Dr. Jay Brinson
Jesup—Dr. Jay Brinson, 51, of Jesup died Oct. 5, 2021.
He was predeceased by his father, James Polk Brinson Jr., and a brother, Jeremy Brinson.
Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Kim Brinson of Jesup; a daughter, Mallory (Jake) Phillips of Odum; a son, J.T. Brinson of Jesup; his mother, Marie (Dewayne) Baker of Jesup; a brother, Jason (Acela) Brinson of Jesup; a nephew, Jacob Brinson; nieces, Shelby and Lottie Brinson; and a host of close family, friends and colleagues.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m. at Unity Church of God with Pastor Mark Ledbetter, Craig Davis and Bob Morgan officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Bethel Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Craig Davis, Ken Perkins, Steve Ammons, Kevin Keith, Randy Harvey, Paul Brannen, Jimbo Boykin, Bobby Lamb, Joe Ierardi and Bob Morgan. Honorary pallbearers will be the current and former colleagues of the Wayne County school system, former players, fellow coaches, and the First District RESA superintendents.
Visitation will be two hours prior to services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Coach Jay Brinson Scholarship Fund, c/o PrimeSouth Bank, 375 W. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Rudell Manning Cooley
Jesup—Rudell Manning Cooley, 73, of Jesup died Oct. 3, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of Manningtown Church of God and a homemaker. She enjoyed crocheting, shopping and being with her loving family.
She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth Ray Cooley.
Survivors include two daughters, Alea (Donald) Hardwick Hodge and Betty (Mark) Manning both of Jesup; a son, Lonnie (Debbie) Lorenz of Jesup; six grandchildren, Randy, Kelly, Alesiha, Tyler, Brandon and Seth; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Oct. 6 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Manning and the Rev. Tim Fulmer officiating. Private graveside service were held in the Manningtown Cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Richard “Ricky” Douglas Crowe
Baxley—Richard “Ricky” Douglas Crowe, 57, of Baxley died Oct. 1, 2021.
The Wayne County native and former resident was a previous employee with Walmart and Down to Earth Trailers in Baxley. His favorite pastimes were watching NASCAR, fishing at the river and beach, and enjoying time with friends.
The lover of life had a very outgoing personality. He “never met a stranger” and adored his family.
His parents, Cliff and Sarah Ann Norris Crowe, preceded him in death, along with his maternal grandparents, Eber and Janie Norris.
Survivors include his three sisters, Dianne (Ronnie) Byrd of Cumming, Judy (Charley) Crawford of Townville, South Carolina, and Gail (Dale) Blalock of Columbus; several nieces and nephews; a special companion, Dee Kearsing; and very special friends, Mack (Leslie) Newsome and Karen (David) Jackson.
Graveside funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 8, at 11 a.m. in the Jesup City Cemetery with the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Thetus Patterson Deal
Patterson—Thetus Patterson Deal, 96, of Patterson died Oct. 2, 2021.
The Appling County native was a member of Lake Chapel Primitive Baptist Church and a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leary C. Deal; her daughter, Carla Ann Deal; and a grandson, Brad Deal.
Survivors include two daughters, Gena (Mitch) Kirkendohl of Augusta and Wynelle (Jerome) Moody of Marietta; three sons, Donald (Marilyn) Deal of Waycross, Freddy (Alexis) Deal of Augusta and Gary (Suzanne) Deal of Bristol; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held Oct. 5 in the Lake Chapel Cemetery with Elder Jason Deal officiating. Active pallbearers were her family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sabrina Jones Manning
Jesup—Sabrina Jones Manning, 65, of Jesup died Sept. 27, 2021.
The Florida native had spent much of her adult life in Wayne County and was a member of the Manningtown Presbyterian church. Her caring span of serving as a tax preparer for 12 years and working for eight years for Florida Department of Transportation and eight years with Amelia Island Plantation allowed her to be helpful to many friends and family in their business endeavors.
She was predeceased by her husband, Willie H. Manning Jr., and her parents, Roland and Ruthie Crews Jones.
