Howard-Ludowici
Joy Ann Sullivan
Screven—Joy Ann Sullivan, 68, died Aug. 13, 2022, at Southeast Georgia Health System in Bruns-wick.
She was a native and lifelong resident of Wayne County and was a retired CNA from Wayne Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed flower gardening and time spent with family, especially her grandchildren. “Joy” was more than her name, it was a way of life, always smiling and happy no matter the circumstances, her family added that her kindness will be missed.
She was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Richmond Sr. and Estelle Manuel Turner; and her siblings, Lorrene Turner and Richmond Turner Jr.
Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Carrol Sullivan; a daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Tommy Westberry; a son, Kenneth Sullivan, and his fiancé Celeste Chavez, all of Screven; sisters, Katherine Flowers, Florene Beaver and Audrey (Ron) Kortie, all of Jesup; grandchildren, Christina Westberry, Zachary Westberry and Bradley Sullivan; a great-grandson, A.J. Westberry; a special sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Aubrey and Pat Mansfield of Odum; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Aug. 17 at Ritch Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Sikes and the Rev. Ryan Sweat officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers were grandsons and nephews.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici was in charge of arrangements.
Rinehart & Sons
Jeanette Yeomans Marr
Jesup—Jeanette Yeomans Marr, 97, of Jesup died on Aug. 11, 2022.
The Wayne County native lived in Florida for 30 years prior to coming home to Wayne County several years ago.
She was predeceased by her husband, Jesse Marr; her son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Carolyn Marr; a granddaughter, Dianne Smith; grandsons, David Marr and Jason Marr; her parents, Kell and Anna Yeomans; two sisters, Janie Lou Harrell and Rosalie Harter; two brothers, Kennic and Barnell Yeomans; and sons-in-law, Greg Loughrie and Raymond Dobbs.
Survivors include three daughters, Vina Ann Dobbs, Lynn Loughrie and Beth (Mike) Smith; three sisters, Mollie Saxon, Nellie (Ronell) Roberson and Paula Miller; one brother, Onnie (Carolyn) Yeomans; sister-in-laws, Claire Yeomans and Tommie Marr Akins; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Aug. 13 at Old Bethel Cemetery with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials made may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA. 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Vance Duncan
Odum—Vance Duncan, 86, of Odum died Aug. 12, 2022.
The Wayne County native and U.S. Army veteran was a member and deacon of Friendship Baptist Church. He owned and operated several service stations and freight pickup and delivery service.
The outdoorsman loved to walk in the country, farm, fish, garden and root for his favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, and football team, Georgia Bulldogs. He also loved to play canasta and spades and became very serious about his game.
His grandson, Jacob, preceded him in death along with his two brothers, Jelon and Donald “Duck” Duncan.
Survivors include his wife of almost 14 years, Nancy Thomas Duncan of Odum; a daughter, Heather Duncan of Jesup; a son, Vance “JR” (Isabel) Duncan of Jacksonville, Florida; two stepdaughters, Terri (Robert) Aitkens of Atlanta and Charlotte (David) Hoover of Crawfordville, Florida; a stepson, Jay (Susan) Thomas of Marietta; a step- daughter-in-law, Cindy Lou Adams Milam; a stepdaughter-in-law, Patsy Thomas of Jesup; grandchildren, Danielle Duncan, Scott (Kari) Hurst, David (Caitlin) Thompson and Sunny Marie Thompson; great-grandchildren, Tristan, Avery, Gage and Bo Duncan; numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth Carrillo; a brother, Gary (Jessie) Duncan; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Aug. 15 at Friendship Baptist Church with the Rev. Kevin Johnson officiating. Interment was in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were his family. Honorary pallbearers were the O’Quinn Loop neighbors and fellow members of Friendship Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Georgia Hospice Care, 777 Gloucester Street, No. 303, Brunswick, GA 31520 or Friendship Baptist Church, 209 Friendship Road, Odum, GA 31555.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Wiley “Aubrey” Westberry
Jesup—Wiley “Aubrey” Westberry, 79, of Jesup died Aug. 14, 2022.
The Wayne County native was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church and was known for his expertise in auto parts with Al’s Auto Supply in Jesup.
The U.S. Army veteran enjoyed spending time with his family and his customers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elzie and Lila Bell Westberry; a daughter, Tayna Melissa Westberry; and a brother, Cleveland Westberry.
Survivors include a son, Wiley (Kristy) Westberry of Jesup; sisters, Gladys Johnson of Jesup and Lillian Bran of Kingsland; a brother, Edward Westberry of Jesup; three granddaughters; three grandsons; and three great-grandsons.
Funeral services were held Aug. 17 at Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Drury officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery with military honors. Active pallbearers were Al Boyette, Michael Durrance, Matthew Culpepper, Marcus Stephens, Dean Johnson and Chantry Johnson.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Bill McDonald
Jesup—Bill McDonald, 89, of Jesup and a former resident of Bruns-wick died Aug. 13, 2022.
The Bruns-wick native had lived in Wayne County the past 14 years and was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Brunswick and started his career at several banks, working up to senior vice president. He also worked in the budgeting and accounting departments of other businesses.
