Samuel Dylan Hargrove
Jesup—Samuel “Dylan” Hargrove, 21, of Jesup died on Jan. 1, 2023 from injuries sustained from an automobile accident.
The North Carolina native had lived in Wayne County most of his life and was of the Baptist faith. The 2020 Wayne County High School graduate and four-year letterman in soccer had plans to pursue a criminal justice degree. For the last year he had battled leukemia, and he was in complete remission.
His favorite pastimes were hunting, soccer and fishing. Being the first grandchild, he was the “platinum child” because he was a great son, big brother and grandson, his family said.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Samuel Mitchell; great-grandfathers, Jesse Hargrove and George Brantley; and cousin and “buddy,” Christopher Mitchell.
Survivors include his parents, Michael Hargrove and Kelly Mitchell Hargrove both of Jesup; a sister, Autumn Hargrove; grandparents, Susan Mitchell, Debra (Greg) Coleman and Mike and Michelle Hargrove, all of Jesup; great-grandparents, Betty Hargrove and Erin Brantley, both of Jesup; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends; and two special friends, Chase Mitchell and Darren Malone.
Funeral services were held Jan. 4 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Brian Welch officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family and friends. Honorary pallbearers were his fellow soccer players.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dylan Hargrove Soccer Scholarship Fund, 70 Magnolia Blvd., Jesup, GA. 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Helen Luther Drawdy
Mount Pleasant—Helen Luther Drawdy, 80, died Dec. 26, 2022.
The Altoona, Pennsylvania, native had lived in Mount Pleasant since 1976. She was born to Rita Helen Porta and Blair Thomas Luther on Sept. 30, 1942.
She moved to Brunswick in 1970 and then to Wayne County. She was a bookkeeper most of her life, retiring in 2011 from Merritt and Sons Construction. She attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where she taught Sunday school (CCO) for more than 20 years and was a former member of Counsel of Catholic Women and also a member of the Third Order of Mary.
She served as a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post No. 4583. Square dancing and clogging were favorite pastimes. She had memberships in the Tidalwave Square Dancers and Cloggers and the Rainbow Express Cloggers. She loved to meet with her fellow scrapbookers and was a “Stampin’ Up” demonstrator.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfathers, Gerald Vincent Gonsman and John Gray Sipes; a sister, Gloria Gonsman Ware; and a brother, Thomas (Marlene) Blair Luther.
Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Rene Lavonne Drawdy of Mount Pleasant; a son, John Joseph “Big John” (Beth Thornton) Yonkosky of Jesup; daughters, Lynette Marie Yonkosky (David) Gallagher, Kathleen Drawdy Hodges and Janet Drawdy (Riki) Miller; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Rita (Don) Walls; brothers, William (Janet) Luther, Patrick (Karen) Gonsman, Robert (Patricia) Gonsman and Gerald Gonsman Jr.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Dec. 30 at Rinehart Chapel with Father Daniel Melaba officiating. Interment followed in Akin Memorial Cemetery in Mount Pleasant. Active pallbearers were her grandsons. Honorary pallbearers were her fellow members of the VFW Auxiliary and her scrapbooking club.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
David E. Long Jr.
Odum—David E. “Pop Pop” “Straw” Long Jr. 92, of Odum died Dec. 29, 2022.
The Oxford, North Carolina, native had lived in Wayne County since 1986 and was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in the Korean Conflict aboard the Carrier USS Rendova.
He was of the Baptist and Presbyterian faith. As a salesman, he used his fun-loving personality to sell home products up and down the Eastern coast before there was a Home Depot or Lowes. His favorite hobbies included gardening, professional square dancing, minor-league baseball and traveling.
His brother, Jason Long, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Meta Joyce Sutton Long of Odum; a daughter, Amy Long (Chad) Warren; two sons, David E. (Suzanne) Long III of Maryland and Mike (Jeannie) Long of Jesup; five grandchildren, Graham Long, Hannah Long, Chael (Devin) Long, Rachel Long and Chance Warren; and a great-granddaughter, Noa Long.
A celebration-of-life service will be held at a later date.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Carl Edward Yarbrough Jr.
Jesup—Carl Edward Yarbrough Jr., 85, of Jesup died Dec. 29, 2022.
The Nash-ville native had lived in Wayne County the past 47 years and was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. He was a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran and retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation. He was an avid golfer.
