Laurie Jean Butsch
Jesup—Laurie Jean Butsch, 54, died peacefully on Nov. 11, 2023, at Landmark Hospital in Savannah after a lengthy illness.
A resident of Jesup for the past eight years and former resident of Texas and Indiana, she was born on Nov. 12, 1968, in Niskayuna, New York. She spent her early years there and moved around quite frequently before settling in Jesup.
She loved gardening. She had a green thumb and created the most beautiful gardens everywhere she lived. There was always a special place in her heart for her canine companions, and she enjoyed the time she spent with the ones she loved.
Her father, Anthony John LaHart, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her daughter, Ashley (Dustin) Cox of Jesup; her mother, Mary Jane Robinson of Jesup; three sisters, Sharon (Ray) Hasty of Jacksonville, Florida, Toni Callahan of Canastota, New York, and Bonnie Mitchell of Clifton Park, New York; two grandchildren, Tanner and Remington Cox; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 19) at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup.
Services will be private.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bobby Franklin Williford
Jesup—Bobby Franklin Williford, 86, died peacefully on Nov. 12, 2023, at Harborview Health and Rehabilitation in Jesup.
He was born on Jan. 12, 1937, in Oak Park to the late Rufus and Annie Mae Lumley Williford. After graduation from Oak Park High School, he relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where he lived for 18 years working in the printing industry. After that he moved back to Georgia, this time to Jesup, following the printing trade, where he worked until retirement at the age of 62.
Not one to sit around, he quickly found another job after retirement working as a maintenance supervisor at Harborview Health and Rehabilitation, where he also served as chaplain for many years. He also served on the Chaplain’s Board at the Wayne Memorial Hospital and was a longtime member of Crossroads Church of God.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wives, Mary Peebles Williford and Jackie Thornton Williford; his siblings R.L. Williford, Otis Williford, Ottis Williford, Geneva Williford Waters, Ruth Williford Hall, Aubrey Williford, Rudolph Williford, Donald Williford and Margrette Williford; and an infant sister, Carolyn Williford.
Survivors include his son, Mark Williford of Augusta; a brother, Ray (Faye) Williford of Jacksonville, Florida; a stepson, Jonathan (Kelly) Hiers of Forsyth; a stepdaughter, Jessica (Kevin) Freeman of Luverne, Alabama; a brother-in-law, Ralph (Diane) Thornton of Hoboken; grandchildren, Tyler (Taylor) Hiers, Brenley Hiers, Blossom Hiers, Desiree (Cory) Bryant, Keagan Phillips, Seryna Phillips, Kevin Freeman and Kylem Freeman; great-grandchildren, Kari, Luna Blisselyn, Ryles and Hadley; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 6 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Pastor Brandon Stone officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Interment will be private.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Carolyn Gordon Solomon
Jesup—Carolyn Gordon Solomon, 78, of Jesup died Nov. 11, 2023, under the care of Georgia Hospice Care.
The Wayne County native was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class. She was very family-oriented. She loved taking care of her husband, rearing her daughters and doting on her grandchildren. Riding the country roads was a favorite pastime.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Jeryll Solomon; her parents, Jimmie and Carrie Gordon; and two brothers, Buddy and James Gordon Jr.
Survivors include her two daughters, Lisa (J.J.) McDaniel of Acworth and Sharon (Harris) Melvin of Dudley; grandchildren, Holly Melvin (Quez) Hood, Sarah and Hannah McDaniel; a great-grandson, Noah Melvin; a twin sister, Marilyn (Dewaine) Rogers of Jesup; a special niece, Gwen Harper; and several other relatives.
Funeral services were held Nov. 14 at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Pete Boyd and the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family and friends. Honorary pallbearers were members of her Sunday school class, Harold Aldridge and Donnie Howard, and the staff of Georgia Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 9, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lynn Walkington Bennett
Palm Bay, Florida—Lynn Walkington Bennett, 66, died peacefully on Oct. 31, 2023.
She was born on Aug. 20, 1957, in Seattle, Washington, the daughter of William and Martha (Feiler) Walkington, both deceased. She grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from East High School. She moved to Florida in her 20s (not being a fan of cold weather) and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida.
She enjoyed her job as a librarian at the Melbourne Library, especially doing programs for children. On Aug. 17, 1985, she married Clayton Bennett. They had one son, Brian, who gave her two beautiful grandchildren, William and Leia. They were the joy of her life, and she loved them dearly.
She went on many cruises as well as land trips and enjoyed the family road trips to visit her Grandma Walkington in Idaho. She enjoyed exploring the many places of interest she visited. She even went to England to look up her Walkington kin and was able to visit with them.
She was very generous with her time and did a lot of volunteering, especially working in the Hurricane Evacuation Shelters. She was active in supporting the National Guard families during Desert Storm and Operation Iraq Freedom. She also did volunteer work for the library.
She was a loving, caring wife, mother, daughter and sister.
Survivors include her husband of 38 years, Clayton; her son, Brian (Alicia) of Blythewood, South Carolina; her grandchildren, William and Leia; her stepmother, Patricia Walkington of McFarland, Wisconsin; her brothers, Michael of McFarland and David (Sandy) Walkington of Dallas, Texas; nieces, Melody of McFarland, Wisconsin and Angela of Dallas, Texas; and her aunts, Katherine (Bob) Wise of Merritt Island, Florida, and Sheila Voss of Madison, Wisconsin.
A celebration-of-life service was held Nov. 11 at Central Baptist Church in Melbourne, Florida. The graveside/burial was held Nov. 13 at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army.