Judy Braddock Mullis
Jesup—Judy Braddock Mullis, 75, of Jesup died April 27, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a homemaker and former licensed practical nurse and worked with “Little Miracles” Day Care Center for many years. She was the widow of Ray James Mullis.
Survivors include two daughters, Sandra (Lonnie) Beasley of Jesup and Sherry Mullis of Jesup; a son, Chris Howe of Atlanta; four grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and a companion, Mike Wilson of Nahunta.
Funeral services were held May 1 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mickey Tomberlin officiating. Interment was at O’Quinn Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family. Honorary pallbearers were employees of “Little Miracles” Day Care Center.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ernest Teston
Jesup—Ernest Teston, 88, of Jesup died April 28, 2021.
The Appling County native was a member of Anderson Drive Baptist Church. The U.S. Army veteran was a lifelong Mason and Shriner and a retired security supervisor with Georgia Power Company.
He loved to joke with everyone he met and was the “clown” to make people laugh and feel welcome.
He was predeceased by his former wife, Nelda Faye Teston, and two brothers, M.L. and Otis Teston.
Survivors include his wife, Christine Wrenn Teston of Jesup; her daughters, Brenda (Hammer) Stanfield and Jeanine (John) Hauger, all of Jesup; a daughter, Becky Schmackpfeffer of Jesup; a son, Jimmy (Tina) Teston of Jesup; 10 grandchildren, Neely (Horace) Chatham of Midville, Chris (Miranda) Teston of K’ville, Danny (Brittany) Schmackpfeffer of Brunswick, and Storm Teston and Skylar (Sergio) Tlacuatl, Andrea (Jon) Willis, Greg and Casey Stanfield, and Matthew Groover, all of Jesup; 15 great-grandchildren, Hunter and Sabrina Teston, Natalie Tlacuatl, Joshua Highsmith, William and Emily Chatham, Cody, Carter and Connor Goldsmith, Eli Schmackpfeffer, Brady and Lane Willis, Jasper, Kaceley and Cayson Stanfield; two sisters, Shirley (Ken) Wilkes of Statesboro and Linda (Albert) Dyal of Odum; a brother, Bobby Teston of Fort White, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held May 2 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. John Brown and the Rev. Scott Hickox officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Cemetery with full masonic rites. Active pallbearers were Chris Teston, Storm Teston, Hunter Teston, Danny Schmackpfeffer, Sergio Tlacuatl and Albert Dyal. Honorary pallbearers were Mason and Shriners.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mark Grove
Odum—Mark Grove, 64, of Odum died April 27, 2021, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
He grew up in Cha-tham County, living in both Port Wentworth and Garden City. He attended Robert W. Groves High School and completed his GED in 1974. After receiving his GED, he attended the local vocational school in Garden City and became certified as a machinist and plaster pattern/plastic tool maker. The skills he obtained served him well through his career. He did contract work for several companies during his career which allowed him to experience life in different parts of the United States. His early years were spent working at Grumman (now Gulfstream) and the Georgia Ports Authority in Chatham County. In 1978 he contracted with different machine shops in Wichita, Kansas, where he worked for Boeing and Cessna aircraft companies, making engine parts, fuselages and wings for the 747 and 757 airplanes and for smaller aircrafts.
He later moved to California and contracted with Consolidated Design Incorporated (CDI) and Northrop Aircraft Company, working on airplane station lines, the remodel for the F18 engine, and the master models for engine nacelles and wing connections. When CDI contracted with Rockwell International, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked on building wings for airplanes. Once that job ended, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and worked for Avco Areo Structures. There he created the master model for the windshield of the Space Shuttle Challenger and worked on parts for the Stealth bomber wings.
Upon leaving Tennessee, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was employed by Eisenhardt Armoring Company. His work included making plaster casts from engineered clay molds for presidential limousines, creating the plaster cast and fiberglass molds for the stretch (middle) segment of the limousines.
During his younger years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and riding bulls for sport. He was an avid sports fan. Through his travels, jobs and life experiences, he was gregarious and made friends easily.
His one desire was to have an opportunity to prove his worth to the community upon moving to Odum to live with his brother and sister-in-law. His faith in God helped him through many difficult years and gave him hope for a better life, resting in Christ’s arms.
His parents, Philip and Virginia Grove, preceded him in death, along with his brother, Philip Michael Grove, and sister-in-law, Kathy C. Grove.
