• Rinehart & Sons
Deana B. Padgett
Jesup—Deana B. Padgett, 72, of Jesup died Oct. 9, 2024.
The Wayne County native was a member of Old Bethel Baptist church. She was a retired associate with Walmart, Food Lion, Kroger, Harveys and M&M and also worked for the Manhattan Shirt Factor, Ashley Manufacturing and the Bon-Aire.
She loved to travel to Pigeon Forge and loved the Smokey Mountains.
She was predeceased by her husband, J.D. Padgett; a sister, Velma Edge; and a brother, Billy Beverly.
Survivors include two sons, Chris (Candice) Needham of Jesup and Kevin (Lisa) Needham of Jesup; a sister, Shirley (Mikey) Moore of Brunswick; a brother, Warren (Frances) Beverly of Odum; five grandchildren, Steven, Ashlyn, Tiffany, Cheyann and Jackson; two great-grandchildren, Addison and Kasen; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held Oct. 11 at the Old Bethel Cemetery with the Rev. Mark Ledbetter officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sara Nell Hurst Reynolds
Jesup—Sara Nell Hurst Reynolds, 90, of Jesup died Oct. 9, 2024 under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was a member of Altamaha Baptist Church and a longtime retiree with Rayonier. She enjoyed retirement and held many positions at her church, where she was former treasurer, Sunday school teacher and organist and served anywhere she was needed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold “Jimmy” Reynolds; her mother, Connie Hogan; and an aunt, Minnie Copeland.
Survivors include two sons, Tony (Gail) Stephens of Jesup and Joe Stephens Jr. of Odum; five grandchildren, Toni Lynn Holland, Brittaney (Jay) Feuntes, Jarred Stephens, Sasha Theus and Summer (Jereme) Kennedy; 13 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Oct. 11 at Altamaha Baptist Church with Pastor Bob Richardson officiating. Interment followed in the Altamaha Cemetery. Active pallbearers were the Altamaha Baptist Church men.
Memorials may be made to Altamaha Baptist Church, 6622 Oglethorpe Road, Jesup, GA 31545 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Charles Binkley
Jesup—Charles “Bubba” Binkley, 72, of Jesup died on Oct. 13, 2024.
The Nashville, Tennessee, native had lived in Wayne County the past two years and was of the Church of Christ faith. He was a former employee with Ford Motor Glass Company in Nashville.
He loved to work on vehicles and tinker with radios and VCRs.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Diane Vessell, Angie Parker and Holli Mitchell.
Survivors include two daughters, Jackie (Tim) Thornton and Jaime Binkley, both of Jesup; a son, Garth Binkley of Jesup; nine grandchildren, Jenna Lewis, Charles Crews, James Riendeau, Tyler Thornton, Cassidy, Emily, Austin and Christopher Binkley and Tanner Richards; numerous great-grandchildren; a sister, Connie Haley of Nashville,; several nieces and nephews, Justin and Amon Binkley, Travis and Jessica Haley, Dutch Parker, Casey Koonce and Ashanti Mitchell; and several great-nieces and geat-nephews.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 5 p.m. at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Elliott Aspinwall officiating. Private interment will follow.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Jack Donald Stephens
Odum—Jack Donald Stephens, 89, died peacefully on Oct. 14, 2024, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia surrounded by his loving family.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born on April 4, 1935, to the late Jack W. and Mildred Strickland Stephens. He attended Odum High School, where he was highly involved in the athletic program. He lettered in basketball all four years, playing on the 1954 state championship basketball team. He also won district in the high jump.
After high school, he took a course on livestock care. He was a lifelong farmer who had worked with Waynline Furniture Factory, the Wayne County Forestry Unit and for 18 years at Rayonier before giving up his “other” jobs to pursue his true passion—farming. He won many awards throughout his lifetime, including several high-yield corn and soybean awards.
He truly loved animals and was also a livestock producer and cattleman for more than 40 years, winning awards for the high-quality livestock he produced. He believed in hard work, and he always strived to take care of his family. He also believed in caring for the soil in all his farming operations, and he was the proud owner of the very first air conditioned tractor in Wayne County. He truly loved driving tractors but his bulldozer was always his favorite. In his later years, he did custom farming for others, and he always enjoyed going to livestock sales in his spare time.
