On Jan. 30, 2016, my mother, Ellen Hinely Exley, passed away peacefully at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro after many years of declining health. It was my privilege to be her daily caretaker, along with my father, for her last six months. She was a wife of over 63 years, Mama to my brother David and I, “Grandmama” to Brett, member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and every good thing that a wonderful loving generous talented mother could be.

I had to take some time off from this column to rest and deal with this life altering event and handle all that had to be done. Please accept my thanks to you for your inquiries about the missing column; and for your encouragement to write again.

Our family is grateful to each of you for your many and varied acts of kindness and remembrance since our painful loss. We miss her very much. Our prayer is that God will bless each of you as he has blessed us.

This was written by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos or historical information to share contact her at 754-6681 or email hesheraldexley@aol.com.