Marvin Mendes DeLoach
Ludowici—Marvin Mendes DeLoach, 75, died Sept. 29, 2023, under the care of his family and GHC Hospice.
A native and lifelong resident of Long County, he retired from Rayonier after 37 years of service. He previously served on the Long County Board of Education and the Long County Industrial Development Authority and was a former director of the Altamaha Federal Credit Union.
He was a supporter of the American Heart Association, earning the Heart Association Meritorious Award. He, along with others, was responsible for helping in the development and placement of the Long County Veteran’s Memorial Wall at Friendship Park in Ludowici.
An outdoorsman, he was a former softball and baseball coach for many years, an avid hunter and fisherman, and a “diehard” grandfather, following his grandchildren wherever they went.
He was a member of Jones Creek Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence DeLoach and Valma Gordon, and a brother, Jimmie DeLoach.
Survivors include his wife, Loretta Morris DeLoach of Ludowici; daughters and sons-in-law, Daphne Zeigler and Tony of Townsend and Sherry Lester and Kelly of Ludowici; grandchildren, Brooke (Stephen) Amason, Dylan Lester and Dalton Lester; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clifton (Linda) DeLoach of Ludowici, Clinton (Nancy) DeLoach of Ludowici, and Donnie (Shelia) DeLoach of Eastman; and several nieces, nephews and numerous cousins.
Celebration-of-life and remembrance services were held Oct. 2 at Jones Creek Baptist Church. Burial followed in Baggs Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Randall DeLoach, Bobby Parker, Nicky Wells, Ronnie Theus, Randy Wilson, and Johnny Gordon.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici.
Anthony Michael Lee
Screven—Anthony Michael Lee, 70, of Screven died Sept. 28, 2023, at his home under the care of Georgia Hospice Care.
He was born on Jan. 28, 1953, in Jesup to Virgil and Alberta Lee and grew up in Screven, graduating from Wayne County High School in 1971. After high school, he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. He drove a semi-truck in the ’70s and ’80s and traveled all over the country. He had a passion for truck pulls, where he had his own truck and pulled for several years. He also owned a trucking business and hauled Carolina Skiff boats over a lot of the United States. He had many adventures on the road. In addition to driving, he was also a farmer and enjoyed working with cattle. He also worked as a car salesman for many years.
According to his family, he created cherished memories with his children and grandchildren that will forever warm their hearts. He loved them with his whole heart. His guidance, care and unconditional love were a source of strength and comfort for his children and grandchildren, his family said. He encouraged their dreams, listened to their stories, and shared in their joys and sorrows, creating a bond that transcends generations. His greatest enjoyment in life was being outdoors, grilling for his family and reading. He was a pillar of strength and guidance in his family’s lives, always there to offer his support and wisdom. His legacy is a testament to the power of love and family, his family said. He proved that family is not defined by blood, but by the love, care, and devotion we give to one another.
He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Virgil and Alberta Lee (who, his family said, provided him with the foundation of love and values that shaped his life), his brothers, Vergil Lee Jr., and Ronnie E. Lee; and a sister, Eleen Lee Deal.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Debra Lee of Screven; his children, Aaron (Britni) Mancil and Jessica (Gary) Priest; grandchildren, Kaden Priest, Konner Priest, Kaysn Lee, Waylon Mancil, Aralyn Mancil; and many other family members and friends.
Funeral services were held Sept. 30 at Rinehart Chapel with Preacher Donnie Mullis officiating. Interment will follow in the Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were James Vann, Caleb Tyre, Kenny and Kendall Lamb, Larry and Barry Barnes, Derek Landon and Jacob Nolan. Honorary pallbearers were Darrell Wasdin, Kenneth Tyre, Eddie Anderson, Buddy Roberson, Mike Gordon, Robert Boyette, Danny Sowell, Bossy Hall, Ronnie Mullis and Ward Harvey.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was is in charge of arrangements.
