Mr. Gary Taft Mercer, age 72, of Sandersville passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023, following an extended illness. A funeral service with military honors will be held on Wednesday, December 20 at 2:00 P.M. in the May and Smith Funeral Home of Sandersville. Reverend Tony Mimbs and Reverend Wade Dawson will officiate. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 1:00 P.M. until the hour of service at the Funeral Home. A private entombment will be held in the Memorial Park Cemetery of Macon.
Mr. Mercer was born in Dublin, the son of the late Johnny Taft Mercer and the late Laverne Morrison Adams. Following the passing of his father, he was reared in Macon by his mother and step-father, Bobby Adams. After graduating high school, Gary enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country for six years during the Vietnam Conflict. Mr. Mercer then began a 35-year career in the Kaolin Industry with Freeport Kaolin and Englehard Corporation. In retirement, he worked for Sandersville Builders Supply. Gary was a member of the Ridgeland Heights Baptist Church, serving as Deacon and Church Music Director. Mr. Mercer was an avid outdoors man – loving to fish and hunt, especially doves. He enjoyed traveling to the mountains and coast. Gary is preceded in death by his sons, Jason Mercer and Shan Hobbs.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie Mercer; sons, Johnny “Scooter” Mercer of Haddock and Shayne Woods of Sandersville; grandchildren, Alexis Clance, Alexis Mercer, Dalton Anderson, and Lance Mercer and wife Jessica; nine great-grandchildren; nieces, Christie Thompson and husband Bud, Nickie Brooks and husband Steve, Brandy Faulkner, and Michelle Collier and husband Brian; and his companion pet, Bella Ann.
The family may be contacted at the Mercer residence on Highway 24 West in Sandersville.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.