Janell Brannen Lewis
Jesup—Janell Brannen Lewis, 88, of Jesup died June 22, 2020.
The Wayne County native was an active member of Jesup Primitive Baptist Church, where she served in many capacities. Her love of gardening and flower arranging was enjoyed by so many. She felt herself truly blessed as a wife, mother and homemaker.
She was predeceased by her husband, Elmer Lewis, and two sons, an infant, and Dr. Gary Lewis; a brother, Winton Brannen; and a sister, Mary Scott.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl (Maron) Deloach of Jesup, and Tina (Larry) Broach of Jacksonville, Florida; a sister and brother-in-law, Beth (Randy) Ritter; eight grandchildren, Brannen (Rich) Wead, Natalie (Andy) Uprichard, Aldyn Broach, Lydia Broach, Travis Parker, Dr. Judson (Emily) Lewis, Dr. Victor Lewis (Dr. Jeniann Yi), and Phillip Lewis; a daughter-in-law, Diane Lewis; brothers-in-law, Herman (Tillie) Lewis and Julian (Carol) Lewis; three sisters-in-law, Jackie, Olene and Faye Lewis; a brother-in-law, Bill Scott; several great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Graveside funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with Elder Emerson Proctor officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jesup Primitive Baptist Church, 595 South First Street, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Nell Howard Proudfoot
Mount Pleasant—Nell Howard Proudfoot, 80, of the Mount Pleasant community died June 16, 2020
The Wayne County native was a member of Akin Memorial United Methodist Church and a homemaker. She liked to stay busy putting puzzles together, working in her garden, watching Braves baseball, baking and visiting with friends.
She loved her family and her dog “Peanut” and even gave her brother, David, her “best” kidney.
She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Martin Proudfoot Sr.; two sons, Thomas Martin Proudfoot Jr. and John Howard Proudfoot; parents, Horton and Maude Howard; and brother, David Howard.
Survivors include a daughter, Debi (Richard) Wells of Ludowici; a daughter-in-law, Doe (Bob) Erwin of Jesup; grandchildren, Heather (John) Evans of Mount Pleasant, Hailey (Cody) Anderson of Odum, Trent (Jade Morris) Wells of Ludowici; great-grandchildren, Abby, Aubrey and Sadie Evans of Mount Pleasant, Maggie and Walt Anderson of Odum; siblings, Ann (Carl) Torkildsen of Brunswick, Donnie (Betty) Howard of Jesup, Maxie (Theresa) Howard of LaVernia, Texas, Gracie (Bobby) Groover of Mount Pleasant, Alvin (Jackie) Howard of Jesup; a sister-in-law, Valerie Howard of Kingsland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held June 19 at Akin Memorial United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Rick Turner officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Akin Memorial United Methodist Church, c/o Donna Cannon, 836 Post Road, Hortense, GA 31543.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Harrison Rupert Sharpe
Ludowici—Harrison Rupert Sharpe, 87, affectionately known by his family and friends as “Catfish,” died June 21, 2020, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia and his loving family.
A former resident of Jesup for most of his life and resident of Ludowici for the past 20 years, he was born on Oct. 8, 1932, in Allenhurst to the late Roy and Ozie Ryals Sharpe. As a young man, he moved around quite frequently with his family while his dad worked for the railroad, eventually living all over the South, including the cities of Fleming and Richmond, Virginia. After graduation from Jesup High School in 1951, he served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, where he saw quite a bit of action before being taken as a prisoner of war for a short time.
He then returned home to the States, where he worked several jobs including positions with the railroad and Rayonier Advanced Materials before taking a sales job for a life insurance company and later a bread company. He eventually settled into a routine with a civil service job on Fort Stewart, from which he retired after many years of service.
In his spare time, he enjoyed working around the yard “piddling on his tractor” and sharing stories with the ones he loved of the adventures and fond memories he had of his life. He would travel great lengths of distance to try a new restaurant, and he loved nothing more than spending time in the great outdoors hunting and fishing. He was a longtime member of House of Worship & Ministries and had been attending services most recently at Compass Worship Center Church of God in Ludowici.
