Evangelist James Benjamin Baumgardt

Evangelist James Benjamin Baumgardt, age 55, of Surrency passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at his residence under the care of Southern Care Hospice.

Benny was born March 22, 1971 in Jesup, Georgia. He was a member of Big Oaks Church of God and participated in Special Touch Ministries. He loved the Lord with all his heart and was a preacher and singing evangelist. Benny was preceded in death by his grandparents, J. B. & Laverne Smith and Forest & Hattie Baumgardt and great grandparents, J.W. & Nellie Mae Stanfield.

Survivors include his parents, Jesse William & Sandra Laverne Baumgardt of Surrency; sisters, Lynn (Toby) Davidson of Surrency and Rhonda Baumgardt of Baxley; brother, Jeff (Mae) Baumgardt of Surrency; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at Big Oaks Church of God with Pastor Mark Grimes, Elder Tommy Kelly and Rev. Gilbert Wommack officiating. Interment will follow in the Baumgardt Cemetery.

Active Pallbearers will be Lee Mincey, Rodney Blackmon, Johnny Pope, Scott Blake, Zack Collins and Zack Williams.

Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Swain Funeral Home.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.