed a smile. He found joy in making people laugh and brightening their day, and that simple kindness became one of the ways he showed he cared.

Ski is survived by his daughter, Heather Nawolski (Scott Giannunzio) of Oneida, Wisconsin; his son, Corey Nawolski (Jennifer Beal, AMFDIL) of Valdosta; his sister, Wanda Lacroix of Holyoke, Massachusetts; his granddaughters, Georgia Giannunzio and Gianah Giannunzio, both of Oneida, Wisconsin; and longtime family friend Charlie Harrison of Valdosta.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Debbie Nawolski; his parents, Margaret and Josef Nawolski; and his sister, Doris Lemagdelaine.

No services are planned at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to honor Ski, share stories and celebrate the impact he had on the people fortunate enough to know him.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.mclanecares.com. In lieu of flowers, tell someone a joke and brighten their day. Ski would have liked that.

View Louis "Ski" Nawolski's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/02/2026

Dr. Clem Brannen

Dr. Clem Brannen of Atlanta passed away on Friday, August 28, 2026. He was born in Atlanta in 1950 and moved to Valdosta at an early age. He graduated from Valdosta High School in 1969, where he served as manager of the Wildcat football team. Following high school, he attended the University of Georgia, where he studied science, before transferring to Emory Dental School. While at the University of Georgia he was a faithful member of the Kappa Alpha Order of Men, as was his father.

Graduating from dental school in the late 1970s, Dr. Brannen began practicing dentistry in Peachtree City where he stayed for several years. He later practiced in Tucker, where he established his own dental practice surrounded by his faithful girls, Lori, Heather and Helen. He retired after more than 45 years as a dentist.

Playing tennis and traveling with family and friends were Dr. Brannen’s favorite pastimes. He especially enjoyed Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, the Florida Keys, and the Caribbean. He also loved his Georgia Bulldogs, hunting, fishing, being in the outdoors and enjoying sunsets.

Dr. Brannen is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Rosemary Brannen of Valdosta; his sister, Jo Martiel Brannen of Canton, NC; and his nieces and nephews, Ben (Jodi) Brannen of Valdosta, Rebecca (Brian) Karlowicz of Atlanta, Anders (Amber) Wallace of Lake Worth, FL, and Kiersten (Patrick) Showell of West Palm Beach, FL; as well as five great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Harrison Brannen and Vivian Martiel McIlvaine Brannen.

A Celebration of Life for Dr. Brannen will be held at 10 am on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the Park Avenue Church with a Toast to Life to take place at Park Place by McLane following the service. Rev. Jimmy Towson and Rev. Jamie Bone will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 2263 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602.

Online condolences may be shared on the obituary page at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home is assisting the Brannen family at this time.

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09/02/2026

What paperwork do I need for military honors?

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09/01/2026

Eric Barnes

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 6–8 p.m. at Martin McLane Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Martin McLane Funeral Home, with Mr. James Exum officiating. Burial will follow at Campground Cemetery.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.mclanecares.com.

Martin McLane Funeral Home is serving the Barnes family.

View Eric Barnes's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/01/2026

Ganelle M. Shaw

Ganelle M. Shaw, 99, of Valdosta, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026. She was born on December 5, 1926 in Fitzgerald, GA, to the late Cora Bell Minix and Elijah Sapp Minix.

Mrs. Shaw loved God, her church, and her family. She was very dedicated to her faith and attended the Abundant Life Church of God where she taught Sunday School and helped with the church craft booth. She loved sewing and cooking, and loved her plants as well. Mrs. Shaw loved her family with every fiber of her being, and there has never been a sacrifice that was too great to make for them.

She is survived by her three children, Gordon (Tenya) Shaw of Ray City, GA, Steve (Natasha) Shaw of Pinetta, FL, and Sandra Shaw of Valdosta, GA; grandchildren, Eric (Candy) Shaw, Emily White, Joshua Strickland, Brittany (Devin) Thigpen, and Stephanie (Cory) Kent; and great-grandchildren, Kaden Kent, Karsen Kent, Kole Kent, Everleigh Kent, Esther Ganelle Kent, Liam Mcmullan, Loden Wade, Savana (Dustin) Adams, Katelyn (Matthew) Lewis, Gabe White, Caleb White, Court Shaw, Corsa Adams, Hudson Lewis, and Olivia Lewis. She was preceded by her parents; her husband, Walter Leon Shaw; brothers, Edwin Minix and Ernest Minix; and grandchildren Kristen Wade and Brannon Shaw.

She may no longer be living on this Earth, but she’s very much alive in heaven and in the hearts of each of her loved ones.

A funeral service for Mrs. Shaw will be held at the Abundant Life Church of God on Thursday, September 3 at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service from 10 – 11 a.m. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.

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08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Larry Adams

Larry Adams, 81, of Quitman, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Valdosta on May 13, 1945, to the late William Charles Adams and Christine Phillips Adams. He grew up in Valdosta and graduated from Valdosta High School in the early 1960s. He then attended Valdosta State College (now Valdosta State University) and the University of Georgia. Larry taught school for three years and also taught music before beginning his career with the State of Georgia in the Department of Family and Children Services. He worked for DFACS for 34 years before retiring in 2000.

Larry also directed the choir at the Moody Air Force Base Chapel for 25 years and served as choir director at Quitman United Methodist Church for 42 years. He loved planting and working in his yards and garden, and he especially enjoyed growing camellias.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Judy Fite Adams of Quitman; his son, Gibson Charles Adams of Lake Park; and his daughter, Suzanne Meredith Moore of Quitman. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ty Adams, Katelyn Stokes (Brandon), Dylan Moore, Skye Moon, Colin Stephenson, and Dravin Stephenson; his former son-in-law, Joey Moore; and his great-grandchildren, Chance Adams and Mia Stokes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, William Adams; and his grandsons, Dalton Adams and Daniel Box.

A funeral service for Larry will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Quitman United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. Those wishing to honor Larry's memory may choose floral arrangements through Zant’s or make a donation toward the floral services. Online condolences may be shared at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.

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