Survivors include his brothers, Roger L. (Donna) Grove of Beckley, West Virginia, and Harley (Jo Ann) Grove of Odum; a son, Marcus Dampier of Port Wentworth; several grandchildren; nieces, Jodie Tatum of Valdosta and Donna Darrow and Kristin (Brian) Haynes, both of Richmond Hill; nephews, Dusty (Kathy) Grove of Savannah, Roger Cole (Lynn) Grove of Beckley, and Ryan (Kelly) Grove of Jesup; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services were held April 30 at Rinehart Chapel with Dr. Mike VonMoss officiating. Interment was in Hillcrest Abbey West Cemetery.
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.
David E. Phillips
Jesup—David E. Phillips, 68, of Jesup died May 3, 2021.
The Wayne County native and U.S. Navy veteran serving in Vietnam was a former outreach minister and a former State of Georgia fire inspector.
He was predeceased by his dad, Harley Phillips.
Survivors include his wife, Janet Nail Phillips of Jesup; mother, Lorene Edenfield Vernon of Screven; sister, Debra Harper of Screven; brother, Tony Vernon of Washington; stepson, Pat Way of Jacksonville, Florida; stepdaughter, Lynn (Kenny) Sapp of Screven; and extended family.
Graveside services will be held May 7 (Friday) 11 a.m. from Screven City Cemetery with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Louise Teston
Jesup—Mary Louise Teston, 74, of Jesup died April 26th, 2021.
The Wayne County native was homemaker.
Survivors include her daughter, Lisa Teston (David) Diehl of Cape Coral, Florida; grandson, Michael Manuel of Cape Coral; sister, Faye (Rodger) Thornton; brothers, Dewitt (Una) Teston of Jesup and Jimmy (Barbara) Teston of Springlake, North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service were May 5 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating. Interment was at Jesup City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were David Manning Sr., Raymond Thornton, Pat Howard, Lawton Teston, Jessie Thornton and Steve Beverly.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Xavier Kevon Reddick
Jesup—Xavier Kevon Reddick, 25, of Jesup died unexpectedly on April 30, 2021.
He was born on Jan. 22, 1996, to Carl and Tyrina Reddick Jr. in Jesup. He was a member of Piney Grove Holiness Church under the leadership of Pastor Mammie Bryant. He was a 2015 graduate of Wayne County High School, where he participated in the band.
After completing high school, he attended Coastal Pines Technical College, where he received an associate’s degree in technology.
His employment included several years at the local Walmart, and he was presently employed with Healthy Pet Manufacturer in Jesup. When he was not working, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sheafronia Davis, Henry Wilson and Carl Reddick Sr.
Survivors include his loving parents, Carl and Tyrina Wilson-Reddick Jr. of Jesup; a brother, Andrew Reddick of Jesup; a sister, Dominique Ellis of Austin, Texas; his grandmother, Carolyn Miller of Jesup; his aunts, Sonja (Edward) Moore of Jesup, Keesha Griffin of Waverly, Virginia, and Carla Reddick of Texas; his uncles, Brandon Thomas of Brunswick and Patrick Griffin of Houston, Texas; and a host of great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins and friends.
A walk-through viewing will be held on Monday, May 10, at Unity Church of God, 1570 Sunset Blvd., from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 11, at 11 a.m. at Sunset Oaks Memorial Cemetery, 1570 Sunset Blvd.
Everyone in attendance must wear a mask and adhere to the 6-foot social-distancing guidelines set by the CDC and local health department, even if you have been vaccinated.
Royal Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Anthony Edward Burkes
Jesup—Anthony Edward Burkes, 23, died April 26, 2021.
A resident of Jesup for most of his life, he was born on Jan. 12, 1998, in Grand Haven, Michigan. He worked several odd jobs over the years including a job doing mechanic work with his stepfather and a position at Healthy Pet before beginning his latest venture as a truck driver for Roehl Transport.
He enjoyed playing video games, his true passion. He also loved dogs and enjoyed working on his old truck and shooting pool.
His father, Glenn Edward Burkes Jr., preceded him in death.
Survivors include his mother, Stacy Lynn Cross, and her husband, Raymond “Skeeter,” of Jesup; two sisters, Elizabeth (Tony) McGraw of Jesup and Chastity (Shawn) McDowell of Jesup; maternal grandparents, Paul and Debbie Moelker of Cape Coral, Florida; an aunt, Stephanie (Jack) VanderMolen of Grand Haven; an uncle, David Moelker of Cape Coral, Florida; a cousin who was more like a brother, Xavier Moelker; and numerous nieces, nephews cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held May 1 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home with the Rev. Louise Westberry officiating.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Stephen Frederick Kirton
Jesup—Stephen Frederick Kirton, 66, died suddenly on May 2, 2021.
