Patricia Williams Graham
Jesup—Patricia Williams Graham, 68, died Oct. 21, 2021, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on May 4, 1953, in Jesup. She was educated in the Wayne County school system and graduated from Wayne County High School in 1971. She lived for a short while in Baldwin, Florida, before moving to Savannah, where she spent the next 35 years.
She worked in real estate for most of her career, selling homes for a while and later working for the Savannah Board of Realtors and several different law offices by helping with the legal matters associated with real estate closings.
She was a longtime member of Burkhalter Baptist Church and had been the church secretary at Whitemarsh Island Baptist Church, both in Savannah. In her spare time, she loved painting and was an avid reader.
She was preceded in death by her father, James Wynn; and her mother and stepfather, Earline and Royal Williams.
Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Steve Graham of Jesup; a daughter, Kati Graham of Rincon; a son, David (Agnes) Graham of Savannah; one magnificent granddaughter, Giovanna Graham of Savannah; brothers and sisters, Robbie Williams of Lakeland, Florida, Cindy (Ronnie) Sutton of Midway, Royce Williams of Memphis, Tennessee, Timothy (Deborah) Wynn of Avon Park, Florida, Kimberly (William) Kelly of Avon Park, Florida, and Kathryn (Vinay) Jotwani of Eustis, Florida; stepmother, Lillie Mae Wynn of Avon Park, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held Oct. 23 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Dr. Charlie Cooper officiating.
Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Robbie Williams, Richard Miller, Dennis Dunham, Ronnie Sutton, Josh Drawdy and John Ponville.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, 428 Bull Street, Unit 205, Savannah, GA 31401 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Michael Angelo Ruedas
Jesup—Michael Angelo Ruedas, 57, died Oct. 17, 2021, at Geisinger Medical Center in Wilkes Barr, Pennsylvania.
A resident of Jesup for the past 21 years and former resident of Phoenix, Arizona, he was born on April 11, 1964, in Hawaii to the late Ernesto Jurado Ruedas and Juanita Daley Ruedas.
He was a truck driver on the road for over 32 years and had driven a truck in all of the lower 48 states. He worked for U.S. Express, formerly Arnold Transportation, for the past 10 years and had driven for Hendrix Hauling in Jesup prior to that. He devoted his life to his trucking career, and he loved the open road.
However, his favorite times were spent with the ones he loved the most—his family.
In addition to his parents, his sister, Christine Ruedas, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Gail Lane Ruedas of Jesup; son, Julian (Amanda) Ruedas of Phoenix, Arizona; stepchildren, Chad (Amber) Lane of Jesup and Haley Lane Yawn and David Yawn of Lakeland; brothers, Matthew Ruedas of Las Vegas, Nevada, and James Ruedas of Florida; grandchildren, Simon, Sela, Shawn, Raegan, Zachary, Noel and Myla; and numerous extended family members.
Graveside funeral services were held Oct. 23 in Old Bethel Cemetery with the Rev. Calvin Anderson officiating.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Kristin Collier Phillips
Jesup—Kristin Collier Phillips, 73, of Jesup died Oct. 20, 2021, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was a 1966 graduate of Jesup High School and received her bachelor’s degree from Armstrong College in 1995.
She was a retired employee with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
She was predeceased by her parents, Woodrow and Ruth Collier, and sister, Judy Collier Worsham Rogers.
Survivors include two daughters, Kelly Phillips Meiller of Jacksonville, Florida and Katey Phillips (fiancé, Daryl Kornegay) of Jesup; brother, David (Jan) Collier of Jesup; grandchildren, Olivia, Emma and Isabelle Meiller and Nick, Nathan and Nash Beasley, Reagan and Riley Kornegay; and a special caregiver and niece, Jackie Worsham.
Graveside funeral services were held Oct. 22 at the Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Fred Anderson officiating.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia Building Fund,1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
George “Truett” Thompson
Jasper—George “Truett” Thompson of Jasper, 69, died Oct. 20, 2021, after a two-year battle with strokes and Parkinson’s disease.
He was born July 20, 1952, and was named after his father and his father’s World War II Army buddy, Truett Blackwell. Known for his Super Bee, No. 68 loved playing football for the Yellow Jackets, even surviving Parker’s Paradise, the most colorful if not the most comfortable football camp in the Altamaha Swamp. He graduated from Wayne County High School in 1971.
He spent his work and hobby life as a carpenter and home builder, a passion he learned from an early age from his father, with his breeches nailed to the roofs of the houses his father was building.
He loved hunting and fishing on the Altamaha River basin and cheered on his University of Georgia Dawgs every fall without fail. He was a devoted father attending dance recitals, baton contests, soccer games and many football games, cheering louder for his majorettes at halftime than the team during the game.
After growing up in the Anderson Drive Baptist Church, he later found a church family at Unity Church of God. His retirement years were spent in the North Georgia mountains, spoiling his grandchildren and helping his girls.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George “Buck” and Eunice Thompson and sister, Mona Thompson.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Vickie Bacon Thompson; his daughters, Jereme and Richard Breedlove, with grandchildren, Ansley, Hadley, and Brooks, of Watkinsville and Allison and Brian Neal, with grandchildren, Ryley and Coleton, of Jasper; his sisters, Betty (James) Moxley and Lisa (Dale) Lanham, all of Jesup; and his sisters-in-law, Molly (Greg) Whetzel of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Livia (Michael) McMahon of Savannah. His numerous nieces and nephews will miss his unguarded humor at family gatherings. His beloved Bassador, Beau, is lost without him.
