• Rinehart & Sons
Nancy Lee Roebuck Turner
Jesup—Nancy Lee Roebuck Turner of Jesup and formerly of Dunbar, Pennsylvania, died Feb. 23, 2026, after years of battling multiple sclerosis.
She was born on Feb. 21, 1948, to the late George and Frances Murphy Roebuck. She will be remembered for being the neighborhood babysitter and everyone’s “Mom.” She helped raise many children who needed that extra parent or support. Baking her yearly cookies at Christmas and always helping her neighbors when they were in need are things most people remember about her, her family said.
She had favorite pastimes, such as taking care of her flowers and watching her daily soap operas. She had time for this after her husband retired from work, which involved moving to five states and nine different cities. At this point, she relegated all household requirements to her husband.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Wayne Turner; her son, Charles Warren Turner; brothers, George, Harold (Dick), Henry, Robert (Bob), Charles (Chuck) Roebuck; and sisters, Mary Martin and Linda (Boots) LaFisca.
Left to continue her legacy of baking good cookies and helping their neighbors are her children, Marianne Turner O’Shea, Gerald (April) Turner Jr. and Janet (Peter) Turner Schlaf; grandchildren, Michael Patrick O’Shea Jr., Carolyn Grace O’Shea, Gerald Wayne Turner III and Hope Marie Turner; brothers and sisters, John Roebuck, Helen Roebuck, Margaret Baker, Glenn (Vicki) Roebuck, Ruby (Robert) Liston and Jason Roebuck; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration-of-her-life service will be held at a later date.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Rodney Earl Krantz
Screven—Rodney Earl “Ronnie” Krantz, 51, of Screven died on Feb. 27, 2026.
The Wayne County native was a faithful and dependable clerk at Hurricane’s Café and Convenience Store. He was a friendly, computer savvy and smart man, his family said. The soft spot he had for children could be seen at the store when he would dote on everyone’s sons and daughters. Gaming was a favorite pastime.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Katherine Collins Pye ,and his grandparents, Kell and Mary Collins.
Survivors include two brothers, Kenny Krantz of Texas and Kelly (Shannon) Krantz of Screven; a sister, Debbie (Michael) Krantz Fisher of Michigan; an uncle, Kell Collins Jr.; several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and his loving work family, Ron and Ellen Twilley, and their staff at Hurricanes.
Graveside funeral services were held March 3 in Screven City Cemetery with the Rev. Kevin Kilpatrick officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Vernon Edward Jackson Sr.
Jesup—Vernon Edward Jackson Sr., 96, of Jesup died on March 2, 2026.
Born in Wayne County to Millard and Mae Jackson, he was drafted into the Army in 1951 at the age of 21 and then sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, for boot camp and directly to Kaiserslautern, Germany (K-town), where he served with Battery C 45th AAA Gun Battery.
He returned to Wayne County in 1953 and married Sadie Nettles. He served as post commander of VFW Post 4583 from 1996 to 1997. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion Post 311.
He was proud to have served his country. In honor of his many years of service in the VFW and armed services, July 15, 2023, was proclaimed “Vernon and Sadie Jackson Day” in Jesup by Mayor Ralph Hickox. He also served several years as an auxiliary policeman for the Jesup Police Department. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, spending time with his family, his “fur babies” and dancing with his bride.
Survivors include his wife of 73 years, Sadie Nettles Jackson of Jesup; a daughter, Karen (Steven) Murphy of Guyton; a son, Vernon Jackson Jr. and partner, Angela, of Screven; a sister, Helen (Parell) Harris of Brunswick; five grandchildren, Brenna (John) Lefcourt, Craig Murphy, Vernon (Jessica) Jackson III, Kira Jackson, Hannah (Dan) Lilley; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-life services were held March 4 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating. Interment was held in Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were his grandsons and nephews. Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Jesup VFW and American Legion and Rudy and Sheila Burcham.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Royal
Warren Perry Washington
Jesup—Warren “Tiny” Perry Washington, 65, of Jesup died unexpectedly on Feb. 18, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on Sept. 28, 1960, to the late George and Martha Houston-Washington in St. Petersburg, Florida. “Tiny,” as he was known among family members, his TikTok audience and friends, graduated from Northeast High School in Oakland Park, Florida, Class of 1978. He was reared in Oakland Park, Florida, formerly known as Harlem McBride.
He moved to Jesup in 2005. His employable years were spent at Winn-Dixie for 22 years and at CSX, where he worked 17-plus years as a welder and rail engineer before retiring in 2019.
