We regretfully announce the passing of Rev. Lucy Stanley, age 87, a longtime resident of Meriwether County, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at Piedmont Healthcare in Columbus, Georgia.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at White Plains United Methodist Church located at 1549 Graham Road, Hogansville, Georgia 30230 (St. Marks Community).

Service is live-streamed.

(See live stream link below)

Rev. Renee Clark, Pastor, will officiate and Rev. Yolanda Colton, (Pastor of Mount Olive United Methodist Church in Newnan), Eulogist. Interment will follow in The Olive Branch Cemetery #2.

Public viewing will be held on Friday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

The Family will receive Friends at the Church on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the hour of service..

Lucy entered this world at less than the desirable weight for an infant, but she grew to great stature in the eyes of God. Rev. Stanley is the fourth daughter born to the late Rev. Johnny L. and Brazola Stanley. She was a life-long resident of the St. Mark Community. A graduate of Greenville High School in Greenville, Georgia, she received her Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Valley State College in Fort Valley, Georgia, and a Master’s degree from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. Her career as an educator included teaching in Coweta County Public School System and Henry County School System, McDonough, Georgia where she taught business education courses, at Henry County High School for 29 years. While she grew up as Baptist, on any given Sunday morning, one could say she was a member of whatever church she found herself. Whatever church she was in he was seen serving God. She was called into the ministry in 1976 and has been faithful in the calling. Following the resignation and death of Rev. Willie Cameron, she has served as the interim pastor at the Bethlehem Baptist Church. Prior to becoming interim pastor, her ministry included bi-weekly and/or monthly sharing the Word of God with residents in nursing homes located in Lagrange, Georgia, Greenville, Georgia, and Warm Springs, Georgia as well as an organized community Bible Class. She developed “We Care Ministry” with a mission to serve and to save the “least and the “lost,” including children and adults. In this ministry, she provided food and funds where needed. She served faithfully in the community where she was chair of fund-raising activities and served as one of the organizers that worked to expand Olive Branch Cemetery. The greatest service that she provided was love. She continuously gave and many times denying herself. When her health became such that she could no longer reside in the St. Mark Community, she moved to Columbus, Georgia with her sister. Eventually, she moved to The Retreat at Maple Ridge in Columbus, Georgia. There at The Retreat, she continued her ministry with tenacity and a boldness that only a true believer with full trust in God could demonstrate. There at The Retreat she lead daily devotion for the residents. Rev Stanley was at her best when she could serve and minister to those around her.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, two brothers, Rev Willie Stanley and Rev. Johnny F. Stanley, two sisters, Louise Stanley and Rev. Frances Butler.

She is survived by two sisters Margaret Stanley and Dr. Doris Holeman both of Columbus, GA, three brothers , Jimmy, Benny, and Lester, all of Columbus, GA, and one uncle, John Russell Swanson, Orlando, FL, and a host of nieces nephews, cousins and other relatives.

Arrangements entrusted to Thrash and Sons Funeral Home. 706-637-8791.