A resident of Jesup for the past four years and former resident of Durham, North Carolina, he was born on April 4, 1955, in Jamaica, Queens, New York to the late Richard and Edith Hayes Kirton.
After graduation, he served his country in the United States Marine Corps for more than six years, working mostly as a chef. He sought higher education, first as an architect, but his love of cooking and serving others led him to pursue his degree in culinary arts. He worked at numerous fine dining establishments over his career as a chef, including one of his final jobs at the University in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In his spare time, he enjoyed photography, collecting swords, making birdhouses and taking in the beauty of nature.
In addition to his parents, his wife, Terry Lee Kirton, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his siblings, Ethel Stepney of Florida, Richard (June) Kirton of Atlanta, Debra Wilson of Tampa, Florida, Naomi (Larry) Billups of Odum, and Joseph (Lorraine) Johnson of Odum; a beloved canine companion, Mama; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Visitation will be held Saturday, May 8, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lucus L. Warren
Jesup—Lucus L. Warren, 84, died May 4, 2021, at Altamaha Healthcare Center in Jesup under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
A resident of Jesup for nearly 25 years, Luke, as he was affectionately known, was born on Feb. 5, 1937, to the late William and Lucille Davis Warren.
He spent his early years in White Oak, where he was educated in the Camden County school system. After graduation, he served his country for four years in the United States Air Force before beginning a long career in Cape Canaveral with the Chemical Division of United Technologies as an electronics tech. His area of expertise was in the electrical systems used on rockets that were being launched into space. He dedicated 35 years of service, moving numerous times to different locations and even having the honor of a picture of him working on a rocket being hung in the Air Force Museum. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and spending time with the children in the family. He truly loved being around the “little ones,” and they loved him in return.
In addition to his parents, his two brothers, Billy and Eugene Warren, and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law have preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Jean Stanfield Warren of Jesup; two sons, Barry Warren of Seattle, Washington, and Matthew (Rebecca) Warren of Titusville, Florida; a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Ansell of Titusville; several sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members, including several nieces and a nephew who were more like grandchildren, Madison and Mikey Eunice and Charlie Redman.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Boulevard, Jesup, GA 31545.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hewshal Raleigh Thornton
Jesup—Hewshal Raleigh Thornton, 91, of Jesup died May 1, 2021, at Altamaha Healthcare in Jesup.
Born in Bristol on Aug. 22, 1929, he had lived in Pierce and Wayne counties most of his life. A very patriotic man who loved his country, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict. He would go on to work for Interstate Paper Corp., where he retired following 40-plus years of service. He could come across as tough on the outside, but deep down he had a heart of gold, his family said. He dearly loved his family and his Pierce County Bears.
He was a member of Anderson Drive Baptist Church but periodically attended First Baptist Church in Blackshear in his later years.
He was the son of the late Lonnie & Alice Foster Thornton. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Edna Lois Fowler Thornton.
Survivors include four sons, Steven (Delores) Thornton of Huntersville, North Carolina, Neal Thornton of Jesup, David (Cindy) Thornton of Gum Branch, and Lee (Lala) Thornton of Odum; a sister, Noreen Byrd of Patterson; a sister-in-law, Margaret Robson Lee of Blackshear; 10 grandchildren, Shannon Stafford (Ted) Tomter, Mandy Collett, Robert (Elizabeth) Thornton, Chris (Dee) Mobley, Wendy (Brad) Walker, Ashley (Mark) Henry, Garrett Thornton, Jennifer Spell, Cade (Holly) Mattox and Jessie (Arthur) Sapp; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren with one more on the way; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services were held May 4 from the Pearson-Dial Chapel.
Interment was in Waters Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or to Hospice of South Georgia at www.hospiceoga.org.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mary A. DeHaven
Hollister, Florida—Mary A. DeHaven of Hollister, Florida, and member of the Crescent City congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, died on April 24, 2021.
“She passed away peacefully and faithful to her God Jehovah after nearly 55 years of service,” her family said.
Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka is in charge of arrangements.
Joseph J. Freeman
St. Simons Island—Joseph J. Freeman, 93, of St. Simons Island died April 27, 2021, at the Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick.
He was a native of Jesup and had been a resident of Glynn County since the mid-1950s. He retired from federal civil service.
Survivors include a daughter, Leza Freeman Witherington of Augusta; two sons, Joseph Jackson Freeman III of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Edward Dean Freeman of Southport, North Carolina; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and one sister, Linda Freeman Heaton of Lakeside Park, Kentucky.
A private burial will take place at a later date.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home and Oglethorpe Crematorium is in charge of arrangements.