His favorite pastime activities included TikTok videos, SEC football and watching his favorite teams (which would be the University of Florida Gators and the Dallas Cowboys), cooking, hunting and fishing. “Tiny” enjoyed spending time with his family and making everyone laugh.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Gemice Griffin-Washington, Jesup; his children, Melissa R. Washington and Melisa J. Washington, both of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Warren K. Washington of Jesup; a sister, Wanda Perry of St. Petersburg, Florida; like-a-sister, Sharon Prince of St. Lucie, Florida; a god-daughter, Anessa S. West of Waycross; a god son, Donnell (Dorothy) Frazier Jr. of Screven; his bonus grandson, Julian Roy II of West Palm Beach, Florida; his great-aunt, Bessie Perry of St. Petersburg, Florida; his mother and father-in-law, Edie and Ernest Merritt of Jesup; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Sandar Ray (who was his best co-partner in his performances on TikTok), Lakeisha (Michael) McQueen and Roshan Merritt, all of Jacksonville, Florida, Ricky Merritt of Jesup and Randy Merritt of Jacksonville, Florida; his niece, Betty Milton of Jasper, Florida; his closest friends, Daryl White, Jeffery Moore and Anthony Freeman; and a host of other relatives and fans who will miss him immensely.
Memorial services were held Feb. 27 at Unity Church of God.
Royal Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Joshua Roberts
Jesup—Joshua Roberts, 39, died Feb. 22, 2026. He was born in Jesup on July 12, 1990, to Deaon Williams and David Roberts, who both preceded him in death.
He was a student in the Wayne County public school system. After school, while still finding his own passion, he traveled the country and attended college football games with his childhood friend, Tre Jackson. He worked many different jobs while enjoying a love for football, basketball, music, fishing and more than anything else—seeing friends and family grow while celebrating them.
He maintained work with his Uncle Tommy and family with James White Construction Company. He was well-known and admired by the community, being known for always showing his affectionate smile and celebrating others.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Tiffany Roberts; grandmother, Eula Mae Sutton-Jones; grandfather, Woodrow Allen; and uncles, Larry Williams, Henry Lee Allen Sr. and Leon Allen.
Survivors include his daughters, Iyana Deon Roberts and Lilly Hall, whom he loved dearly; loving and caring grandparents, David and Annie Roberts; a great-grandmother, Dorothy Underwood; two sisters, Vicky Williams and Kantonya Williams; aunts, Connie Williams, Shirley Rawls, Gail (Jason) Bennett, Lisa Allen, Rose (Alfred) James, Pamela (the Rev. Dr. Christopher) West, Santina (Garland) Ingram and Sandra Morris; six uncles, Tommy (Gwendolyn) Williams, Edwin Roberts, Jerry (Donna) Roberts, Earl (Sandra) Roberts, Jerome Roberts and Lejuan Roberts; four nieces, Shanteria Williams, Shawnkia Burnett, Kamesha Trice and Shatora Kincade; three nephews, Rodney Cohen, Adrian Williams, Tee Burnett; special cousins, Tommy Futch, Rita Williams, Jerome Williams and Nicole Williams, Kimberly Williams, Ashley Williams, Chris Williams, Anthony Williams and Trayvis King; a special friend, Anastacia Griffin; and a host of cousins, coworkers and friends.
Funeral services were held March 1 at New Emory Chapel United Methodist Church.
Royal Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
David Laverne Denison
Screven—David Laverne Denison, 83, affectionately known as “Goat, Pa or Papa David,” died peacefully on Feb. 25, 2026, at home.
A resident of Wayne County for most of his life, he was born on Oct. 16, 1942, in Wayne County to the late Patrick Laverne Denison and Gladys Edmondson Denison. He graduated from Screven High School in 1960 and served his country in the National Guard from 1961 to 1969. He worked for a few years at Georgia Pacific Pulp and Paper in Brunswick when he was younger before beginning a career as a car inspector for CSX Railroad, where he worked loyally until his retirement in 2002.
He enjoyed the simple things in life—porch sitting, his animals (especially the baby chicks and goats), taking his dog Lady along for outings, and taking buggy rides around the neighborhood to check on everyone. He loved being on the tractor and working in his garden. He was a skilled craftsman and loved woodworking and the opportunity to work on special projects for other people.
He was a man of his word, his family said. When he said something, he meant it. As a longtime member of Ritch Missionary Baptist Church, he lived his faith by being generous, loving and kind to his family, friends and neighbors. He was always willing to lend a helping hand anytime, to anyone in need. He gave great advice but only when someone asked or when he just knew someone really needed it, his family said.
In his spare time, he enjoyed reading and watching Westerns, and he was never seen without his trademark chewing tobacco. He also loved watching the University of Georgia Bulldogs, Falcons and Braves play.
He hated snakes but loved fishing, camping and trips to Brunswick for seafood. He also loved cornbread and milk, hot peppers, and sweet pickles. His pimento cheese was second to none and a family favorite, his family said.
