• Howard & Jones
Dianne Horton
Jesup—It is with much sadness the family announces the passing of Dianne Horton, 72, owing to her long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis.
She died peacefully under the care of Hospice of South Georgia at her mother’s home surrounded by loving family and Betty Campbell, a beloved caregiver for more than 20 years.
She was an “amazing” daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, savvy business owner, loyal friend and boss. She opened her heart and home to everyone whom God sent her way, always looking after her neighbors’ children, her caregivers’ children and wayward strangers, inspiring them to see their self-worth and their opportunity for a better chance at life. Through the countless people she’s touched, her legacy will be far-reaching.
After high school, she was off to Atlanta to work for the late Sen. Roscoe Dean at the Georgia State Capitol. This began her love of politics. In 1974 she was on the staff for Mary Hitt’s close election for governor against Zell Miller. She was a staff member, campaigning all over the state. “Can you imagine what fun that was for her?” her family said. She loved working on the “Peanut Brigade” for Jimmy Carter’s successful run for president. She made many political connections campaigning, which contributed to her success at VIP.
She started VIP Office Furniture and Supply in Hinesville in 1975. Her vision and wisdom guided her to great success in an industry that was not always welcoming to women in earlier days. In 2025 VIP will celebrate a 50-year success story, thanks to Dianne’s passion and determination to keep VIP moving forward, always planning for tomorrow. She touched countless lives through the years, giving many teenagers their first job working for her at VIP.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie Wilson “Buddy” Green Jr.; her father, Homer S. Horton Jr.; and her brother, Homer S. “Chip” Horton III.
Survivors include her mother, Inez Barwick; two sisters, Vicki V. Horton and Joy (David) Gall; two sons, Andrew “Andy” Green and Brett (Mandy) Green; a granddaughter, Sofia Green; and extended-family members.
“Also left to celebrate the amazing woman we all knew and loved are countless friends whose lives are better for having known her,” her family said.
A memorial service will be held today (Thursday) at 3 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances are requested to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA, 31545.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
William Guy Kirby
Jesup—William Guy Kirby, 91, died peacefully on Sept. 14, 2024, at home under the care of GHC Hospice surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy illness.
A resident of Jesup for the past 20 years and former resident of Seneca, South Carolina, for 70 years, he was born on Jan. 15, 1933, in Seneca to the late Joe Shelor Kirby and Ruby Cornelia Black Kirby. He served his country in the United States Navy for several years aboard the USS Point Cruz before returning home to South Carolina to begin a career as a mechanic with Excelsior Finishing Plant in Pendleton, South Carolina, where he worked faithfully over the next 34 years until his retirement.
He was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Seneca, and he enjoyed collecting guns and coins, training dogs, gardening, and canning vegetables in his spare time.
He was known to be tough and strong-willed and has been quoted as saying, “If you’re gonna get old, you better be tough.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Mattie Sue Buff Kirby; a son, Richard Scott Kirby; brothers, David and Jimmy Kirby; sisters, Barbara Kendrick and Lois McKinney; and a son-in-law, Michael Head.
Survivors include his daughter, Vicki Head of Jesup; a brother, Ronnie Kirby, of Seneca; a sister, Gail Kirby of Seneca; grandchildren, Ethan Micha Head and Harley Elizabeth Head both of Jesup and Emerald (Eric) Hickmon of Kingsland; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
A memorial service was held Sept. 17 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Chaplain Ryan Wilson officiating.
The family expresses its appreciation to the staff of First Light and GHC Hospice for the extra special love and care given 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.
Randy Bullock
Jesup—Randy Bullock, 71, of Jesup died Sept. 17, 2024, peacefully with his family and caregivers “at home” in the Jolly House of Hospice of the Golden Isles.
His miraculous battle with cancer is a testimony, and he gave a great fight, his family said. He was loved by all his caregivers as they became family and loved him on his journey.
