Sherry Starling Lynn
Jesup—Sherry Starling Lynn, 56, of Jesup died Nov. 20, 2021, of an apparent heart attack.
She was born on Dec. 2, 1964 and was educated in the Wayne County school system, graduating in 1983. She returned to this school system by working in it for more than 30 years as a paraprofessional, secretary and computer operator.
The Crossroads Church of God member was a beloved wife, mother, Granny, Nana, sister and daughter. She loved making memories with her family, traveling, cooking for holidays and collecting recipes. This faithful, kindhearted, genuine lady always helped others, her family said.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Lucille Starling; sisters, Laverne (Kenny) Jones and Carolyn Leggett; and two brothers, Billy and Kenny (Judy) Starling.
Survivors include her husband of 20 years, Robert Lynn Jr. of Jesup; two daughters, Michelle (Doug) Stephens of Odum and Kelli (Joey) Wells of Ludowici; a son, Robbie (Allison) Strickland of Jesup; 11 grandchildren, Jameson and Knox Stephens, Annlee, Jolee and Makinlee Wells, Tyler, Hayden, Shyanne, and Madi, Jasetyn and Emerlyn Strickland; a sister, Johnnie Mae (Don) Woods of Jesup; a brother, Jimmy (Lolita) Starling of Jesup; several nieces and nephews; a father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert (Cynthia) Lynn; sisters-in-law, Kitty Starling and Melanie Lynn; brothers-in-laws, Ron Leggett and Chris (Christy) Lynn; and a grandmother-in-love, Carolyn Lynn.
Funeral services were held Nov. 23 at Crossroads Church of God with the Rev. James Carter and Pastor Brandon Stone officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Buddy Starling, Ken Jones, Chris Lynn, Richard Surrency, Stacey Thornton and Mark Reddish. Honorary pallbearers were her fellow members of the Adult Sunday School Class and staff of James E. Bacon Elementary School.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crossroads Church of God, 2949 Lanes Bridge Road, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mike Keith
Jesup—Mike Keith, 61, of Jesup died Nov. 18, 2021, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native and 1978 Wayne County High School graduate was a member of Memorial Baptist Church and had attended Altamaha Baptist Church. He was a 31-year ITT Rayonier employee and enjoyed fishing, trips to the beach and lazy sunny days at Cherokee Lake.
He was predeceased by his father, Bill Keith.
Survivors include his son, Parker Keith of Odum; his mother, Rita Keith of Jesup; two sisters and caretakers, Kim (Ben) Cason of Jesup and Patti (Mike) Mosley of Jesup; a brother, David (Lynn) Keith of Jesup; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private memorial services will be held later by the family.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Alice Walters Mallard
Jesup—Alice Walters Mallard, 81, of Jesup died Nov. 19, 2021, at her residence after an extended illness under the care of Georgia Hospice Care.
The Wayne County native was a member of First Freewill Baptist Church and a retired 30-year employee with The Press-Sentinel. She enjoyed her family and traveling with friends. Her community service included troop leader for the Girl Scouts, the Jaycee Jollies, Georgia pageant judge, volunteer at Wayne Memorial Hospital, and former Wayne County Chamber of Commerce director.
She was preceded in death by her son, Kim Mallard; her parents, Athens and Estelle King Walters; and a brother, Dale Walters.
Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Royal Mallard of Jesup; a daughter, Rhonda (Wayne) Townsend of Jesup; a brother, Harold Walters of Columbus; grandchildren, Kimberly (Lee) Bradford of Jesup and Dane (Jamie) Townsend of Jesup; great-grandchildren, Lexi, Kaylee Rae, Abby, Brittany and Shayna Bradford, Camden, Taylor Gage, A.J. Townsend, Will Seymour; a great-great-grandson, Christopher Bradford; and a host of other relatives.