He was predeceased by a son, Michael Yarbrough; a daughter, Connie Salgado; and a granddaughter, Mary Salgado.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Mary Yarbrough of Jesup; a daughter, Cyndi Yarbrough of Jesup; a son, Mark (Tanya) Yarbrough of Odum; brothers, Jerry (Donna) Yarbrough of Dahlonega, and Jim (Gina) Yarbrough of St. Petersburg, Florida; grandchildren, Jason (Tori), Cary, Carlie, Morgan and Hannah; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Jan. 3 from Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Elder Thomas Waters and the Rev. Larry Tillman officiating. Interment followed in Jesup City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family and friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jacquelyn Elaine Black
Odum—Jacquelyn Elaine Black, 82, of Odum died Dec. 31, 2022, in Southern Pines Senior Living Center.
Born to the late Lamar and Dorothy Mims Wester on Aug. 31, 1940, in Savannah, she married the late Gene Myles Black on Sept. 7, 1958, in Odum. She was a devoted homemaker who divided her time between home and church.
As her children grew up, she worked for the U.S. Army’s Housing Referral Office, where she was known for her ever-cheerful personality and ever-present smile.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Myles Leslie Black and Teresa Coleman of Thomasville; daughters, Lisa Perkins of Evansville, Indiana, and Rebecca Johnson of Los Angeles, California; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gwen and John McCamish and Jan and Danny Webber; and a brother and sister-in-law, Darrell and Pam Wester.
Graveside funeral services will be held Saturday (Jan. 7) at 11 a.m. in Odum City Cemetery with the Rev. Daniel Webber officiating.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, 675 S. 3rd St., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Maxine Hart Prusinsky
Jesup--Maxine Hart Prusinsky, 78, of Jesup died Jan. 3, 2023, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Appling County native had lived most of her life in Wayne County and attended Liberty Lighthouse Baptist Church and Jesup First Freewill Primitive Baptist Church. The past 10 years she has been a media member of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
She was a hard worker as a produce farmer but occasionally she loved to travel.
She was preceded in death by her son, James Stroud; her parents, Major and Cora Hart; and her brother, Joe Hart.
Survivors include her husband of 13 years, Dennis Prusinsky of Jesup; two daughters, Miriam Bonita Stroud of Vidalia and Renee Dixon of Jesup; a son, Wesley Stroud of Gardi; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and five brothers, Hubert (Lydia), Donald (Willa Mae), Glynn (Cindy), Carroll (Dot) and Jerry (Peggy) Hart.
A celebration-of-life service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. John Crosby officiating. Interment will be private.
Visitation will be an hour prior to services at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia Building Fund, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Russell Gene Vinson
Waycross—Russell Gene Vinson, 80, of Waycross died on Dec. 28, 2022.
He was born to the late Russell Gaston Vinson and Maybelle Hendley Vinson. He attended Charlton County High School, where he was valedictorian of the 1960 senior class. He was also a leading player on the school’s basketball team.
He attended Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated in 1967 with a degree in civil engineering. He worked with the Georgia Department of Transportation as a right-of-way acquisition manager.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Anna Mary Barron.
Survivors include his son, Alex Vinson; a sister, Juanita Crews; nephews, Jesse (Joan) Crews and Wallace (Phyllis) Crews; nieces, Susan Whiddon and Karen (Jason) Johnson; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held Jan. 2, 2023 in Pineview Cemetery in Folkston.
Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
John Arvington Flowers
Odum—John Arvington Flowers, 92, died Dec. 30, 2022, at home under the care of his loving family and Affinis Hospice.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born on Sept. 25, 1930, to the late Sumpter Mann Flowers and Effie Leona Trowell Flowers Waldron. He graduated from Odum High School in 1947 and worked as a highway engineer for more than 30 years with the Georgia Department of Transportation. He was well-known for being called “my honey” by his wife of 68 years and for his strong work ethic, which was considered second to none. He was a loving father and faithful provider for his family. In addition to his duties with the DOT, he farmed on the side, working countless hours and raising crops of all kinds, including pecan trees, blueberries, soybeans, corn, tobacco and cotton.
He was a long-time member of Odum Baptist Church and was heavily involved in the Wayne County Young Farmers Association. He loved his community and gave back by serving on the Odum City Council for 18 years and served four years on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. He was even elected mayor of Odum but could not serve owing to a technicality with state law regarding his employment with the DOT.
