Annis Dominey

Annis Hentz Crosby Dominey, beloved wife of the late John R. Dominey died peacefully at home on January 17, 2026, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Annis was born on February 23, 1930, to the late Lyon Bernard and Thelma Annis Crosby in Brooker, Florida. Annis’ childhood held many fond memories of working beside her siblings on the family farm and attending school. Her Daddy took the family to the country Baptist church where she learned early about Jesus and good gospel music. Her mother also sang hymns and whistled as she worked, which contributed to Annis’ love of gospel music. When her Daddy was offered a job with the family feed/seed store, the family moved to Greensboro, Florida. Annis was thrilled because her Grandmother Janie Johnson lived there and Annis was the first granddaughter. Annis attended Greensboro High School where she played baritone saxophone in the marching band. After graduation in 1947, she went to Atlanta, Ga to attend Grady Memorial Hospital’s nursing program because it was cheaper than attending Florida State University. She enjoyed her nursing training, but it was hard work with long hours. She provided private duty care one evening to an injured woman. She learned later the patient was Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind. While attending nursing school she met her future husband John at a local church activity. John was attending Georgia Tech on the GI Bill. They waited to marry until after Annis’ graduation in 1950. They married on 10/14/50 in Greensboro, Florida. When John graduated from Georgia Tech in 1950, they moved to Baldwin, Florida after John accepted a job with Hercules Powder Company. Daughter, Iris, joined the family in 1951 and the family moved to Folkston, Ga where second daughter, Becky, was born in 1953. In 1955, John was transferred again and the family moved to Sanford, Florida. Annis did occasional private duty nursing jobs, but her family was her priority. While living in Sanford, three sons were added to the family, John (1956); Jack (1960); and Jay (1962). Annis formed many great friendships in Sanford with so many other young couples in the neighborhood. She joined the local canasta club and she and John became charter members of Grace Methodist Church where Annis was a Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir and was active in the WSCS (Women’s Society of Christian Service). In 1963, John received one more transfer to McRae, Georgia where the fourth son, Jimbo, was born.

Once the younger children were in school, Annis returned to her love of nursing and began working at McRae Manor nursing home. She was the Director of Nurses (DON) for many years before helping Buford Cook with consultation work with other nursing homes around the state. She was a charter member of Georgia Association of Nurses in Long Term Care (GANLTC) where she held many regional offices. When daughter Becky became a DON in Hawkinsville, they both enjoyed attending the meetings and conventions together as the only mother/daughter team of GANLTC. Annis was a member of the McRae Chapter of The Order of the Eastern Star where she served in many officer’s roles including Worthy Matron. She served as the secretary until her resignation two years ago. Annis and her late husband were also members of the Middle Georgia EX POW association. She worked with the Telfair County Library board and served as the treasurer and she was a board member of Telfair Housing Authority, which she served faithfully. Her involvement with the Pioneer Historical Society of Telfair County was important to her. She gave many hours of her time keeping the Telfair Museum of History open and always finding more historical items to add until it was moved to its current location in 2022.

Annis instilled in each of her children the love of God, the importance of family and the joy of being involved with friends and the community. The children were raised in a home full of Christianity, love and encouragement. She set a great example by always being an active member of McRae Methodist church where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and held many offices with the WSCS (later Methodist Women) and could usually be found sitting in the second pew on the left. Annis was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a swim team chauffeur and cheerleader. The yard of the home on Poplar Street was always full of bicycles, tricycles, and automobiles; it was a haven for many children and adults. Annis’ famous pot of goulash always seemed to have just enough for everyone. Although there were already six children, some of their friends consider themselves the “other” children. Ben Marion, Frank Thompson and Van Cowart were the first three but there have been many others throughout the years. Annis loved being with her family. She enjoyed gathering in Greensboro for Thanksgiving each year, attending the annual Crosby reunion in Starke and the Dominey’s Cemetery Cleaning every May. She loved for all her children to gather at her home for Christmas and Mother’s Day, and her prayers were for her children to continue being the family she taught them to be, always loving one another.

Annis was recognized as Telfair County Woman of the Year in February 2018 by the Telfair County Chamber of Commerce for her commitment of building the future of Telfair County. She served as the Grand Marshall of the McRae’s Christmas parade and was beautiful riding in the back of Jimbo’s red truck and wearing her granddaughter Rebecca’s fur.

In 2022, Annis made the decision to move to Southern Charm assisted living facility, in McRae. She quickly became well known there for all her kindness and loving ways. She loved every staff member and other residents as if they were her own family. Her life was enriched by all the loving care she received from Jane and her crew. Annis bragged about them every chance she could.

Annis loved music of any kind but particularly the old country gospel music she grew up with. She enjoyed flowers, butterflies and birds, especially hummingbirds. She had bird feeders at home and at the Charm. She loved the challenge of a good jigsaw puzzle; a crossword puzzle and challenging game of Scrabble.

Annis is also preceded in death by her son, Jay Brent Dominey; her brothers, Bill and Wright Crosby and baby sister, Janie Patricia. She is survived by her children: Iris Poteet and husband David of Katy, Texas; Becky Woods and husband Richard of Hawkinsville Ga ; John L. and wife Claire of Warner Robins, Ga; Jack and wife Barbara of Athens, Ga; Sandy (widow of Jay) of Tallahassee, Fl; Jimbo Dominey and wife Glenda of McRae. She is also survived by grandchildren: Caroline Beth Renninger, Bill Rolison (Sunny); Stetson (Felicia); Rebecca Woods; Sara Davis (Kyle); Anna Bloodworth (Josh); Laura Dominey; Meg Dominey; Jayson Dominey (Jennifer); Danielle Gore (Alvis); Jenny Foskey (Branden) and Taylor Dominey; great grandchildren: Ethan and Aidan Weaver; Westin and Reese Folds; Hadley Woods; Macklin and Shepard Davis; Lyon Bloodworth; Kane Rolison; Jayden, Jude, Jeremiah, Jonas, Elianna, Jubal, and John Dominey. Also surviving are her sister, Eudene Rowan; brother, Larry Crosby and wife, Betty; and a host of nieces and nephews who loved her very much.

She is also survived by her other sons: Ben, Frank and Van and by her special friend, Angelo Crowe.

Long known for her positive outlook on life, the family could not have asked for a better Moma in their lives. Annis’ favorite word was Joy and she would expect each of us to remember to keep joy in our lives.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00P.M., Thursday, January 22, at McRae Methodist Church and the funeral service for Mrs. Dominey will be at 11:00A.M., Friday, January 23, at McRae Methodist Church. Burial will be at Stanley Cemetery, Dublin, at 2:30P.M., Friday.

The family asks that attendees wear bright colors!

Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to McRae Methodist Church, 201 W. College St., McRae-Helena, GA 31055, Pioneer Historical Society, 9 E. Oak St., McRae-Helena, GA 31055, Telfair Center for the Arts, 119 W. College St., McRae-Helena, GA 31055, or Telfair County Library, 101 W. College St., McRae-Helena, GA 31055.