Helen Cowart Lightsey

Nobles Funeral Home and Crematory announces the funeral service for Ms. Helen Cowart Lightsey, age 76, who passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023, surrounded by her loving family under the care of Hospice of South Georgia. Ms. Lightsey was a retired educator of thirty-eight years with the Appling County Board of Education at the Appling County Elementary Complex where she taught Special Education. She was fluent in sign language and her passion was helping children communicate. Ms. Helen grew up playing many sports including basketball and softball, later coaching softball alongside her son Andy. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan and loved watching her Georgia Bulldogs. Ms. Helen’s main love was her family and witnessing to people about her relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ms. Lightsey is preceded in death by her husband, Lindon Lightsey; her parents, Jesse and Maggie Spivey Cowart; and two brothers, Billy Cowart and Jerry Cowart.

Surviving are her four children, Andy Dowdney (Janey), Misty Avera (Chris), Craig Lightsey (Wendy) and Kevin Lightsey (Tania);  fifteen grandchildren, Jessy Johnson (Derek), Sydney Rinaldi (Tyler), Hadley Avera (Billy), Drew Dowdney (Jayden), Micah Avera, Adison Avera, Brynlee Kate Avera, Caleb Karnoutsos, Mallory Wheeler (Jacob), Tyler Avera (Jessie), Ryan Freeman (Chelsea), Alex Ward (Brandon), Chesnee Freeman, Davin Lightsey, and Emma Lightsey; three sisters, Lila Everett (Winston), Jan Whitley (Larry), and Deanna Cowart; several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Bill Riggle also survive.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. from the Baxley Church of God with Reverend James Lightsey and Reverend Lamar Lee officiating.

Interment will follow in the Memorial Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Nobles Funeral Home.

Active Pallbearers are Micah Avera, Drew Dowdney, Tyler Avera, Billy Chaney, Tyler Rinaldi, Derek Johnson, Evan Johnson, Caleb Karnoutsos, Jacob Wheeler, Ryan Freeman, and Davin Lightsey.

Honorary Pallbearers will be all in attendance, the staff of Hospice of South Georgia, and the current and former employees of the Appling County Elementary Complex.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to Hospice of South Georgia.

Nobles Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Ms. Helen Cowart Lightsey.