Survivors include three daughters, Lisa Manning, Malissie Teringer and Kayleigh Dinsbeer, all of Jesup; three sons, Adam (Bobie) Sapp of Hortense and Henry Sapp and Blake Dinsbeer, both of Jesup; three sisters, Sherry (Bobby) Willis of Yulee, Florida, Selena Wilburn of Waynesville, and a half- sister, Laurie McDonald of St. Marys; three brothers, Don (Monica) Manning, John (Becky) Manning and Ray Jones, all of Jesup; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Sept. 30 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with her brother, the Rev. Don Manning, officiating. Graveside services followed in the Manningtown Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Judy Scott Ogden
Odum—Judy Scott Ogden, 67, of Odum died Oct. 1, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of Piney Grove Church of God and a homemaker. Her favorite pastime was being a grandmother and going on cruises.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James “Scotty” Garfield and Madaline Manning Scott Pearce; her son-in-law, Robert Thornton; a daughter-in-law, Tammy Stevens; a sister, Mary Bennett; two brothers, Henry and Mitchell Scott; and a great-grandson, Lake Stevens.
Survivors include her husband of 36 years, Ted Ogden of Odum; a daughter, Belinda Thornton of Jesup; four sons, Willie (Mary Jo) Stevens, Robert Greene, Jamie (Lindy) Greene and Ricky (April) Greene, all of Odum; three brothers, Kenny (Lucretia) Scott, Rene (Mary) Ponville and John (Lawanda) Ponville; several grandchildren, Crystal (John) Thornton, Julie (Jason) Henderson, Leah (Robert) Bryant, Aaron (Heather) Stevens, Dustin Stevens, Madilyne Greene, Madison (James) Riendeau, and Maislee, Maivree, Carmon, Dalton, Jesse (Ally), Levi and Makayla Greene; sisters, Mary (Jeffrey) Bennett, Priscilla Robillard, Marlena (Donald) Griffis and Lola Flowers; a sister-in-law, Lounell Scott; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Oct. 3 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Richard Dobson officiating. Interment was in the Moody-Tillman Cemetery on Fred Carter Road, Odum. Active pallbearers were her family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Gary Smith
Screven—Gary Smith, 64, of Screven died Oct. 3, 2021.
He had lived all of his life in Wayne County and was a member of Screven First Baptist Church and the Men’s Sunday School Class.
The Rayonier retiree had six main loves—faith, family, farming, friends, “fur babies” and Fords. In his earlier years, he enjoyed tinkering with cars, especially Mustangs, and drag racing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon “Buck” and Odean A. Smith, and a nephew, Vernon Arnold.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Lynn Smith of Screven; a daughter, Rebekah (Michael) Kicklighter of Screven; a son, Derek (Dana) Smith of Screven; five grandchildren, Taylor Kicklighter, Nathan “Peanut” Rowland, Noah Kicklighter, Deren Smith and Deanna “Doodles” Smith; a half-sister, Bobbie Arnold of Surrency; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Oct. 6 at Screven First Baptist Church with Brother Durwood Miller officiating. Interment followed in the Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Buddy Roberson, Lewis Smith, Thomas Huey, Jasper Beaver and Jim Galvin. Honorary pallbearers were his circle of farm friends, his Sunday school class members, Shag and Raquel Wright, Jerry Smith, Johnny Ben Aspinwall, James Wilcox, Harrell Pittman, Bobbie Jean Aspinwall, Dewayne Anderson, David Horne and Tommy Carter.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jasper Leroy Wilson III
Screven—Jasper Leroy Wilson III, 77, of Screven died Sept. 30, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a Baptist and a farmer with Fred Mullis and Joe B. Harris farms. He loved to watch NASCAR, especially drivers Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nell Wilson; his son, Lee Wilson; and his parents, Roy and Jessie Wilson.
Survivors include a daughter, Angie (Gene) Palmer of Jesup; a son, Gary (Joy) Wilson of Jesup; a daughter-in-law, Toni Wilson; several stepchildren, Clifford (Gail) Patterson, Elta Owens and Deb Flowers Lee; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert (Brenda) Wilson; and several nieces.
Memorial services were held Oct. 5 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of arrangements.
Richard Edwin Schortemeier
Jesup—Richard Edwin Schortemeier, 80, died Oct. 1, 2021, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
A resident of Jesup for the past 14 years, he was born on Jan. 25, 1941, to the late Donald and Mary Reynolds Schortemeier. He relocated to South Florida with his family when he was a child, and he was a graduate of South Broward High School in Hollywood, Florida. He enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served proudly at duty stations in Germany and Oklahoma.
After returning home from the service, he began a career of over 42 years with Winn-Dixie, where he worked his way up to the position of grocery superintendent, managing the operations of the warehouse in Pompano Beach, Florida. He was known to run a “tight ship,” and his dedication to getting the job done right was second to none.
He was a former member of the Masonic Lodge, and he enjoyed fishing and traveling in his spare time.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Theresa Guirate Schortemeier, and his stepson, John Birbeck.
