Thomaston Church of God

02/12/2026

Obituary
Mrs. Donna Kay Strom, age 75 of Thomaston, died Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Upson Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Strom was born on October 13, 1950, in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Thomas Edison Kirkland and the late Catherine McKinley Kirkland. She worked at Ingles Supermarket as a cashier and was a member of Calvary's Lighthouse Pentecostal Church. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her stepmother, Opal Kirkland, who stepped in and raised her after her mother's passing, and brother, Micheal Thomas Kirkland.

Survivors include her husband, Danny Strom of Thomaston, sons, Jeremy Strom of Thomaston, Jordan Strom of Thomaston, sister, Debra (Jim) Rosborough of Sumner, Illinois, cousin Joy (Hulon) Burnette of Thomaston, and many nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Crystal Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Coggins Funeral Home.

01/28/2026

Rachel Hammock
Coggins Funeral Home

Rachel Hammock
October 6, 1945 - January 20,
Obituary
Mrs. Rachel Hammock age 80 of Thomaston, died Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Brightmoor Hospice.

Mrs. Hammock was born on October 6, 1945, in Pike County, Georgia to the late Grover Langford, and the late Louise Hatchett Langford. She worked for Upson Regional Medical Center as a security guard, at the Thomaston location and a building supervisor at the Barnesville location. She was a longtime member of the Thomaston Church of God and later joined the First Assembly of God in Thomaston. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Eugene "Gene" Hammock, and her son in law, Tommy Arnold.

Survivors include her daughters, Ronda Arnold of Manchester, Monica Hammock of Thomaston, sisters, Phyllis Watts of Thomaston, Trellis Ellington of Thomaston, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. from the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Upson Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Coggins Funeral Home.

07/05/2023

Rev. Edward Jackson Rigby
March 26, 1945 - July 3, 2023
Rev. Edward Jackson Rigby, age 78, of Thomaston, died Monday, July 3, 2023, at his residence. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 6, at 11:00 AM, in the chapel of Fletcher-Day Funeral Home with Rev. Don Sansbury, Rev. David Rigby, and Rev. Greg Soles officiating. Burial will be in Blue Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Rockledge, GA, on Thursday at 3:00 PM. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, July 5, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home.

Rev. Rigby was born in Laurens County, GA, on March 26, 1945, to the late Ernest Jackson Rigby and the late Annie Mae Wynn Rigby. Rev. Rigby pastored many churches including Pendleton Creek Church of God, Lakeland Church of God, Waldrop Avenue Church of God, Union Grove Church of God , Thomaston Church of God, and Brown Springs Church of God. Rev. Rigby was instrumental in securing funding for the Smoky Mountains Children's Home in Sevierville, TN, and he served on their board of directors for ten years. He also served on the board of directors of the Florida Boys' Ranch.

In addition to his parents, Rev. Rigby was preceded in death by a son, Gary Rigby. He is survived by his wife, Lattner Rigby of Thomaston; a son, Greg (Tracy) Rigby of Canton, GA; a granddaughter, Savannah Rigby of Tifton, GA; and siblings: Eunice Pope, Annie Wilburn, Lonnie Thomas, Edna Rigby, Algerine Garnto, Preston Garnto, James Rigby, and Joe Rigby.

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arragements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.

03/16/2022

12/27/2021

Mr. Robert Virgil Byrd age 73 of Thomaston Ga., died Saturday December 25, 2021 at his residence.
Mr. Byrd was born on June 26, 1948 in Thomaston Ga., to the late Virgil Byrd and the late Mattie Ruth Blair Byrd. He worked for Wal-Mart for many years and was a member of Thomaston Church of God.
He is survived by his nephew Jeff Austin of Lizella Ga.
Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

10/18/2021

Sis. Martin blessed so many people! She was such an encouragement when Danny pastored the Thomaston Church of God!

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09/04/2021

BETTY'S OBITUARY
Mrs. Betty Shiflet age 93 of Thomaston Ga., died Friday September 3, 2021 at her residence.

Mrs. Shiflet was born on May 23, 1928 in Fulton County to the late Fred P. Ward and the late Pauline Coates. She was formerly employed with The William Carter Company where she worked as a seamstress for many years. Mrs. Shiflet was a member of Thomaston Church of God. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her son Steve Shiflet.

