Rinehart & Sons
Jaxson James Conley
Jesup—Jaxson James Conley, 2 1/2-month-old son of Blake Conley and Mercedes Channell, “went to his heavenly home” on June 25, 2022, his family said.
He was also survived by his two sisters, Harper Channell and Peyton Conley; paternal grandmother, Cindy Hinson; and other extended family members.
His maternal grandmother, Robin Stossmeister, preceded him in death.
Private memorial services will be held by the family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Joseph W. “J.W.” Blanton
Jesup—Joseph W. “J.W.” Blanton, 100, of Jesup died July 1, 2022.
The Appling County native had lived in Wayne County most of his life and was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran. He was a member of Jesup First Freewill Baptist Church, where he was a deacon, Sunday school teacher and treasurer.
Retiring as an engineer with the Georgia Department of Transportation, he enjoyed his later years doting on grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Working gave him much satisfaction and pleasure in life, his family said.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Rentz Blanton; three sisters, Joyce Mann, Gladys Crosby and Inez Wicker; and a son-in-law, Harry Lewis.
Survivors include two daughters, Sondra Lewis of Jesup and Joy (Talmadge) Ogden of Odum; several grandchildren, Keith (Jodi) Lewis, Benji (Karla) Ogden and Brian (Erica) Ogden; and several great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held July 5 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Stanley Todd and Brother Joe Pritchard officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Keith Lewis, Benji Ogden, Brian Ogden, Gene Mann, Terry Peeples and Joe Pritchard. Honorary pallbearers were his fellow brothers and sisters at Jesup First Freewill Baptist Church, staffs of Hospice of South Georgia and Cotton Grove Nursing Home.
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.
Roger Dale Lewis
Jesup—Roger Dale Lewis, 68, died on July 2, 2022, after a short illness.
The Wayne County native was a long-time member of Epworth United Methodist Church and an educator for the Wayne County school system, where he retired in 2014 as an elementary school principal.
He was an avid sports fan and loved playing baseball and golf. He was a member of the 1967 Wayne County High School state championship baseball team and then played baseball at Brunswick Junior College. He went on to coach boys’ baseball and girls’ softball for 35-plus years. He coached in Lowndes, Long and Wayne counties and led many Wayne County youth to win multiple Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s state championships.
He also enjoyed watching all sports, especially the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves.
He loved spending time with his family, playing cards and singing. He began singing as a young child and enjoyed sharing his talent in church. He participated in the Wayne County Productions for many years and was lovingly known as the “Round Mound of Sound.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, W.D. and Macy Lewis; his brothers, Larry Lewis and Ralph Lewis; his sister, Faye Lewis Ring; and his son-in-law, Daniel Lynn.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Paula Hickey Lewis of Jesup; two daughters, Nicole Lynn of Jesup and Ashleigh (Matthew) Johnson of Odum; one grandson, Knox Lynn; one granddaughter, Blakely Johnson; one brother, Ronnie Gerald (Kyong) Lewis; one sister, Barbara (Wayne) Tingen of Oxford, North Carolina; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration-of-life service will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Garth Duke-Barton officiating.
Interment will follow in the Jesup City Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Randy Bullock, John Wayne Floyd, Bob Morgan, Johnny Puccio, Barry Smith, Keith Vickers, Twyman Vickers and Earl Yeomans. Honorary pallbearers include all of his former ball players and educator colleagues.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, The American Cancer Society, or St. Jude’s Research Hospital.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Howard-Jones
Janelle Hudson Bishop
Jesup—Janelle Hudson Bishop, 83, died July 1, 2022, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah.
She was born on Oct. 22, 1938, in Hampton County, South Carolina, to the late Daniel and Leila Crosby Hudson. She and her late husband moved around quite frequently as he worked for CSX Railroad before settling in Jesup nearly 50 years ago.
She worked as a paraprofessional for many years with the Wayne County school system and also offered home child care. She was an active member of Jesup First Baptist Church for nearly 50 years where she attended the Harmony Sunday School Class.
In her spare time, she enjoyed flowers, gardening, baking and cooking. She was thrifty and always enjoyed taking care of others, placing their needs before her own.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fletcher Bishop; a son, Hal Bishop; two brothers, Clyde and Clarence Hudson; and three sisters, Ruth Altman, Thelma Padgett and Helen Mixson.
Survivors include her two sons, Dwight (Ann) Bishop of Jesup and Wally (Angie) Bishop of Jesup; four sisters, Joan Bishop of Early Branch, South Carolina, Ethylean (Marshall) Fisk of Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, Cathryn Whittington of Varnville, South Carolina ,and Pearl Malphrus of Bluffton, South Carolina; one brother, Danny (Pat) Hudson of Summerville, South Carolina; four grandchildren, Jeff (Caroline) Bishop of Jesup, Russell Bishop of Screven, Travis (Deanna) Bishop of Jesup and Matthew (Shelia) Bishop of Brunswick; three great-grandchildren, Katy Bishop, Hailey Bishop and Foster Grey Bishop; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held July 3 at Jesup First Baptist Church with Dr. Michael VonMoss and Dr. Felix Haynes officiating.
Interment followed in Sunset Oaks Memorials.
Active pallbearers were Jeff, Russell, Travis, Matthew, Marshall and Tommy Bishop.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Harmony Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Wayne County Veterans Memorial Wall, P.O. Box 1163, Jesup, GA 31598.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.