Ramona Tempie Bagwell Mercer Metter- Mrs. Ramona Tempie Bagwell Mercer, 86, of Metter entered eternal peace at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro on Thursday, September 25, 2014. One of seven children she was raised by Tom and Grace Bagwell in Fairview, NC (a suburb of Asheville). She met her husband of 59 years, Dr. Russell Mercer, in June of 1952 at Appalachian State University. Russell proposed at Bat Cave, NC and they were married that following Christmas day in High Shoals, NC. After earning her Bachelor's Degree in home economics, Ramona taught every grade except third during her 30 year career, though she primarily taught second grade. After residing in North Carolina and greater Atlanta, the Mercers retired home to Metter 1982. Ramona devoted herself to the community serving proudly on the 1987 Candler County Library Board of Trustees, the Retired Teachers Association, and the Metter Garden Club. She loved her church, First Baptist Church of Metter, and provided meals for the hospitality outreach, and joyfully sang in the choir. A talented painter, Ramona painted the Baptistery background at the church. Ramona was a fine southern lady most notably known for being a devoted wife, sweetheart to her friends, and for her sense of humor. She loved Elvis and gospel music. She will be remembered for her delicious meals, how she filled the house with laughter and her infectious sweet nature that was dear to everyone that knew her. A faithful Christian wife and mother her legacy is her amazing love that that she gave her husband, children and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Dr. Russell Mercer, Jr., daughter in law Helen Mercer, parents Tom and Grace Bagwell, and sisters Eldeva Merrill and Lillie Mae Bagwell. She is survived by her daughters, Julia Dawn Mercer, and Janie (Cleveland) Slater. Sons, Major Charles (Elaine) Mercer and Seaborn (Dr. Alicia) Mercer. Grandchildren, Russell (Karen) Vandiver, 1LT. Stephen Mercer, Ramona Grace (Travis) King, Seaborn, Jr. and Jack Mercer, Carolina and Joseph Slater; two great-grand daughters Ivy Vandiver and Amie Grace King. Also surviving are siblings Rev. Jack Bagwell, Dan Bagwell, Lou Hager and Bertha Dellinger; and two devoted and beloved friends, Mary Waters and Sara Gillis. Visitation will be Saturday, September 27, 2014 5:00-7:00pm at Kennedy-Brannen Funeral Homes Metter Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, September 28, 2014 3:00pm at the First Baptist Church of Metter with Dr. Bill Perry officiating. The body will lie in state at the church from 2:00pm until time of the service, Burial will follow at the Primitive Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers: Russell Vandiver, Joseph Slater, and the Naomi Esther Sunday School Class. Pallbearers: Major Charles Mercer, Seaborn Mercer, Cleveland Slater, Travis King, Jack Mercer, Ricky Mercer, Ben Franklin, and Jim O'Brien. Remembrances may be made to Candler County Relay for Life C/O Rhonda Hendrix Pineland State Bank P.O. Box 178, Metter, GA 30439 or Guido Evangelistic Association,Inc. 600 Burton Street, Metter, GA 30439

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