Checking the Macon Telegraph obituaries this week isn't just about reading names. It’s a ritual. Honestly, if you grew up in Middle Georgia, you know that the "Telegraph" is basically the town square in paper form. People often think finding a recent tribute is as simple as a quick Google search, but there is a lot of nuance you’ve probably missed.
Between Jan. 12 and Jan. 15, 2026, the community has said goodbye to some truly remarkable individuals. We’re talking about veterans, lifelong educators, and the "Johnny Cuz" types who made Macon feel like a small town despite its growing skyline.
Who We Lost: Notable Macon Telegraph Obituaries This Week
It’s been a heavy few days for many families. One name that stands out is John Eugene Swann, known affectionately as “Johnny Cuz.” He passed away on Jan. 12 at 68. If you knew Johnny, you knew a man who loved his Lord and his city. His celebration of life is set for Saturday, Jan. 17, at Calvary Baptist Church. It’s one of those services where the pews will likely be packed with people sharing stories of his "Cuz" nickname.
Then there is Ann Rose Weeks, who lived a full 88 years before passing on Jan. 12. Her service isn't until Jan. 20 at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, which gives out-of-town family a chance to make the trek back to Georgia.
Don't overlook the passing of Mary JoAnn Carney. She was 65 and served as a cryptologist in the Navy—talk about a cool life story. She was a "Mot" to her grandkids and a wizard with numbers.
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Recent Tributes and Services
- Phillip G. Anderson: Passed Jan. 11. He was a Fort Valley native who battled illness for years but remained a fixture in the local consciousness.
- James Daniel "Dan" Williams: A man of "quiet strength" who left us on Jan. 11 at age 72.
- Lillie Mae Austin: Her notice appeared mid-week, marking the end of a long journey for a woman many in the community regarded as a matriarch.
- Roger Jeffery Heath: Passed Jan. 12. His celebration is also scheduled for this coming Saturday at Snow’s on Bass Road.
The Digital Shift: How to Actually Find These Records
You’d think in 2026 we’d have a "Death Netflix" where everything is perfectly synced. Not quite. The Macon Telegraph obituaries this week are spread across a few different platforms.
The paper itself partners with Legacy.com. That’s where you’ll find the "official" published notices that families pay for. But here’s the kicker: many local funeral homes like Hart’s Mortuary or Snow’s Memorial Chapel post their own long-form tributes before they ever hit the newspaper. If you only look at the Telegraph's site, you might miss the visitation details for someone like Jane McCarter Maynard, whose family held visitation at Lizella Baptist Church.
Kinda frustrating, right? You have to be a bit of a detective.
Why the "Telegraph" Still Matters in a Digital Age
Some people say local newspapers are dying. Those people clearly don't live in Bibb County. For a lot of families, seeing a loved one’s face in the printed Sunday edition is a final act of respect. It makes it "real" in a way a Facebook post just doesn't.
Take Albert Edward "Al" Pallas Jr., for example. He passed away on Jan. 9, just shy of his 101st birthday. A century of life! A life like that deserves the ink and the permanence of a newsprint record. He was a staple in Lizella, and seeing his name in the Macon Telegraph obituaries this week is a way for the whole county to acknowledge a century of history passing away.
The Practical Side: Placing a Notice
If you find yourself on the other side of this—having to write one—brace yourself. It isn't cheap. Usually, you’re looking at a base price that starts around $200 to $300 for a very basic 15-line notice.
Want a photo? That’s extra. Want it to run for three days so people actually see it? You’re likely looking at $500+.
Most folks work through the funeral home to handle this because, frankly, when you’re grieving, the last thing you want to do is argue with a self-service advertising portal about character counts and .jpg compression.
Pro-Tips for Finding Information
- Check the Funeral Home First: Search for "Hart's Mortuary obituaries" or "Richard R. Robinson cares." They often have the info 24 hours before the paper does.
- Use the "Legacy" Filter: If you’re on the Telegraph site, filter by "last 24 hours" or "last 7 days" to avoid scrolling through months of records.
- Social Media Groups: "Macon Memories" and similar Facebook groups often share these notices and add personal anecdotes you won't find in the formal text.
What You Might Have Missed
The sheer volume of notices this week is a reminder of the aging population in Middle Georgia. We saw notices for Tennessee Wilson, who was 99, and Doris Laverne Thomas, who was 97. These are the "Greatest Generation" folks. Their obituaries are often filled with mentions of "Victory Gardens," "The War," and "The Mill," providing a window into a version of Macon that basically doesn't exist anymore.
On the flip side, we saw the heartbreaking notice for Lucas Sweatman, only 25 years old. His family asked guests to wear bright colors to his celebration of life. That’s a stark contrast to the traditional black-tie services you see for the older guard. It shows how the culture of mourning in Macon is shifting—less about "solemnity" and more about "celebrating the vibe" of the person lost.
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Moving Forward with the Information
If you’re looking for someone specific in the Macon Telegraph obituaries this week, your best bet is to check the digital archives between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. That’s usually when the new batch of "Paid Notices" hits the web after the morning print run.
Don't just look for the name. Look for the "Celebration of Life" keywords. In 2026, more people are opting for informal gatherings at parks or local venues like The Society Garden rather than traditional church pews.
If you want to honor someone mentioned this week, consider a donation to the Evansville Rescue Mission (as requested by Mary Carney’s family) or the American Heart Association (requested for Nancy Hull). These small acts of "actionable memory" are often what families value more than a bouquet of lilies that will wilt in three days.
To stay updated, bookmark the Telegraph’s obituary landing page, but keep a tab open for the local funeral home sites. It’s the only way to get the full picture of who we’re losing in the Heart of Georgia.
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Next Steps for You
- Verify Service Times: Always double-check the funeral home’s direct website (like Hart's or Snow's) before driving to a service, as times can shift due to weather or family needs.
- Search by Parish or Church: If you can't find a name, search the bulletin of the church the person attended; many Macon churches like Mulberry Street UMC post their own "In Memoriam" sections weekly.
- Set a Google Alert: For specific family names in the Macon area, set a Google Alert for "Macon Telegraph obituaries [Last Name]" to get an email the second a notice is indexed.