James W. Cleveland

James W. Cleveland, age 94, passed away Monday, August 17, 2026, at Appling Nursing & Rehab Pavilion under the care of Comfort Care Hospice.

Mr. Cleveland was born May 20, 1932, in Woodbury, Georgia to the late Bob Cleveland and the late Nora Belle Irving Willis. He was retired from Hazlehurst Mills and a member of Lighthouse Christian Fellowship. He was simple man who truly understood the beauty of life’s simple pleasures. If he wasn’t out on the water outsmarting the fish, he could be found at the local Burger King having breakfast. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Cleveland.

Survivors include his daughter, Regina Miller; sons, Wesley (Sabrina) Cleveland and Jim (Karen) Purvis all of Hazlehurst; sisters, Sally Waller and Frances Hawkins, both of Thomaston; brothers, Bobby Cleveland of Mount Holly, NC and Robert Cleveland of Griffin; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; special nurse, Wendy Moore; special CNA, Nathalie Moore (DAT Gurl) and special friend, Tim Peacock also survives.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 3:00 pm at Swain Funeral Home Hazlehurst Chapel with Rev. Keith Yawn and Rev. Tyrone Huthinson officiating. Interment will follow at the Eureka Baptist Church Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Mason Cleveland, Michael Duckett, Kevin Sellers, Kendall Sellers, Benny Kersey, and Brent Brown.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home Hazlehurst Chapel.