News Summary
The Augusta community is mourning the loss of four cherished individuals who made significant impacts in their families and neighborhoods. Jimmy Milton McDaniel, Lana Joyce Rahn, William Breckenridge Brigham, and Beverly Jean Barnhart have all recently passed away. Each left behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service, inspiring those who knew them. Memorial services and tributes are planned to honor their lives and contributions.
Augusta, GA – The community mourns the loss of four beloved figures, each leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and dedication. Jimmy Milton McDaniel, Lana Joyce Rahn, William Breckenridge Brigham, and Beverly Jean Barnhart, who made significant contributions to their families and communities, have recently passed away, prompting a series of memorial services and tributes.
Jimmy Milton McDaniel
Jimmy Milton McDaniel, 74, passed away on September 20, 2025. He was known for his devotion to his family and community, being a loving husband to Tillie McDaniel for 52 years. A native of Augusta, McDaniel retired as a supervisor from DSM Chemical after a 30-year career. His passions included hunting, fishing, and gardening, along with being an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs.
McDaniel was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church and cherished time spent with his family. He is survived by his son Ben McDaniel (Jennifer) and six grandchildren, along with a number of extended family members. He was preceded in death by his daughter Julie Powell and granddaughter Madison McDaniel.
A memorial service is set for Friday, September 26, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, with the family receiving friends an hour before the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Lana Joyce Rahn
Lana Joyce Rahn, 74, passed away on September 19, 2025. She was the cherished wife of Dr. Daniel Wallace Rahn for 53 years. Born on January 16, 1951, in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Rahn graduated from Stroudsburg High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Muhlenberg College and a Master’s from Southern Connecticut State University.
Throughout her career, she worked at Yale University as a Research Associate and as an Educational Consultant. Rahn was involved in her church and community, particularly in Bible Study Fellowship and art initiatives, and she had three children: Jason, Rebecca, and Zachary, along with three grandchildren.
The funeral service is planned for Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Warren Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 26, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, Golden Harvest Food Bank, or the Counseling Ministry of Warren Baptist Church.
William Breckenridge Brigham
William Breckenridge “Breck” Brigham, 89, passed on September 17, 2025. Brigham was born in Augusta on April 25, 1936, and graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He served in the United States Army and had a distinguished career at Citizens & Southern Bank, retiring as Senior Vice President.
In 1966, he married Patricia “Trisha” Weathers, and together they had three sons. After Trisha’s passing in 2021, he married Judy Hooks in 2022. Brigham was active in his church, serving in multiple capacities, and enjoyed traveling and playing tennis.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, with family receiving friends from 2:00 to 3:00 P.M. before the service. Memorial contributions can be made to Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Beverly Jean Barnhart
Beverly Jean Barnhart, 90, passed away on September 15, 2025. She was the founding principal of the John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, where she served for over 25 years. Barnhart played a significant role in obtaining federal funding for magnet schools in Augusta and was honored with the Jimmie Dyess Distinguished American Award in 2017.
In addition to her role in education, Barnhart excelled in painting and enjoyed reading. She is survived by her daughters Liz, Carrie, and Dottie, along with her granddaughter Taylor Burkhart.
A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at the Beverly J Barnhart Theater, with the family receiving friends afterward. Contributions can be made to Davidson Fine Arts.
The loss of these four individuals has left a void in the Augusta community, reflecting their rich contributions to family and society. Their legacies will continue to inspire those who knew and loved them.
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Additional Resources
- Augusta Chronicle Obituary
- Wikipedia: Obituary
- Thomas Poteet: William Brigham
- Google Search: Obituaries
- Legacy: Christopher Roberts
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