In addition to his parents, his sister-in-law, Virginia Sharpe, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Dora Clanton Sharpe of Ludowici; three children, Ritchie (Gwen) Sharpe of Baxley, Randy (Lora) Sharpe of Ludowici and Charles “Chip” (Karen) Graham of Odum; a brother, Coleman Sharpe of Fleming; grandchildren, Tadd (Kim) Sharpe, Lynn Sharpe, Harrison (Kasey) Sharpe, Dorothy Gail Pratt, Christina (Elliott) Butts, Millie (Brent) Cole, Magen (Chael) Gilleon and Trey (Brittney) Graham; a brother-in-law, Billie (Nell) Clanton; and sister-in-law, Carolyn (Frank) Owens; 20 great- -grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended-family members. He is also survived by his faithful friends, Al Boyette and Al’s grandson, “Lil’ Man.”
Graveside funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Thompson Family Cemetery located on Highway 169 with the Rev. Byron Powers and the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Tadd Sharpe, Trey Graham, Cael Gillion, Harrison Sharpe, Al Boyette and Francisco Gomez.
Honorary pallbearers will be staff of Hospice of South Georgia, the members of the Duck Pond Hunting Club, Dr. Lance Hendrix and staff, Dr. Pablo Elizalde and staff, the staff of Amedisys Home Health, and Anton Green.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Harrison’s memory to the Pavilion Fund at the Thompson Family Cemetery, c/o Dale Franklin, 520 Cameron Road, Jesup, GA 31545.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Audie Lee Chancey
Savannah—Audie Lee Chancey, 70, of Jesup died June 16, 2020, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah.
Born in Jesup on July 22, 1949, he had lived there most of his life. He had worked as a laborer for several years before becoming disabled. He was of the Baptist faith and loved to go fishing when his health would allow it. He “never met a stranger.” He was known as “Papa” or “Papa Audie” to everyone, whether he had known the person for years or just met the person. He will be greatly missed by his children and grandchildren.
He was a son of the late Frank Chancey and Eva Agnus DuPree Chancey Beasley. He was also preceded in death by his son-in-law, David Winchester; a sister, Margie Chancey Hodges; a brother, James Chancey; a nephew, Jason Troy Chancey; and his first wife, Mary B. Chancey.
Survivors include his daughter, Waunee Winchester of Alma; his son, Earley Troy Chancey and Heath Mizell of Waycross; his sister, Linda Chancey of Jesup; his brother, Joe (Marthy) Chancey of Jesup; three grandchildren, David Winchester II, Matthew Winchester and Blake Mizell; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Graveside services were held June 20 at Beulah Cemetery.
Friends and family are asked to sign the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
Kevin D. Oldridge
Mankato, Minnesota—Kevin D. Ol-dridge, 59, of Man-kato, Minnesota, died June 11, 2020, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Ro-chester, Minnesota, after suffering cardiac arrest on June 5, 2020.
He was born April 3, 1961, in Waterloo, Iowa. He began his education journey at Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa, and later transferred to MSU-Mankato.
He was united in marriage to Peggy Sticha on Oct. 23, 1981.
For many years, 1984 to 2010, he was employed by Southern Minnesota Construction (SMC). After SMC, he went to work for Mankato Electric and then Civil Ag Group (CAG). From there, he landed at SM Hentges & Sons Inc. out of Jordan, Minnesota. In May of 2019, he decided to retire in order to further explore his interests.
All throughout his construction career, he created many strong bonds. He was also a proud and active member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE Local 49).
He was known as a kind soul who would help anyone in need. He had a unique way of teaching others. His hobbies and passions included being the first customer at the gym each morning for his workout, gardening, keeping his lawn well- manicured, building an array of projects out of wood, relaxing in his La-Z-Boy recliner with “Kitty” between his legs, family dinners on Sundays, and being surrounded by all of his loved ones—especially his grandchildren.
