Charles Ricky Nessmith

Charles Ricky Nessmith, age 77, died peacefully Monday, May 5th, 2025. Ricky was born in Fulton County, Georgia, but lived in Bulloch County most of his life.
He graduated from Portal High School in 1965. He attended Georgia Southern College and Brenau College.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1972 and served in the Georgia Army National Guard for 35 years, where he received numerous awards and medals, retiring as colonel in September 2002. On October 6, 2002, he was granted the honorary promotion to grade of brigadier general (retired) in the Organized Militia of the State of Georgia.
He began his banking career at Sea Island Bank in 1978 as branch manager and commercial and agricultural lending officer. In 1989, he became an executive vice president at First Bulloch Bank. In 1995, he became executive vice president at Farmers & Merchants Bank and in 2002 was named president, where he remained until retirement.
He served in numerous leadership positions in his community, including chairman of Bulloch County Zoning Commission, president and past fair chairman, chairman of the Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Foundation Executive Board of Ogeechee Technical College and chairman of the Averitt Center for the Arts. He was a member of the board of directors of the State of Georgia Chamber of Commerce, member of the board of directors for the Middle Coastal Unified Development Authority, member of Statesboro Rotary Club, served on the Georgia Southern Foundation Board and was active with Georgia Bankers and Community Bankers Association. He was a recipient of the Deen Day Smith Award and also a 48th Brigade Hall of Fame recipient.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Statesboro.
Ricky and Kay had a special place in their heart for Georgia Southern, where they met 57 years ago. They have enjoyed traveling to games watching the Eagles play since the beginning of the football program.
Ricky was devoted to his wife and family. He found great joy in being with his grandchildren, who a?ectionately called him "Poppy".
He had a servant's heart and loved serving both his community and country.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Nessmith; and his mother, Blanche Akins Nessmith.
Ricky is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kay Cooper Nessmith; and daughter, Kelly Nessmith Chappell, and son-in-law, Dr. Scott Chappell, of Augusta, Ga.; two grandchildren, Mary Brinn Chappell and Vaughan Chappell of Augusta, Ga.; a brother-in-law, Ray Cooper of Augusta, Ga.; a niece and a nephew.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Don Loebl and Dr. Anthony Ramage and the entire sta? of the CCU at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Ga.
Visitation will be held Sunday, May 11, 2025, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro.
The funeral service will be Monday, May 12, 2025, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home with Maj. Gen. U.S. Army (retired) Reginald Neal officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be past employees of Farmers & Merchants Bank and current employees of Morris Bank and members of The Georgia Army National Guard.
Interment will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Westover Memorial Park, 2601 Wheeler Road, Augusta, GA with the Rev. Roy McVeigh officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation at https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/62346/donations/new.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, May 9, 2025
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