A great part of his life was enjoying time with hunting and fishing buddies, Danny and Denise Griffis, Bill and Sandy Thurmon, and Bill and Nell Tyre, and growing up as a part of the Anderson Drive gang. His last year was made much richer by special friends and devoted caregiver Dana Strickland Dunsmore.
Celebration of life services were held Oct. 25 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor George Moxley officiating. A private interment will be held by his family.
Memorials are requested to George Moxley Ministries, 2416 Georgia Highway 203, Jesup, GA 31545 912 256-1362.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rhonda M. Trull
Odum—Rhonda M. Trull of Odum went to her heavenly home on Oct. 23, 2021, surrounded by her family.
She was well known in the area for her musical talents, teaching and love of music. She was a 1976 graduate of Wayne County High School and a very patriotic veteran of the United States Army. She loved her country and her hometown.
She had an insatiable love for music. She began her music career by studying music at Brewton-Parker College. Through the years, she developed and refined her skills with various musical courses, culminating in master’s of music certificates in music theory and also in general music studies from Berklee College of Music. She was a songwriter, musician and music teacher. Her love of music was contagious, and she shared it with so many. As the minister of music at the Jesup First United Methodist Church, she planned choir and worship music to complement each service and delivered it with precision and pride. She had a unique playing style that complemented countless vocalists through the years, and she was honored to play with many local musical groups.
She was an accomplished studio musician and often played many, if not all, the musical instruments heard on a soundtrack. Yet through all these great accomplishments, her first love was teaching music. Although she never had children of her own, she had literally hundreds of students that became “her children,” and she loved to brag on them and watch them grow musically through the years.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Bobby and Dorcas Trull, and her nephew, Michael Trull.
Survivors include a sister, Robbin (Mike) Manners of Odum; a brother, Rick (Carolyn) Trull of Odum; a nephew, Jason (Jessica) Trull of Kinston, North Carolina; nieces, Becky Manners and Desiree (Joe) Kersey of Odum; a nephew, Bryan Manners of Odum; grandnieces and grandnephews, Molly, Dylan and Carson Trull and Kylea and Kenzlea Kersey; and a host of cousins, friends and “musical children.”
Funeral services were held Oct. 27 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ryan Odgen, the Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton and the Rev. Sean Faircloth officiating. Private burial followed in Odum City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Chris Warnock, Bryan Manners, Elijah Hall, Will Bagley, Joe Kersey, Jason Trull. Honorary pallbearers were her former music students and fellow musicians.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the music department of Jesup First United Methodist Church, 205 East Cherry Street, Jesup, GA, 31546.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Aubrey “Bully” Joe Teston
Jesup—Aubrey “Bully” Joe Teston, 86, of Jesup died Oct. 22, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a Baptist and a retiree with ITT Rayonier. The U.S. Army veteran enjoyed watching the Atlanta Falcons and NASCAR.
He was predeceased by his wife, Gwen Bennett Teston.
Survivors include his daughter, Sandra (Bennie) Sutton of Jesup; two sons, Randy (Stephanie) Teston of Odum and Ronnie Teston of Jesup; a brother, Billy (Betty) Teston of Jesup; six grandchildren, Krystal (Cody) Madray, Ryne Sutton, Sally (Brian) McGregor, Clay Teston, Justin Teston and Emily Teston; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Private graveside services were held in the Gardi Cemetery on Oct. 25 with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Margaret Altman
Brunswick—Margaret Altman, 81, died Oct. 19, 2021, in the care of Hospice of the Golden Isles.
She was born Margaret Sue Jones in Rome to Herbert and Montye Jones. She was a lifelong learner. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a pharmacy degree and worked for numerous drug stores before opening her own pharmacy, Memorial Apothecary, in Jesup.
After selling her business, she returned to school at Georgia Southern College to earn a master’s degree in education. She taught chemistry in the public high schools of Wayne and Glynn counties. In 1999 she was selected as the STAR Teacher for Glynn County schools. She retired from teaching and did work for local pharmacists in the area.
In addition to her educational pursuits, she and her husband, Stanley, enjoyed duplicate bridge and were high-level life masters. They traveled the world playing in bridge tournaments. True to her character, she made time to teach bridge and was known throughout the Golden Isles for her patience and her love of the game.
She loved life, and it loved her back. She was a generous giver, always willing to give of her time, her treasure and her talent. Most of all she gave her heart. She loved people, and they loved her. She had a knack for befriending anyone and making everyone feel loved, supported and appreciated—perhaps the most impactful legacy any person can leave.
Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Stanley Altman; a son, John David (Lisa) Tyre; a daughter, Stacy (Skip) Jennings; grandchildren, Margaret Nolan (Will) Balkcom, Alexandra Jennings and her fiancé Zack Landon, and Rachel Tyre; her sister, Ellen Jones; a nephew, Michael (Kristen) Turoczy; and two beloved cats, O.C. and Jezebel, whom she considered adopted children.
She leaves a million happy memories of her life and times with friends throughout the Golden Isles.
The family would like to thank Jane Beadles, who faithfully attended her in her final weeks, and Christy Crews, who has provided care for the couple.
Services were held at Christ Church Frederica on Oct. 23. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made in her name to Christ Church Frederica or the Golden Isles Duplicate Bridge Club.
Friends and family may sign the register book and leave condolences for the family at www.edomillerandsons
.com.
Edo Miller and Sons was in charge of the arrangements.