He enjoyed being a member of the Bluebird recovery program of Minnesota. There are many bluebird houses scattered throughout Southern Minnesota. (If you find one, care for it, his family requests.) He was a man of many talents.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy; two children, Chris (Ron) Guentzel of Mankato; Kevin J. (Kayla) Oldridge of Mankato; parents Chet and Maxine Oldridge; two siblings, Michelle (Ron) Weber of Gilbertville, Iowa; Brooks (Jeff) Oldridge of Los Angeles, California; three grandchildren, Alec, Marvin and Macey; a niece, Kayla Weber; and a nephew, Ryan Weber.
He was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Jim and Betty Sticha; grandparents, Frank and Wilda Daubenberger and Marvin and Edna Oldridge; and an infant brother, Ricky Oldridge.
The family extends its “sincere and heartfelt thanks” to the numerous doctors, nurses and supporting staff at the Saint Mary’s Hospital—Patient Care unit East Tower 7A and to LifeSource. Also, thanks to Dr. Krishna Pamulapati of MAYO Mankato.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the family’s home, 1026 East Main Street, Mankato, MN 56001, on June 27 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees are welcome to wear a favorite pair of overall bibs in his honor.
He gave the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. The family requests that donations in his memory be directed to LifeSource, 2225 West River Road North, Minneapolis, MN 55411 or for his love of nature to the BlueBird recovery program of Minnesota.
Jennifer M. Self Sierra
Columbia, South Carolina—Jennifer M. Self Sierra died in her sleep on April 26, 2020.
She was born March 21, 1971, in Columbia, South Carolina. She moved to Wayne County after “her daddy” passed away in 2014.
She was predeceased by her mother, Chris Shumpert Self of West Columbia, South Carolina, and “her daddy,” Leon Self of Elgin, South Carolina. He was a “huge Gamecock” fan.
Survivors include a brother, Rick Self of Centre, Alabama; “Granny” Self of Center; and Michelle Self of Center; sister, Debby (Weyant) Hendrix of Jesup; a son, Dustin Blair of Columbia; a granddaughter, Hailee Collins; and a grandson, Orion Meyers of Jesup.
Private services were held May 21 by Preacher Paul Rhoden. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Her family said she is very missed by family, friends everywhere and her cat, Kiki.
They also wished to thank everyone and said, “God bless.”
Henry Ardis Bennett
St. Marys—Henry Ardis Bennett, 93, of St. Marys died in the early morning hours of June 13, 2020.
He was born on Aug. 22, 1926, in Screven to the late Essie Mae Stanfield and Walter Rulon Bennett. He graduated from Screven High School in 1944 and served in World War II in the Pacific Theater, eventually serving under the U.S. Army Provost Marshal in Tokyo, Japan.
After his honorable discharge from the Army, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Southern College of Pharmacy in Atlanta in 1951. He then married Wanda Bennett Highsmith of Screven, and they moved to St. Marys, where together they owned and operated Bennett’s Drugs pharmacy for more than 40 years.
“Dr. Bennett” was very involved in his church, St. Marys United Methodist Church, holding several offices of leadership over the years. He was also involved in his community as well, even serving once as city councilman for the city of St. Marys. He had several interests, but his favorite pastimes included playing golf and working in his yard.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his two brothers, Autwey and Rulon Bennett; his daughter-in-law, Beverly Pittman Bennett; and his loving wife of 68 years, “Mrs. Wanda.”
Survivors include a daughter, Bridget Anne Bennett of St. Marys; two sons, Richard Walter Bennett and Robert Payne (Kim) Bennett of St. Marys; three grandsons, Greg Bennett and Brooks Bennett of St. Marys, and Benjamin (Amy) Bennett of St. Augustine, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held June 18 at St. Marys United Methodist Church with the Rev. J. Roy White and Dr. Derek McAleer officiating. Active pallbearers were David Peterson, Carol Moore, Michael Green, Dale Hoylman, Jeff Barker, and Mike Brandon. Interment followed at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Marys.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions can be made to St. Marys United Methodist Church (106 East Conyers Street, St. Marys, GA 31558), or to the Screven UMC Cemetery Fund (P.O. Box 158, Screven, GA 31560).