Survivors include his daughter, Tracy Schortemeier of Jesup; stepchildren, Rose (Harold) Stogner of Jacksonville, Florida, Chuck Birbeck of Darien, Terry Lee (Pete) Baraw of Spring Hill, Florida, and Scott (Caty) Birbeck of Old Towne, Florida; a son, Donald Schortemeier of Elk City, Oklahoma; a sister, Carolyn Swavely of Anderson, South Carolina; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended-family members.
Graveside funeral services were held Oct. 4 in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with military honors rendered by the United States Air Force.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Charlene Dillinger
Jesup—Charlene Dillinger, 46, died Oct. 4, 2021, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah.
A longtime resident of Wayne County, she was born on Jan. 29, 1975, in Blackshear. She was a graduate of Wayne County High School and worked her entire career in medical billing, mostly at Wayne Memorial Hospital and more recently for Dr. Jeffrey Harris at Wayne Obstetrics and Gynecology.
A beloved wife, mother, “Gigi,” sister and daughter, she enjoyed making memories with her family more than anything else. She loved all kinds of outdoor activities including jet skiing, golf cart riding and camping. She was a devoted Florida State University football fan, and she enjoyed tending to her flowers and feeding hummingbirds.
She was a member of Liberty Lighthouse Church and was one of the most faithful, kind-hearted and truly genuine people to ever live, her family said. She loved other people and was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Iris Batten; her father-in-law, Jack Dillinger; and her father, Darrell Lee.
Survivors include her husband of 30 years, Donald Dillinger of Jesup; three children, Christian (Daniel) Graham of Pensacola, Florida, Don (Krista) Dillinger of Jesup and Geromy (Megan) Dillinger of Norfolk, Virginia; her grandfather, Waldo Batten of Blackshear; mothers, Vivian Lee of Blackshear and Brenda Stevenson Eason of Phenix City, Alabama; grandchildren, Kaleb and Emersyn; a goddaughter, Kamiya Jackson; one grandchild on the way; a brother, Stanley (Stacy) Lee of Blackshear; a sister, Christina (Doug) Odle of Virginia; brothers-in-law, Fred (Pepper) Ridenour of Palatka, Florida and John (Tommie Sue) Eason of Odum; sisters-in-law, Brenda Eason of Jesup and Cynde (Ranny) Carpenter of North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 8, at noon at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Pastor Reggie Spires officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Breast Cancer Awareness Program at Wayne Memorial Hospital, P.O. Box 410, Jesup, GA 31598.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Richard Donald “Marty” Martin
Savannah—Richard Donald “Marty” Martin, 84, died Sept. 28, 2021, at his residence under the care of Compassus Hospice.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a cable technician for Cable Vue T.V. in Jesup for more than 20 years before moving to Savannah.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vina Martin Webster and Elmer Webster, Frank L. Martin and Stella Wilson Martin; two siblings, Robert Frank Martin and Ronald William Martin; and four special family members, Doretha Lynn Deal, D. Lynn and Betty C. Deal and Eleen Lee Deal.
Survivors include his four children, Cheryl M. (Kevin) Arnold of Savannah, David E. (Leisha) Martin of Jesup, Debbie M. (John) Dees of Baxley and Greg (Bebe) Martin of Kingsland; six grandchildren, Blaze (Samantha) Martin of Riverview, Florida, J.C. Dees of Savannah, Christopher Martin of Valdosta, Dylan Martin of Jesup, Zach Martin of Savannah and Josh Martin of Savannah; two great-grandchildren, Levi and Shelby Martin of Riverview; a special friend, Linda Holub, of Savannah; extended- family members, Elwyn (Nancy) Deal of Anderson, South Carolina, Annette (Jimmy) Carter of Hinesville, Roy (Elaine) Bass of Baxley and Eldon (Pam) Deal of Baxley; and several nieces, nephews and other family members.
A memorial service will be held at a later date owing to COVID-19 restrictions at the Georgia Veterans Cemetery in Glennville.
Nobles Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Carrie Lee Hedberg Passailaigue
Baxley—Carrie Lee Hedberg Passailaigue died Oct. 1, 2021, at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
She was born in Illinois and was a lifetime resident of Appling County. She was a member of the Appling County High School Class of 1991. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing from South University in Savannah and was working on her master’s degree in family nurse practitioner. She was the nursing shift administrator for Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup.
She was loved and will be greatly missed by her family, friends and community. She supported many through her generous and caring nature in the field of nursing and beyond. She had a vivacious spirit that will live on in all who knew her, her family said.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alex Passailaigue, and a sister-in-law, Dana Clements.
