Lynn Cawley McDearis

Augusta, GA- Lynn Cawley McDearis received her angel wings at Doctors Hospital on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Her life can be defined in five words: faith, family, friends, food, and flowers. A Christian who loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir at Piney Grove Baptist Church in McBean for many years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and will be remembered for her endless service to all the people in her life. An excellent cook, she took joy in preparing food for family and friends, particularly during the holidays and other special occasions. She loved the beauty of flowers and spent her downtime working in her garden. Her love and compassion for people was recognized by all who knew her as evidenced by one of her many, many friends who described her as “one of the sweetest and kindest people I know”.

Born Judith Lynn Cawley at University Hospital in Augusta on September 18, 1951 to James William “Billy” Cawley, Sr. and Fay Russell Cawley, she was preceded in death by her father. Lynn worked for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities as an Administrative Assistant at Ogeechee Mental Retardation Services and East Central Regional Hospital (ECHR) Augusta and Gracewood, Georgia and retired with 34 years of service in 2008.

Left to celebrate her life and mourn her passing are her husband of 28 years Ron McDearis, sons Terry Syms, Jr., and Chad (Tara) Syms, mother Fay Cawley, brother James W. “Bill” Cawley, Jr., sisters Jill (Wayne) Syms and Laura (Charlie) Waters, grandchildren Chloe, Connor, and Claire Syms, niece Allison Cawley, nephews Hank (Falin) Syms, Will Syms, and James W. Cawley III, and numerous other family members, a countless number of friends, her faithful dog Millie and her finicky one-eyed cat Charcoal.

The funeral service will be Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Rev. Mike Dann officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 P.M., at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com

Burial will be at Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Piney Grove Baptist Church or to a charity of your choice.

The family sends their sincere appreciation to the staff of Doctors Hospital ICU and 2 South and the nurses at MSA Hospice for the care and comfort they provided during Lynn’s final days.