Harold “Jimmie” Reynolds
Jesup—Harold “Jimmie” Reynolds, 82, died Sept. 27, 2023, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia. The Battery Park, Virginia, native was a member of Altamaha Baptist Church and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class as well as the building and grounds committee. He was a retired project superintendent with Newport News Industrial. He loved to play golf, fish and watch the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
He was predeceased by his parents, James Harold and Malinda Bloxom Reynolds.
Survivors included his wife of 32 years, Sara Nell Hurst Reynolds of Jesup; a daughter, Catherine Reynolds Hurd of Connecticut; two sisters, Linda (Ray) Reynolds Thornton of Mechanicsville, Virginia and Brenda Reynolds of Battery Park; a brother, Robert B. Reynolds of Battery Park; stepchildren, Paul (Gail) and Joseph Stephens; many loving and caring grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special caregivers, Kendra McCray and Vinda Cannon.
Funeral services were held Sept. 30 at Altamaha Baptist Church with Pastor Bob Richardson officiating. Interment will follow in the Altamaha Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Gary Surrency, Clay Kicklighter, Danny Carter, Tony Smith, Ray Moore, Greg Grantham and Jerry Rogers. Honorary pallbearers were Tommy Dent, Dennis Dunham, Ryan Wilson, Golden Rulers Sunday School Class and Ben Cason.
Memorials may be made to Altamaha Baptist Church, 6622 Oglethorpe Road, Jesup, GA 31545 or to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was is in charge of arrangements.
Nancy McDonald Thomas
Odum—Nancy McDonald Thomas, 87, of Odum died Sept. 30, 2023.
She was born on Dec. 6, 1935, to Zelma and Kelcy McDonald in Columbus.
Following Kelcy’s death during World War II, Zelma moved Nancy and her sister, Pat, to Wayne County to be closer to family in the Oglethorpe Community. It was during this time that Zelma met and married Foster Anderson, and they reared the sisters on O’Quinn Loop in Odum. Nancy graduated from Jesup High School in 1953, where she was captain of the cheerleading team and a member of the award-winning Glee Club. She was voted “Best Looking” and “Best All-Around” in the Senior Superlatives.
She then married Glenn Thomas Jr. and attended Georgia Teacher’s College (now Georgia Southern University) until she decided to become a full-time homemaker to their four children, who were all reared in Jesup.
Following the birth of her fourth child, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She commuted to Brunswick Junior College and obtained her associate’s degree of nursing degree in 1971, graduating as salutatorian. Though she enjoyed nursing, her children were her first love and priority. She was their rock, mentor and inspiration.
During her formidable years in Jesup, she was an avid bridge player, playing in numerous bridge clubs with her cherished friends. She and Anne Donaldson took it to another level by traveling the Southeast for duplicate bridge tournaments. She shared her love of card playing with her children and grandchildren.
She also loved her time with the Women’s Golf Association at the Pine Forest Country Club. She served as past president of the Jesup Jaycettes and as an officer of the Jesup Shrine Club Auxiliary. In 2008 she married her 1953 classmate, Vance Duncan, and they spent their sunset years back on her home place on O’Quinn Loop. There, they enjoyed the peacefulness of the country while managing her pine tree farm. They were passionate about the Atlanta Braves and the University of Georgia Bulldogs. They looked forward to their evening sunset golf cart rides often while singing at the top of their lungs. They worshipped at Friendship Baptist Church, and she loved the Lord and was a faithful servant. She couldn’t sing a hymn or say a prayer without tearing up. You rarely saw her without a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. Her effervescent personality was her hallmark.
Her husband, Vance, preceded her in death along with her parents, Zelma and Foster Anderson; a sister, Pat Faulk; and her beloved first born, Bo Thomas.
Survivors include her son, Jay (Susan) Thomas of Marietta; daughters, Terri (Robert) Aitkens of Atlanta and Charlotte (David) Hoover of Crawfordville, Florida; a daughter-in-love, Patsy Thomas of Jesup; eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Oct. 3 at Friendship Baptist Church with Pastor Kevin Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
The family would like to thank all of the caring employees at the At Home Senior Living, especially her close friend, Yolanda Clinton, along with the ICU nurse, Jeffrey Griffis, for his special care and cheery disposition during her final days.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.