Howard-Jones
Master Sgt. James Stuart Wright
Jesup—Master Sgt. James Stuart Wright, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), 64, died suddenly July 27, 2022, at Southeast Health Systems in Brunswick.
A resident of Jesup for the past several years, Jim, as he was known by family and friends, was born on Sept. 2, 1957, in Hartford, Connecticut, to the late William Wallace and Therese Ouellette Wright. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for 22 years, traveling all over the world to his various appointments, including duty stations in Okinawa, Japan, Germany and several other installations in Europe. He eventually achieved the rank of master sergeant and worked as a drill instructor before his retirement in 1997. He then began second and third careers, working with the DEA, Homeland Security and then the State Department before his final assignment as an instructor at FLETC, a federal training facility in Brunswick.
When he wasn‚Äôt working, he enjoyed taking trips in his recreational vehicle and riding his motorcycle. He had participated in numerous benefit rides over the years, including the Rolling Thunder and Texas Welcome Home benefit rides. He loved talking politics and enjoyed swapping old “war stories” while spending time with the ones he loved the most.
Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Elizabeth Wright of Jesup; four children and a son-in-law, James Wright Jr. of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Krystle and Michael Hitch of Snow Hill, Maryland, Alexander Wright of Burleson, Texas, and Cpl. Steven Wright of Jacksonville, North Carolina; stepchildren and their spouses, Jerry Garner and his wife, Whitney, of Buna, Texas, and Alta Rose Smith and her husband, Owe, of Winchester, Virginia; two brothers, William Wright of Six Mile, South Carolina, and Jesse Wright of Westminster, South Carolina; grandchildren, Emersyn and Presley Hitch, Ryan and Ethan Garner, Jeremy Sullivan, Serenity Manchester, George “Chunky’Edwards, and Ariel Edwards; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Aug. 7, 2022, at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with full military honors rendered by the U.S. Marine Corps. The family will receive friends after the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or online at woundedwariorproject
.org.
Friends and family members are invited to sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
Rinehart & Sons
Catherine Loretta Green
Brunswick—Catherine Loretta Green, 77, of Bruns-wick and Screven died Aug. 1, 2022. A Wayne County native, she had lived in Glynn County the past 45 years and was a member of Abundant Life Fellowship Church of God and a homemaker. She loved to arrange flowers, decorate her home, cook, and can vegetables and delicious jellies and jams.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Alva Davis Green, and siblings Jim Green, Mary Starratt, Ouida Drury, Connie Green, Brantley Green, Jeanette Griffis, Carol Green and Joyce Jones.
Survivors are her children, Robin (Scott) Stephens of Brunswick, Monty Spradley of Patterson and Kevin Bargeron of Brunswick; a daughter-in-love, Lisa Strayer of Offerman; two grandchildren, Danielle Strickland and Justin (Kandace) Bargeron; a great-grandchild, Emberlee Bargeron; a sister, Martha (Revis) Wasdin of Screven; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. today (Aug. 4, 2022) at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with pastor Bobby Moore officiating. Interment will follow in the Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be her family.
Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
Vernell “GiGi” Dent Walker
Vernell “GiGi” Dent Walker, 89, died July 30, 2022, after a period of declining health.
She was born Nov. 19, 1932, in Jesup and was the third child of the late Logan T. Dent and Viola Ogden Dent. Growing up in Jesup, she graduated from Jesup High School. A few days later, she married her childhood sweetheart, R.L. Walker, on the “hottest” day of the year in June 1950. They lived at 324 Harper St. in Jesup, where they were blessed with and raised their three children—Kathy, Kati and Lindsay.
Jesup First United Methodist Church was essential to their family. Vernell served on numerous committees and was a founding member of the Joy Sunday School Class and a member of the ladies circles throughout her life in Wayne County. She loved her family and many friends, always wearing a big smile on her face. Their home was a welcome haven for friends of all ages and the many family members throughout the county, her family said.
Vernell was an avid bridge player and expert Scrabble player, loved playing ladies golf and tennis, and served as hostess for innumerable friends and family celebrations. R.L. and Vernell traveled throughout the United States and Canada, camping with their children and dear friends the Wilsons and the Aitkens. Whether rafting on the Colorado River or camping in the Smoky Mountains, she was always up for the adventur, her family said.
Vernell loved people from all walks of life and “never met a stranger.” Her family said, “Give her 30 minutes sitting by a stranger, and she could tell you their life story! Her joy and love for life lives on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
She is survived by her three children; Kathy’s children, Matt Ross and Ben Ross (Lauren); Kati’s children, Casey Recor (Craig) and Caroline Allen (Doug); Lindsay’s children, Jordan Walker (Kelcie), Brandon Walker (Anna) and Griffin Walker; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 5, 2022, at Jesup First United Methodist Church with pastor Rebecca Duke-Barton officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jesup First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Cherry St., Jesup, GA 31546.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
Out of Town
Betty Jane White
Erie, Kansas—Betty Jane White, 79, of Erie, Kansas, died July 28, 2022, in Rose Hill, Kansas.
She was born July 2, 1943, in Holton, Kansas, the daughter of Maurice and Jane (Dunlap) Tharp. She grew up in Topeka, Kansas, graduating from Topeka High School in 1961. She met the love of her life, Elden L. White, in 1961, and they were married on May 11, 1962. To this union, they were blessed with two daughters.
In 1962 they moved to Puerto Rico, where Elden was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. They moved back to Kansas in 1965, and she started her career as an LPN. She worked as an RN after completing her education from Stormant Vail School of Nursing, Haskell Indian Nations University and Baker University. In 1993 she received her master’s degree from The University of Kansas Medical Center with a dual degree in teaching and practicing as a family nurse practitioner. In 1994 she accepted a position at Yankton Sioux Tribal Health in Wagner, South Dakota. She worked there for seven years, until retiring. In 2003 she and Elden moved to Polson, Montana, where they enjoyed years of retirement. They returned to Kansas in 2020.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by four siblings.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Sharon Lea Gray (Bill) and Missy White; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren with one on the way; one sister, Donna Nabus; and numerous other family members and friends.
A celebration-of-life service will be announced at a later date.