Wilcox
BLACKSHEAR — Mr. Billy Gene “Smiley” Wilcox, 81, of Blackshear, died Sunday morning, January 12, 2025, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House after an extended illness.
He was born in Jeff Davis County to the late Robert Wilcox and Fannie Mae Hand Wilcox. Wilcox lived most of his life in Hazlehurst bef ore moving to Blackshear in 2016.
He owned and operated Smiley’s Country Store in Hazlehurst, which he took great pride in. He attended Word of Life Church of God of Prophecy in Blackshear. Mr. Wilcox enjoyed sitting on his porch, reading his Bible, listening to gospel music and playing cards with his wife.
Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Marie Wilcox; two sisters, Wanell Wilcox and Agnes Kersey; and four brothers, Fred Wilcox, Homer Wilcox, Walter Wilcox and Carlos Wilcox.
Wilcox is survived by four daughters, Sandy McCumbers (granddaughter Jada) of Denton, Ga., Cindy Black (Earl), Strickland (James Hunt), and Helen Sirmons (Kevin), all of Blackshear; four sons, Kendall Wilcox, Ronnie Whitley (Patsy) both of Hazlehurst, Bryan Whitley (Sharon) and Bruce Whitley (April), both of Blackshear; 19 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., today (Wednesday, January 15) in the Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel. A burial will follow in Blackshear City Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome. com.