He was born Jan. 31, 1953, in Thomasville. He spent his formative years between Cairo and Jesup, eventually moving from Jesup to Albany in 1965. After graduation from Albany High School in 1971, he began his career, working in a variety of different occupations including the grocery business, the car business, the furniture business and also in security for the Emerald Princess Casino Cruise.
He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed talking about sports on many levels. He coached recreation baseball in Wayne County for many years, and he truly loved retelling old stories of basketball games and swim meets. He took time to attend competitive sporting events for his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and he was always up for a fun night of cards with friends.
In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, and he was always an avid University of Georgia Bulldog and Atlanta Braves fan.
He enjoyed Southern rock music and was known to charm his nurses and caregivers when he played his “oldies but goodies” on the radio. He had a heart to love people, and he always practiced the teachings of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as he faithfully attended Jesup Church of God.
Survivors include his daughter, Shauna (Cameron) Mattingly of Jesup, and their children, Emree and L.C.; a son, Brandon Bullock and his fiancée, Caitlin, and their daughter, Josephine, of Waynesville; his mother, Shirley Pollock, and her late husband, Jack; sisters, Sylvia (Neal) Hager and Debbie (Donnie) Mitchell; brothers, Darwin (Deanne) Bullock and Allen (Susie) Bullock; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended -amily members.
Memorial services will be held Friday, Sept. 20, at 11:30 a.m. at Jesup Church of God with Pastor Scott Hatten and the Rev. Terry Sellars officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service at the church.
Honorary pallbearers will be the staff members of Hospice of the Golden Isles and also the staff of St. Joseph’s Candler Wayne Memorial Oncology Infusion Center, as well as any other hospital nurses from his journey.
Interment will be held at the Ochlocknee City Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
John Carrol
Brewton Jr.
Soperton—John Carrol Brewton Jr., 65, of Soperton died Sept. 14, 2024.
He was born and raised in Jesup. He was a 1977 graduate of Wayne County High School, where he was a star football player. He attended Middle Georgia College and was a graduate of Southern Polytechnic State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He worked as an engineer and plant manager with Oxford Industries and later was an industrial consultant with Georgia Quickstart.
He was a member of First Baptist Church Soperton where he had faithfully served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, building committee member, pastor search committee member, Adult Men’s Sunday School Class member, and member of the Adult Choir.
His past services include chairman of the Treutlen County Development Authority, president of the Treutlen County Sportsman Club and a hunter safety instructor.
He was a Gideon and was instrumental in establishing a chapter in Treutlen County.
Most recently, he was serving on the Home Owners Association Board of Directors at Sinclair Pointe, St. Simons Island.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leon Bland, Claudine Bland, Flossie Brewton Durrence and Harry Brewton. He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law, Alton Powell.
He was a faithful follower of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his ultimate priority in life was to share this faith with each and every person that he met, his family said. He reflected the love of Jesus daily through his compassionate, joyful and positive personality.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Carol Sue Powell Brewton of Soperton; his daughter, Susannah (Weston) Robison of Vidalia; his son, John Christopher Brewton of St. Simons Island; his granddaughter, Lillie Claire Robison of Vidalia; his parents, John Carrol Brewton Sr. and Maridean Bland Brewton of Jesup; his mother-in-law, Lillie Odom Powell of Soperton; his siblings, Rosemary Brewton (Mike) Jones of Metter, Glenn (Chris) Brewton of Screven and Clay (Angie) Brewton of Screven; an uncle, Joe Brewton of Glennville; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Sept. 17 at First Baptist Church Soperton with pastor Mark Sweat and pastor Chad Cofield officiating. Burial followed in Westview Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Steven Powell, Eddie Hall, Allen McDonald, Charlie Robison, George McLendon, Dale Pace, Wayne Hooks, David Roberts, Grover Lyles, Jeremy Beall, John Mark Sweat, Blake Dennard and Tommy Corbin.
Flowers will be accepted, but those desiring may make memorial contributions to Gideons International at PO Box 365, Swainsboro, GA 30401 or First Baptist Church Soperton at P.O. Box 25, Soperton, GA 30457.
An online guestbook may be signed at sammonsfuneralhome.com.
Sammons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.