Sports were a favorite pastime while he rooted for the Georgia Bulldogs football and Atlanta Braves baseball teams.
The community of Glynn County was fortunate to have him as treasurer of the American Red Cross, a United Campaign volunteer, a Southeast Georgia Health Systems board member and an Exchange Club past president, his family said.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Mada Hines; his brother, Clarence McDonald; and four stepsons, Ronnie, Brett, Bartt and Bryan.
Survivors included his wife of 45 years, Sherry Wooten McDonald of Jesup; three sons, Bill (Martha) McDonald, Mark (Robin) McDonald and Warren McDonald; five grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a stepbrother, Benny Ray Wooten.
Private memorial services and interment will be handled by the family in the Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jeanette Peebles Morris
Odum—Jeanette Peebles Morris, 85, surrounded by her loving family, died peacefully on Aug. 9, 2022.
She was a native of Soperton (Treutlen County) and moved to Odum to care for her sister’s young son. This is where she met and later married the love of her life, Earl Morris. They settled into married life, raising three adoring children. She was a beloved member of the Odum community, where she was always quick to lend a helping hand to neighbors and friends. She and her husband were Odum’s 2006 Family of the Year. She was a loving and nurturing wife, mother, grandmother and friend with a kind and gentle spirit, her family said.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Ruby Peebles; two brothers, Newburn (Catherine) Peebles and Coolidge (Jo) Peebles; two sisters, Genia (Felton) Batten Sr. and Mary Lou Williford; a father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ellis and Mamie Morris; brothers- in- laws, Eugene, Leon, Linton (Janette) Morris; and a special lifelong friend, Kathleen Brackin.
Survivors include her loving husband of 66 years, Earl Morris; two sons, Steven Earl (June) Morris and Rock (Teresa) Morris; a daughter, JoAnn (Cliff) Woods; grandchildren, Brandon (MaryAnn) Yeomans, Krystal (Kasey) Keith, Kevin (Chelsie) Morris and Erica (Alan) Scott; great-grandchildren, Aiden Yeomans, Taylor Yeomans, Karson Grace Keith, Hunter Scott, Bailey Scott and Carson Scott; a brother, Kennon (Diane) Peebles; sister, Nell (James) Meeks; a sister-in-law, Cherry Morris; a brother-in-law, Bobby Williford; several nieces and nephews; and many close family and friends.
Funeral services were held Aug. 12 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Hayward Bass and the Rev. Varney Aspinwall officiating. Interment was in Odum City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Brandon Yeomans, Kevin Morris, Cliff Woods, Kasey Keith, Jim Westberry and Joe Aspinwall Jr. Honorary pallbearers were all friends and family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Nobles
C. Walon Smith
C. Walon Smith, 68, died Aug. 11, 2022, at Southeast Georgia Health System in Bruns-wick.
He was originally from Bainbridge, living the past 43 years in Long County and Wayne County and was a member of Ludowici First Baptist Church.
He received his associate’s degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, his bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University, and his master’s degree from Georgia Southern University. He worked with the USDA Farm Service Agency, retiring with 33 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Smith; wife, Sara Long Smith; and grandson, Christopher Mitchell.
Survivors include his two daughters, Rebecca (Jondavid) Smart and Rachel (Will) Tyre; six grandchildren, Chase Mitchell, Clay Smart, Abby Smart, Caitlin Smart, Sammy Tyre and Emi Tyre; his mother, Sue C. Smith; two brothers, Stacey Smith and Jeff (Amy) Smith; a special friend, Susan Maxwell; and family.
Funeral services were held Aug. 14 at Jesup First Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike VonMoss, the Rev. Stanley Todd and the Rev. Mark Ledbetter officiating. Erica Wilkins gave the eulogy.
Interment followed in Old Bethel Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Harold Long, Scott Long, Chase Mitchell, Josh Smith, Ray Howard and Jim Westberry.
Honorary pallbearers were Bob and Ruth Harrison, former and present employees of the USDA Farm Service Agency, and all friends and family in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Christopher A. Mitchell Memorial Foundation, 2899 Holmesville Road, Jesup, GA 31545.
Nobles Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
Wayne G. Ates
Jesup—Wayne G. Ates, 81, of Jesup died July 31, 2022, after a brief illness.
He was born to Barnette and Arrie Ates on Nov. 14, 1940 at Fort Benning. He attended Brewton-Parker College and Louisiana College for his undergraduate studies. He obtained a graduate degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and was also awarded an honorary doctoral degree.
He was brilliant, charismatic and always eager to provoke laughter with a joke or two, his family said. He was ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister at 18, and he shared the Gospel as a pastor at numerous churches in Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.
He also taught English at the high school and college levels.
He had a long career as a professional public speaker and was billed as the’Minister of Mirth.‚“
He lived a long and productive life and touched the hearts of many people, his family said, adding that he will be missed.
Survivors include two children, Justin (Leslie) Ates and Janna (Gordon) Gregory; six grandchildren, J.W. Ates, Joey Ates, Ellie Ates, Jack Ates, Nolan Capps and Halley Capps; sisters, Rita (Bill) Keith and Gloria (Dean) Strickland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Nobles Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.