Survivors include her children, Alex (Kayla) Passailaigue of Baxley and Andrew Passailaigue of Baxley; her mother, Cynthia (William) Holcombe of Orange Park, Florida; her father, John (Darlene) Hedberg of Wheatfield, Indiana; five siblings, James Hedberg of New Lenox, Illinois, Suzanne McCrary of Muskegon, Michigan, Cassandra Hower of Baxley, Anna (Kevin) Murphy of East Troy, Wisconsin, and Cindy Hunter of Oak Lawn, Illinois; and a niece, Alyse Deen of Baxley.
Funeral services were held Oct. 6 at the Nobles Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Randy Sellers and the Rev. Agnes Sellers officiating.
Interment followed in Midway Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Dustin Bass, Dane Clements, Carter Cauley, Ed Hart, Wayne Butler and Corbett Bowen.
Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Memorial staff, Appling Health Care staff, and Meadows Regional staff.
Nobles Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
Dr. O. Eugene Tyre
Newnan--Dr. O. Eugene Tyre, 81, died in Newnan Sept. 26, 2021.
His family said his life can best be described in the words of Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. “
The Lord delighted in Dr. Gene Tyre when he arrived in His presence on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021.
He was born in Jesup on Oct. 10, 1940 to the late Otis Eugene Tyre and Sara Wilson Tyre. He grew up the small rural community of Odum.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Joy Kinsey.
He was a fastidious student who believed in the value of education. In his teenage years, the Lord called him into ministry where he was ordained in January 1959 at the age of 18. After graduating from Odum High School in 1958, he enrolled and earned a bachelor's degree from the Southern Baptist affiliated school, Mercer University, in Macon.
He obtained his master's degree of divinity and doctoral degree in ministry from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
His time at Mercer University left an imprint on him, and he dedicated many hours to the benefit of the school by serving as a trustee. Realizing the importance of his educational experience, he taught and encouraged many students as an adjunct professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and at Candler School of Theology.
He began church ministry as a student pastor at Rodgers Baptist Church in Collins and English Baptist Church in English, Kentucky. He also served at Belmont Baptist Church in Calhoun, Headland Heights Baptist Church in East Point and First Baptist Church of Cartersville. In 1972, he was called to be the senior pastor of Rainbow Park Baptist Church in Decatur, where he faithfully served for 10 years.
In 1982, he was called to be the senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Newnan. After moving to Newnan, he and his family immersed themselves in the community and led the congregation through many years of growth and prosperity. He was incredibly humbled to be asked to serve as the chaplain of the Newnan Cougars football team, where he was an integral part of the lives of many young men who he led to Christ.
In 2005, at the age of 65, he retired from First Baptist Newnan after 23 years of dedicated, faithful service. In 2004, his commitment to his community was recognized by one of the highest honors in Coweta County, being named Citizen of the Year.
He later became the senior pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Rico for several years and was currently serving as interim pastor for White Oak First Baptist Church in Newnan.
After several months of retirement, he felt the call to continue his ministry outside the walls of a church. He continued his ministry by working for Georgia Bone and Joint counseling with their patients. He became involved in another Christian organization, The Summit Family YMCA in Newnan. He could be found most mornings working out at the YMCA and then staying to volunteer. He was the chairman of the board and was recognized for his service by having a meeting room at the YMCA named in his honor.
In 1996, he was honored to be one of the local Olympic “torch bearers.”
He was not only committed to service in his community but also the Georgia Baptist Convention. He served as vice-president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, chairman of the Georgia Baptist Hospital Commission and chairman of the executive committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention. His work in the Georgia Baptist Convention was recognized when he received the James Westberry Award for service to the Georgia Baptist Convention and Mercer University.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Margaret Maddox Tyre; daughter, Jenny Tyre; grandson, Mihai Tyre; siblings, Jan (Richard) Jackson of Jesup, Richard (Linda) Tyre of Franklin, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews.
The family says, Acts 11:24 perfectly describes the work and ministry of him, “for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And considerable numbers were brought to The Lord.”
A memorial service was held Oct. 3 at Newnan High School’s Drake Stadium with Dr. Jim Ellison officiating. Rather than flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Coweta Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 90 Glenda Trace, Newnan, GA 30265 or www.cowetafca.org/donate.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.mckoon.com.
McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
Henry E. Orberg Jr.
Henry Orberg Jr., 77, of Brunswick, died at the Senior Care Center in Brunswick on Aug. 5, 2021.
Arrangements may be made at a later date.
Cremation services were provided by Golden Isles Cremation Center/Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home.