He was a member of Odum Baptist Church, where he attended the Doug Daniel Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers, the Federation of Independent Businesses, Wayne County Young Farmers and the Wayne County Farm Bureau. He was inducted into the Odum Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989 and had also been named an FFA honorary chapter farmer. He contributed to many charities over the years, and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
In his later years, his favorite times were spent with the ones he loved the most, especially his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, Merle Stephens, Joseph Genell Stephens and James W. Stephens Jr.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years and high school sweetheart, Melba P. Stephens of Odum; three children, William C. “Dell” (Ronda) Stephens, Melanie (Derrell) Williamson and Michelle (Jonathan) Blocker all of Odum; one brother, Gene H. Stephens of Odum; four grandchildren, Dedra and Denise Stephens, Gerimi (Jenny) Palmer and Michael Williamson all of Odum; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Maisie Palmer, Stella (Braden) Morris, Saje Williamson, Dayla Godbee and Lanie Stephens; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held Oct. 16 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Rooster Manning officiating. Interment followed in Red Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Mike Perkins, James Perkins, Konnor Stephens, Josh Fenn, Michael Elliott and Mark Siegler. Honorary pallbearers will be David Carter, Bennett Whitfield, Tom Collins, David Thornton, Chico, Dwayne Anderson, Royal Westberry, Alex Jenkins, Robert Jenkins, Billy Miller, Tracy Thornton and his caregivers, Kathy Sapp, Jamie Bowen and Ronicea Reddish.
The family would like to express a special thanks to all the caregivers and hospice staff for the extra special loving care extended to him during his final days.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
Julie Ann le Roux
Marion, North
Carolina—Julie Ann le Roux, 33, of Marion, North Carolina, tragically passed away on Oct. 3, 2024, as a result of the devastating floods caused by Hurricane Helene.
She was born on May 8, 1991, in El Paso, Texas, to Alvin Henry le Roux and Jean Mary Kloeckl le Roux of Jesup.
From an early age, she exhibited a unique artistic talent, seeing beauty and light in everything around her. She channeled this vision into her art, creating pieces that reflected her deep appreciation for the world’s inherent beauty. Her art was more than just a hobby; it was a testament to her free spirit and her ability to find joy and wonder in the simplest of things.
She was much more than an artist. She was a wildflower, a free spirit who embraced life with an adventurous heart, according to her family. Whether exploring new places, trying new activities, or simply spending time with loved ones, she approached every experience with enthusiasm and a sense of wonder. Her adventurous spirit was matched only by her kindness and generosity, her faimly said. She was known for her compassionate nature and her ability to make those around her feel loved and valued.
Family was everything to her. She cherished the time spent with her loved ones and always prioritized their happiness and well-being. Her love for her family was evident in everything she did, and she was a constant source of support and encouragement for those she held dear.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Christiaan Henri le Roux and Jean E. le Roux; her maternal grandfather, Roger Kloeckl; and her future father-in-law, John Howard Norwood II.
She is survived by her loving fiancé, John Norwood III of Marion. The couple shared a deep bond and were eagerly looking forward to their future together. Other survivors include siblings, Andrea (Taylor) Yates of Franklin, North Carolina, Jennifer (Jared) West (Jared) of La Plata, Maryland, and Alvin (Kati) le Roux of Brunswick. She was the best “Aunt Lulie” to Jasmine, Sydney, Logan, Finn, Clara, Hank, Zayn, Millie, Hayes and Luke. She loved them dearly. More survivors include her future mother-in-law, Margaret Norwood of Pittsboro, North Carolina, and her future sister-in-law, Maggy Norwood of Apex, North Carolina, and her beloved feline companions, Lily and Ginger.
A celebration-of-life serivce will be announced at a later date, when friends and family will gather to honor her memory and celebrate the beautiful impact she had on their lives. Her legacy of love, kindness and artistic brilliance will continue to inspire all who knew her, the family said.