RICEBORO — The mayor of a small coastal Georgia town has died from complications due to COVID-19.

Riceboro Mayor Joe Harris died Tuesday, Pearlie Axson, the town's mayor pro tem, told local news outlets.

Harris died at Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville after being hospitalized last week, Axson said.

The 35-year-old Harris had been mayor of Riceboro, a town of about 800 people south of Savannah, since 2020. He was an elementary school teacher in Hinesville.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Tuesday.

Axson said the City Council will meet to decide if a special election is needed.

Keep Reading

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) and Dyson Daniels, right, celebrate comeback win against Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. Atlanta won 124-122. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Credit: AP

Featured

FILE - President Donald Trump arrives and walks by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to address a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Credit: AP