Pastor Anthony Mark Cardwell, 62, of Waycross, passed away early Wednesday morning, April 1, 2026, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross, following an extended illness.
Born September 28, 1963, in Wetumpka, Alabama, he was a son of the Harold Triplet Cardwell Sr. and Betty Joyce Gantt Hilyer. He graduated from Paxton High School in Jacksonville, FL, and went to a technical college to obtain his certification as a diesel mechanic.
He moved to the South Georgia area in the late 1980s and was an owner and operator of A&M Tire Service in Blackshear and then as a mechanic for True Value. He then went to work for the Cannington Agency selling life insurance for Liberty National but was currently a sales representative for NAPA Auto Parts in Waycross.
He served as a Baptist pastor for over 20 years pastoring Victory Baptist Church in Blackshear, Hebardville Baptist Church in Waycross and was the current pastor of Astoria Baptist Church in Waycross.
He was preceded in death by his step-father, Coley Hilyer and a brother, Bob Hilyer.
Survivors include his wife, Anne Marchman Cardwell, Waycross; five children, Joshua Bryant (wife Haley), Blackshear, Chris Cardwell (wife Sarah), Jacksonville, FL, Josh Cardwell (wife Holly), Deltona, FL, Lisa Drury (husband Troy) of Maine and Becci Pippin (husband Butch), Claxton, GA; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his mother, Betty Joyce Hilyer, Sylacauga, AL; father, Harold Cardwell (wife Ann), Blackshear; six siblings, Marty Cardwell (wife Peggy), Blackshear, Mike Cardwel, Rockford, AL, Matt Cardwell (wife Sherry, Crossville, TN, Tanya Arnold, Blackshear, Tripper Cardwell (wife Brandy), Waycross and Alisha Gravette (husband Jason), Sylacauga, AL and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 3, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, from the Astoria Baptist Church.
Entombment will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery Mausoleum in Ware County.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Astoria Baptist Church, 1501 Astoria Road, Waycross, GA 31503.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