Funeral services were held Nov. 22 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Hospice Chaplain the Rev. Ryan Wilson officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family. Honorary pallbearers were Latisha, Geneva, Julia and the Georgia Hospice Care employees.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Paul W. Simniok
Jesup—Paul W. Simniok, 79, of Jesup died Nov. 16, 2021.
The Wisconsin native had lived most of his adult life in Wayne County and was a member and former deacon of Spring Grove Freewill Baptist Church. He was a retired 20-year U.S. Army veteran, having served in Vietnam and a retired civil service employee. A favorite pasttime was delivering the Army Times newspaper in several counties.
His parents, Erich and Gertrude Simniok, preceded him in death along with a brother, Billy Simniok.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Shirley Brooker Simniok of Jesup; two daughters, Paula (late David) Graham of Jesup and Trina (Robert) Smith of Jesup; a son, Paul (Crystal) Simniok of Sierra Vista, Arizona; two sisters, Helen (John) Hageman and Janet Olson; three brothers, Richard, Dennis and Donnie Simniok, all of Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren, Pearl, John, Daniel, Steven, Annabelle, James, Sarah, Ann, Morgan and Natalie; and a great-grandchild, Lincoln.
Funeral services were held Nov. 21 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Pastor Tim Brantley officiating. Interment followed in Spring Grove Cemetery with military honors. Active pallbearers were his family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Betty Marie Greene Ledbetter
Register—Betty Marie Greene Ledbetter died peacefully at her home near Register on Nov. 18, 2021 after an extended illness. Her devoted family was by her side.
She was born in Wayne County on July 10,1936, to Luther and Pearl Sharpe Green and had lived in Bulloch County for the past 41 years. She met Carl Ledbetter on a Sunday afternoon in August, 1953, and it was “love at first sight” for both. They were married May 31, 1954, and remained together for 67 years, until her passing.
She attended Screven High School and Georgia Southern College, now Georgia Southern University. She held several occupations in her life, most important as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, her family said. She moved with her pastor husband to Register in January, 1981, and was later elected to Register’s first Town Council. Then, at the request of the mayor and other council members, she became the first town clerk of the newly incorporated town.
She was active in several Southern Baptist churches throughout the years and was her husband’s strongest supporter in his pastoral and Hospice Chaplin ministries. She was a member of Odum Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, the Rev. Carl E. Ledbetter Sr.; two children, Carl E. “Eddie” Ledbetter Jr. and Belinda Ledbetter (Daniel Joseph) O’Connell Jr.; four grandchildren, Daniel Joseph O’Connell III, Samuel Sasser O’Connell, Eliza Marie Ledbetter (Greg) Isenbarger and MacKenzie Marie O’Connell (Stephen) Gilbert; five great-grandchildren, Madeline Bree O’Connell, Ryder Gilbert, Braelynn O’Connell, Hadley O’Connell and Aiden Gilbert; one brother, Jimmy Leon Greene; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held Nov. 21 in Screven City Cemetery with Daniel O’Connell III and the Rev. Grady Walden officiating. Pallbearers were Daniel O’Connell II, Sam O’Connell, Ian Greene, Greg Isenbarger, Stephen Gilbert and Larry Welch.
Any remembrances may be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, 200 Donehoo Street, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30458.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Howard Charles “Chuck” Nugent
Jesup—Howard Charles “Chuck” Nugent, 73, of Jesup died Nov. 19, 2021.
The Ohio native had lived in Wayne County the past 30 years and was a former member of Screven First Baptist Church and active member of Anderson Drive Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing and doting on the grandchildren. Many people would say he never met a stranger and loved telling stories.
Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Theresa Devereaux Nugent of Jesup; two daughters, Angela (Brad) Lodge and Sierra Nugent, both of Jesup; a son, Travis (Kylie) Devereaux of London, Kentucky; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Janie (John) Shear of Russell Springs, Kentucky and Sharon Harmon of Safety Harbor, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held Nov. 24 at Anderson Drive Baptist Church with Pastor Dustin Cribbs officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.