AMERICUS — Mr. Garland Lane Mears, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, at St. John’s Anglican Church, with the Rev. Jim Parker officiating. A private interment was to follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family received friends between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, at St. John’s Anglican Church.

The following gentlemen were asked to serve as pallbearers: Jim Reid, William Reid, Stephen Tanner, Ross Chambliss, Lance Luvin, William Rambo, and Darrell Hobgood.

Born Nov. 1, 1934 in Miller County, Ga., he was a son of the late Isaac Franklin Mears and the late Jimmie Dukes Mears. He moved to Americus in 1967, where he owned and operated Garland Mears Irrigation Company until his retirement in 2003.

Mr. Mears was a founding member of St. John’s Anglican Church and was a lay minister. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Romeo Lunch Group. He was a veteran of the United States Army.

Survivors include two sons: Robert Mears (Anna) of Marietta, and the Rev. Curtis Mears (Bonnie) of St. Simons Island; two daughters: Wanda Keeney (Randall) of Greensboro, N.C., and Beth Cameron (Sid) of Americus; six grandchildren: Lane Elms (Erica), Alexis Lane Potter (Gene), Robin Elms (Jeff Poole), Amy Becton, Selby Fowler (Brady), and Lori Cameron; seven great-grandchildren; his sweetheart of 12 years, Kay Guttenberg of Americus; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 43 years, LaVona Young Mears; by two brothers: George Mears and J.L. Mears; and by one sister, Thelma Lovering.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Anglican Church, 230 Southland Road, Americus, GA 31709; or to Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, P.O. Box 1000, Stockbridge GA 30281.

To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com

Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mr. Garland Lane Mears.