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At its recent GOP reorganization meeting, Marlis Fewell was elected Decatur County Republican Chairwoman, replacing outgoing Chairwoman Ann Marie Rose-Emmons as the leader of the county’s political organization. Currently, Fewell works alongside her husband on their family farm in Climax. A resident of Decatur County for 27 years, Fewell and her husband, Daniel have two children, Gavin and Sadie. She was employed with Southwest Georgia Community Action Council, Inc. for 20 years. They are members of the Maranatha Baptist Church. She has previously worked on a congressional candidate’s campaign for Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District. Fewell served as a co-vice chair to the local party, and a delegate. She also serves as a board member for the local CASA organization.

Edwin J. Perry III “Chip” was named the newly elected GOP Co-Vice Chair, alongside Jesse James Willard III. Perry has been a Juvenile Court Judge for 25 years, which partially overlapped being Decatur County Probate Judge for 17 years, and is currently part-time practicing attorney.

He is an Elder at Grace Church in Bainbridge, where he also is the Jr. High Sunday School teacher and small group Bible study leader. In addition, he is a member of the Grace Christian Academy School Board. Perry is married to Linda and has three children and six grandchildren.

In his spare time, Perry is involved in the community’s Bainbridge Rotary Club and Bainbridge Country Club.

Willard moved to Decatur County in September 2019 to work for Danimer Scientific as a Project Manager. He and his wife, Maria, of 30 years, have five children and six grandchildren. They relocated from Perry, Ga., where the couple lived and worked, while raising their children. Willard has worked in industry ranging from aircraft assembly to electronic warfare with Northrop Grumman for over 20 years. He has also been a children’s pastor and a missionary to Guatemala. Currently they reside in Recovery, near Wingate’s Place.

Dan Provence was re-elected to serve as Secretary/Treasurer of the Decatur County Republican Party. Owner and operator of Spring Hill Tree Farm, Provence has been the stalwart of the Decatur County Republican organization for over 20 years, serving as Chairman, 2nd District Vice Chair, and delegate to many State and District Conventions. Provence was appointed to the State Board of the Governor’s Council on Children and Families where he served for ten years. A dedicated advocate for children, Provence has been very actively involved with the local CASA organization as a Board member, Chair, and is currently the Volunteer Coordinator. He also volunteered as the CASA executive director for six years. Provence is a former President, District Lieutenant Governor and current member of the Kiwanis Club and serves on the Board of Elections. Provence and his wife Bonnie are the proud parents of two adult children: Daniel, of LaGrange, and Aubrie, of Atlanta.