James Carlton “Jimmy” Flanders, 90

James Carlton “Jimmy” Flanders, age 90, passed away at his home on Thursday, August 27, 2026, surrounded by his family. Visitation was held Monday, August 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home in Swainsboro. Funeral service wase held Tuesday, September 1, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Chapman Funeral Home. Interment followed in Swainsboro City Cemetery with Masonic rites.

Active pallbearers were Tommy Perry Flanders, Jim Clifton, Larry Allen, Jack Williams, Sam Williams, Brandon Bouchillon and Ryan Phipps. Honorary pallbearers were Brad Williams, Mickey Flanders, Jeremy Hulen, Calvin Bell, Casey Yarbrough, Johnny Tuten, Kendall Gross, Cody Clifton, the Swainsboro Masonic Lodge, current and former Georgia Power employees and current and former employees of the Swainsboro Fire Department.

Jimmy was born July 5, 1936, to the late Jesse Miller Flanders and Mossevie Sikes Flanders. Weighing a whopping 3 pounds, 4 ounces, his dad said he was the ugliest baby he had ever seen. They placed him in a coffee can for the first few months of his life and sat the can by the fire to keep him warm.

As a very young boy, maybe four to five years old, Jimmy sold the Savannah newspaper and was the shoeshine boy for the WWII sailors that were in the port of Savannah. His brothers, Paul and Perry, made sure he got set up at his station in Wright Square and helped him with his money because he was too young to know how to make change. As a teenager, Jimmy was a professional featherweight boxer and weighed in at 135 pounds. He fought many boxing matches under the name of Sweet Pea. The first time he got knocked out, he decided boxing wasn’t for him. He was drafted by the Pittsburg Pirates to play short stop in the minor leagues but soon found out they didn’t pay enough.

At the ripe old age of 19, Jimmy moved to Swainsboro and met the love of his life, Thomasene Lawson Flanders. They eloped after dating for only a few months and were married in Allendale, SC, just 20 days after Thomasene turned 16 years old. They were happily married for almost 70 years, and they said it would never last.

After returning to Swainsboro, Jimmy was employed by the Georgia Power Company and retired with over 30 years of service. During that time, he was a volunteer firefighter and retired with 33 years of service. Jimmy was also an open water search and rescue diver. He served as Secretary and was Past Master of the Swainsboro Masonic Lodge. He was also a proud member of the Alee Shrine Club. Mr. Flanders is predeceased by his parents; brothers, Perry Flanders and Paul Flanders; brother-in-law, Tommy Lawson; and mother and father-in-law, Thomas and Juanita Lawson.

Mr. Flanders is survived by his wife, Thomasene Lawson Flanders of Swainsboro; three daughters and two sons-in-law, T’Lene Allen (Larry) of Hawkinsville, Sherri Flanders Clifton (Jim) of Eatonton and Emmie S. Flanders of Swainsboro; one son and daughter-in-law, Tommy Perry Flanders (Julie) of Claxton; 15 grandchildren, T’Neil Williams, Ryan Phipps, Brandon Bouchillon, Casey Yarbrough, Carly Tucker, Cody Clifton, Makenzie Clifton, Kaleb Allen, Bethany Allen, Lydia Jones, David Allen, John Mark Allen, Micah Allen, Marianna Noel and Joseph Allen; 24 great-grandchildren; and was anticipating the birth of his first great-great grandchild; three nieces; and one nephew.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Masonic Children’s Home, 811 Mulberry St. Macon, GA 31201 or to your local animal shelter.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ogeechee Area Hospice for all the care and concern they showed our daddy and our family during his illness.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.