Survivors include her husband Mr. Ed Shiflet of Thomaston Ga., daughter Mrs. Allison (Rod) Henderson of Athens Ga., son Mr. Bruce Shiflet of Brunswick Ga., sister Mrs. Juanita Caldwell of Marietta Ga., 4 grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday September 7, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Crystal hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Coggins Funeral Home on Tuesday September 7, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

04/26/2021

HAZEL'S OBITUARY
Mrs. Hazel Sprayberry Shepherd, age 91, of Shepherd Road in Meansville, entered into her Eternal Rest Sunday, April 25, 2021.
Mrs. Shepherd was born July 11, 1929, in Porterdale, Georgia to Brice and Bertha Sprayberry. Mrs. Shepherd married Wesley Eugene (Gene) Shepherd December 6, 1947, and loved going with him on trips until his death in 2007. She worked as a weaver at Thomaston mills for 38 years. Mrs. Shepherd will be remembered for enjoying riding her John Deere lawnmower, w**d eating her yard, and building the fence around her yard. In her later years, she loved making ceramics and painting on glass, canvas, and cloth. After he retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her family. She joined the Thomaston Church of God on November 5, 1961, and was a dedicated Christian who was faithful in supporting the Kingdom of God.
She left a legacy that will be cherished by two daughters, Carlene (Rodney) Wainwright of Thomaston, Elaine (Danny) Henderson of Athens, Georgia; four grandchildren, Brian Nicholas of Meansville, Shelley (Neal) Wilborn of Meansville, Stephen (Andrea) Henderson of Athens, Georgia, and Philip Henderson of Amman, Jordan; five great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Wilborn of Meansville, Mary Syble Nicholas of Meansville, and Luke Henderson, Isabella Henderson and Jude Henderson all of Athens, Georgia; one sister Ruby Whitlock of Pennsylvania; special nephews Pete (Betty) Fleming and Hugh Fratis (Jeanette) Fleming both of Thomaston.
A celebration of Mrs. Shepherd's life will be held on Saturday May 1, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. from the Coggins Funeral Home Chapel. Family visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at Coggins Funeral Home. Bishop Danny L. Henderson, Mrs. Shepherd's son in law, will officiate. Pallbearers will be Rodney Wainwright, Danny Henderson, Brian Nicholas, Neal Wilborn, Stephen Henderson, Philip Henderson, and honorary pallbearers Pete Fleming and Hugh Fratis Fleming. Burial will be in the family plot in Crystal Hill Cemetery with Bishop Stephen Henderson and Missionary Philip Henderson officiating.
Coggins Funeral Home in Thomaston has the privilege of being entrusted with the arrangements.

07/05/2020

Another Precious Saint of God is singing in Heaven.

Mrs. Shirley Young Mercer Wheeless,
April 7, 1935 - July 4, 2020
Mrs. Shirley Young Mercer Wheeless, 85, of Thomaston, died Saturday, July 4, 2020, at her residence. Funeral services for Mrs. Wheeless will be held on Tuesday, July 7, at 2:00 PM, at the Calvary Lighthouse Church with Bishop Danny Henderson and Rev. Mark Mercer officiating. Interment will follow in the Emory's Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday from 12:30 PM until the funeral hour.
Mrs. Wheeless was born on April 7, 1935, in Thomaston, to the late William Harlen Young and Annie Baughcum Young. She was a secretary for the operating room of Upson Regional Medical Center until her retirement in 1997. Mrs. Wheeless was a member of Calvary Lighthouse Church.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Wheeless was preceded in death by her husband, William O. Wheeless in 2018. She is survived by three daughters: Deborah (Dick) Hardy of Yatesville, GA; Lynda (Johnny) White of FL; and Tina (Luther) Lee of Thomaston; three sons: Dwight Dowdy; Allen (Lunelle) Mercer; and Rusty Mercer, all of Thomaston; a stepson, David (Emma) Wheeless of Fort Valley, GA; two brothers: Ellis (Susan) Young of Jackson, GA; and Franklin Young of Dahlonega, GA; nine grandchildren: April (Justin) Savage, Amelia Hardy, John Dowdy, Lance (Stephanie) Mercer; Johnathan (Caroline) Mercer; Brannon (Ivey) White, Stacy (Russ) Brumbelow, Chad Mercer, and Mellissa (Benji) Strange. Sixteen great grandchildren also survive.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Thomaston Hospice Foundation, 512 S. Center St., Thomaston, GA 30286, or to Calvary Lighthouse Church. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.Aother

03/20/2020

Another Saint has made it home. She will be dearly missed!

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02/26/2020

We enjoyed spending time with Willadean Pitts today. Sis. Pitts is 100 years old and has been part of the Church of God most of her life. She is such an encouragement. We also enjoyed visiting with Ruel and Diane Pitts. Of course we enjoyed singing and praying with them.