More than anything else , he enjoyed spending time with people he cared about. He loved big, and in return he was loved the same way.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Denison; sister, Carolyn Barton; and two nephews, Jason Roberson and Hoss Pittman.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Faye Daniels Denison of Screven; four children, Amy (Richie) Tuten of Colonel’s Island, Janet (Brian) Sass of Fortson, Leslie (Beverly) Burch of Baxley and Pamela Dyer of Jacksonville, Florida; three sisters, Betty (George) Cunningham of Savannah, Pearl Harden of Screven and Marilyn Wise of Screven; grandchildren, Heather Burch, Frankie (Mindy) Ruiz, Ashley (Max) Stieve, Mia (Noah) Spry, Haley Faye Dyer and Kendra Hilton; great-grandchildren, Abigail Bailey, Beckham Ruiz, Jaxson and Addy Kate Ellis, Camden, Charlee May and Johnnie Ruth Cravey, Baylor Stieve, Keller Spry, and Kinsley Wheeler; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Graveside funeral services were held Feb. 28 at Ritch Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Matt Denison officiating.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jeff Lonnie Westberry
Jesup—Jeff Lonnie Westberry, 68, affectionately known by some as “Jeffro or Jethro,” died peacefully on Feb. 28, 202, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy battle with cancer.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born on Jan. 31, 1958, in Jesup to the late Leion James Westberry and Georgia Ann Turner Westberry. He attended Wayne County public school system and graduated from the Wayne County High School in 1977. Shortly after graduation, he began working at Jack’s Saw Shop (which later became Sapp’s Saw Shop), beginning a career that would span nearly 50 years in the small-engine repair business. His entrepreneurial spirit led him into business for himself, and he opened J&C Small Engines for several years before opening Jesup Mower Shop in 2007, where he worked until his death.
When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing, but he loved hunting. Dove hunting was his favorite, followed closely by deer hunting. He was an expert marksman and had shot bows competitively in his younger days. He also enjoyed collecting guns and was known to win a bet or two with his shooting expertise.
He was a longtime member of O’Quinn Baptist Church, and he always enjoyed spending time with the ones he loved most. He was honest and loyal, hardworking and loving. He will be remembered fondly by those who grieve his loss and missed by all who knew and loved him, his family said.
In addition to his parents, his brother, J.L. Westberry and his sister, Ann Westberry Manning, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Cheryl Thrift Westberry; three children, Jeff Jr. “Bubba,” and wife Kylie, Victoria “Tori,” and Leroy, “Lil Bubba,” all of Screven; siblings, Larry (Darlene) Westberry and Susie (Bobby) Daniels all of Gardi; a longtime friend who was more like a son, Justin “Jim” Krauss; a granddaughter on the way Eloise Marie “Ellie” Westberry; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members. Funeral services were held March 4 Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Gerald Greenlee and the Rev. Dale Bange officiating. Interment was private. Honorary pallbearers were his crew—Jeff “Bubba” Westberry Jr., Leroy “Little Bubba” Westberry, Travis and Brandon Westberry, Jim Krauss, Mike Westberry, Trenton and Mason Westberry, Tom Kinchen, Nathan Scarborough and George “Tinker” Poppell.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Deborah Ann Boatright Wheelis
Jesup—Deborah Ann Boatright Wheelis, 71, died peacefully on March 2, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, she was born on March 3, 1954, to the late R.O. Boatright and Anne Burch Boatright. In her younger years, she worked in tobacco and helped out around the farm while attending school. She worked for the Wayne County school system in the school nutrition program for more than 25 years before her retirement in 2014.
She was always a giver, and she loved taking care of other people, her family said. Her family was the love of her life, and she enjoyed spending time with the ones she loved more than anything else.
She was a longtime member of Ritch Baptist Church, and she always practiced her faith by giving to others and placing their needs before her own, especially when it came to her grandchildren. Although she was loving and kind, she was honest and sometimes a little feisty, her family added. She had a smile that could light up a room, and she always loved with her whole heart.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Donnie Wheelis; children, Johnny (Missy) Wheelis of Odum, Buffie (Vincent) Morales of Screven and Jody Wheelis of Screven; grandchildren, Kassi (Dawson) Odom, Kaylee (Rylee) White, Kensley (Micah) Copeland, Rileigh Morales, Kylie Wheelis and Kasey Morales; one great-grandson, Rhett Cherokee Odom, and another great grandbaby on the way; four siblings, Cheryl (Jack) Holland of Screven, Teresa Boatright of Screven, Daryl Boatright of Screven, and Barry (Judy) Boatright of Blackshear; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Calvin Anderson and the Rev. Brian Gill officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Ritch Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Clay Brewton, Tyler Brewton, Jacob Nolan, Rylee White, Dawson Odom and Micah Copeland.
Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Hospice of South Georgia.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.