RINEHART & SONS
William Donald “Don” Blocker Sr.
Screven—William Donald “Don” Blocker Sr., 91, of Screven died June 18, 2022.
The Wayne County native and U.S. Army veteran was a member of Screven First Baptist Church. He graduated in 1948 from Screven High School, and at the age of 18, he went to serve his country in the Korean War. When he returned home, the G.I. Bill afforded him to attend the University of Georgia and receive a degree in education.
He loved to farm, especially growing watermelons, while he worked full-time as a carpenter, educator, basketball coach and vocational supervisor.
When he wasn’t working or farming, he would fish or play cards or checkers.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Alvin Blocker; a sister, Martha Ann Phillips; a grandson, Ben Grantham; and a son-in-law, Buddy Tate.
Survivors include two daughters, Rhonda (Frank) Pearson of St. Simons Island and Kim Tate of Screven; a son, Chip Blocker of Screven; their mother, Marion Pope Blocker; five grandchildren, Lori Hamm, Erin Driggers, Bo (Aletha) Mann, Sasha Theus and Summer (Jereme) Kennedy; 15 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, June Gray and Mary Hammond.
Funeral services were held June 21 at Screven First Baptist Church with Brother Durwood Miller and Frank Pearson officiating. Interment followed in the Screven City Cemetery with military honors. Active pallbearers were family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Screven First Baptist Church, 302 School Street, Screven, GA 31560 or the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, 9420 Blackshear Hwy. SE, Baxley, GA 31513.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Freda Harrell Smith
Jesup—Freda Harrell Smith, 81, of Jesup died June 19, 2022.
The Camden County native had lived most of her life in Wayne County. She was a charter member of Emanuel Baptist Church and was instrumental in helping to establish Christian Park Academy and taught there a few years. She was an insurance sales agent, working for several companies. She was a dear friend who extended a helping hand and prayer to friends and neighbors.
She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Bobby L. Smith.
Survivors include daughters, Sabrina (Michael) Hannon, Sasha (Ronnie) Anderson, all of Dothan, Alabama, and Shea Alfreda Smith of Crescent; a son, Robert Andrew Smith of Jesup; eight grandchildren, Brandon (Emma), Casi and Rachel (Andrew) Hannon, Daniel (Kirstin) and Sierra Anderson, Ellie (Linwood) and McKinley (Logan) Baker, and Cameron Smith; four great-grandchildren, Heidi, Lillianna, Celeste,and Brynleigh; several nieces and nephews; and a brother, Creighton (Macy) Harrell of Hortense.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 24, at 11 a.m. from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Thomas Waters officiating. Graveside services will follow in Hortense Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be her family.
Family will receive friends today (Thursday) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Louise Dunham Dear
Jesup—Louise Dunham Dear, 96, of Jesup died June 18, 2022.
The Wayne County native was a member of First United Methodist Church and The Joy Sunday School Class. She served as the “Dear” family matriarch and was a member of Green Thumb of Jesup for many years. She was an avid antique collector and enjoyed arranging and helping others with their finds.
She was the widow of Clarence Dear and is also predeceased by her son, Charles F. Dear; sisters, Dorothy Sponholtz, Isabelle Howard and Vivian Dunham; and brothers, John F. and Spencer Dunham.
Survivors include sons, Richard (Carolina) Dear, Stephen Dear and David (Lori) Dear, all of Jesup; grandchildren, Wendy, Ellie, Maggie, Catherine, Stephen Jr., C.J., Brooke, Brittany and Spencer Dear and Parker Ogden; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held June 21 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Rebecca Duke-Barton officiating. Interment followed in Jesup City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Joy Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA. 31546.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elaine Dillow Wells
Jesup—Elaine Dillow Wells, 75, of Jesup died June 16, 2022.
She had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a Christian. She enjoyed cooking, taking care of her flowers and pets, and ceramics as a hobby.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry C. Wells.
Survivors include two sons, Chris (Alison) Carter of Danielsville and Todd (Millie) Carter of Jesup; a brother, Allen (Vicki) Dillow of Jefferson; two grandchildren, Jared Carter and Addi Mullis; and several other relatives.
Graveside services were held June 18 in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Devin Mixon officiating. Active pallbearers were her family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
HOWARD-JONES
Beth Ann Smith
Jesup—Beth Ann Smith, 58, died peacefully at home on June 14, 2022, surrounded by her loving family under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
She was born on Aug. 5, 1963, in Daytona Beach, Florida. She was a graduate of Surfside High School and was a longtime member of Central Baptist Church. She was a happy and selfless person who always enjoyed doing kind things for other people, her family said.
She worked for many years with the Central Baptist Church Youth Camp and was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, according to her family.
Her son, Cody, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her husband, Darrell Smith of Jesup; parents, Jack and Betty Wingard of Ormond Beach, Florida; a stepdaughter, Latisha (Seth) Richard of Troy, Michigan; five grandchildren, Gabriella, Kyra, Annabella, William and Kenna; a brother-in-law, DeWayne Smith of Texas; a sister-in-law, Maura Murto of Arizona; and numerous other extended-family members.
Memorial services will be held at Central Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida, at a later date.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Cynthia Yeomans Flood
Jesup—Cynthia Yeomans Flood, 67, died June 18, 2022, in the Hospice Suite of Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup.
She was born in Waycross on May 27, 1955 and was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Neal F. and Della L. Yeomans.
Survivors include siblings, Harry B. (Jane) Yeomans, Beth Y. (Tim) Thrift and Melissa Y. (Robert) Peacock; nephews, Neal (Beth) Yeomans, Adam Sheridan (Jen Meade) and Caleb (Brittany) Peacock; nieces, Ansley Yeomans (Angela Riccetti) and Amanda Peacock; a special cousin, Rebecca Yeomans; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and her best friend, Torry Strickland Hayes.
She worked as a legal secretary and a professional photographer. She enjoyed creating art and playing the piano.
In accordance with her wishes, no service will be held.
The family requests gifts and memorial donations be made to Hospice of South Georgia Inc., 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545. “This is a wonderful organization that greatly contributed to her comfort and the family’s peace of mind,” the family said.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Charles O. Madray
Jesup—Charles O. Madray, 81, died June 18, 2022, at Candler Hospital in Savannah.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born on Nov. 29, 1940, to the late Holland and Emmalene McIntyre Madray. He worked at Waynline for a short time in his younger years and then began a career in insulation, in which he worked in for the rest of his life.
He enjoyed fishing, collecting, and spending time with his family and friends when he wasn’t working.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Janice Madray and Sandy Henderson.
Survivors include two sisters, Faye Dent of Jesup and Bobbie Padgett of Pooler, along with her children; two nieces, Debbie (Andy) Lettow of Statesboro and Kellie (Cameron) Williams of Statesboro; a nephew, David (Buffie) Padgett of Statesboro; a son, Charles Lakey of Tennessee; nieces, Paige and Holly; and a host of other extended-family members.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Interment will be held privately in Altamaha Baptist Church Cemetery.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.