He enjoyed coffee-shop visits and good jokes with his fellow Liars Club members and went fishing in his spare time. He could play music by ear and enjoyed playing gospel songs on the mandolin and the piano. He encouraged and mentored several friends by financially supporting their efforts to start local businesses.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Johnnie Withrow Flowers; a brother, Sumpter “Red” Flowers; stepbrothers, Douglas Crawford, Mickey Gignilliat and David Waldron; a stepsister, Sharon Waldron Myers; a son-in-law, Bryant Arrington; surrogate sons, Samuel “Sambo” Carr, Roger Carr and Ernest Carr; a surrogate daughter, Myrtle “Duck” Carr Ingram; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harold O. King, Mr. and Mrs. Basil King, Mr. and Mrs. Levon King, Ben King and Wanda Flowers.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Leola King Flowers of Odum; a daughter, Sherena Flowers Arrington of St. Simons Island; a brother, Rickey Flowers of Odum; stepsisters, Francis Rigdon of Odum, Margaret Gignilliat of Odum and Loann Waldron Lane of Jesup; a stepbrother, Donald Waldron of Screven; a sister-in-law, Betty King of Dallas, Texas; surrogate daughters, Lottie Carr Strachan of Miami, Florida and Sarah Louise Carr Savage of Tampa, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members, one of whom he also nurtured as a son, Shawn Flowers, of Odum.
Visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 8, at 2 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with a memorial service immediately following at 3 p.m. Retired pastor Dwain Harper and pastor Gerald Greenlee of O’Quinn Baptist will conduct the service. Those attending the memorial will also have an opportunity to share remembrances.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Liars Club. Private interment services will take place in Odum City Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com. Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Carolyn Harrison Price
Jesup—Carolyn Harrison Price, 87, died peacefully on Jan. 1, 2023, at Mossy Oak Assisted Living under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
A lifelong resident of Wayne County, she was born on Dec. 30, 1935, in Appling County to the late Charles H. and Lula Fennell Harrison. She was a longtime member of Spring Grove Freewill Baptist Church and was also a member of the Ben Gibbs Chapter No. 299 of the Order of the Eastern Star.
A homemaker for most of her life, she loved music and attended bluegrass festivals as often as she was able. She also enjoyed playing cards, cooking and baking.
In addition to her parents and her brothers and sisters, she was preceded in death by her children, Donna Plunkett, Monna Reddish, Randy Mathis and Judy Dowdy; a granddaughter, Crystal Dowdy; and a great-granddaughter, Ivory Flowers.
Survivors include her grandchildren, Larry Roberson (Ruth Ann) of Statesboro, Tonya Herrin (Kevin) of K’ville, Tammy Sapp (Fulton Flowers) of Jesup, Gary Plunkett of Hinesville, Will Sapp of Jesup, Emily Dowdy of Jesup, Elizabeth Holden of Texas, C.J. Moore of Jesup, Brigitte Hill of Fernandina Beach, Florida, and Phillip Price (Kayla) of Screven. A host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members also survive.
A memorial service was held Jan. 4 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Micheal Altman officiating.
Private interment services were held in Spring Grove Cemetery.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Charles Edmond Wright Jr.
Jesup—Charles Edmond Wright Jr., 55, died suddenly Dec. 27, 2022 at Memorial Health University in Savannah.
A resident of Jesup for more than 10 years, he was born on Nov. 14, 1967, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to the late Charles Edmond Wright Sr. and Sylvia Long Wright.
He spent his early years in Elizabeth City before serving his country in the United States Army for more than 20 years as a mechanic, eventually attaining the rank of staff sergeant before retirement. He was stationed in several different military installations during his career, both stateside and abroad, including military bases in Korea, Germany, Oklahoma and Georgia.
After his retirement, he was involved with the American Legion, the VFW and the Boy Scouts in Jesup. He enjoyed spending time with the ones he loved and playing video games in his spare time.
Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Terry Ann Wright of Jesup; two sons, Charles Edmond Wright III “Trey” and Samuel Wright, both of Jesup; two brothers, Timothy Wright and Eric (Lisa) Wright, all of Elizabeth City; a mother-in-law, Connie Bocks of Eufaula, Alabama; and a host of extended-family members.
A memorial was held Dec. 30 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Steve Willie McKnight Jr.
Homerville—Steve Willie McKnight Jr. died Dec. 19, 2022, at Pruitt Crestwood Nursing Home in Valdosta.
He was born May 28, 1943, in Jesup to Steve Willie McKnight Sr. and Louise Ogden McKnight Strickland. He attended the public schools of Wayne County. After moving to Homerville, he was raised by his grandparents—the late George and Mamie Bennett.
He dedicated his labor to Langdale Lumber Yard for many years. He hauled lumber for Pearson and Son, Waycross and Conner Trucking, Homerville. He logged in thousands of miles as a CDL truck driver making friends with all he met. He became permanently disabled after a logging truck accident in 2001. He earned the nickname “Clutch” by those who knew and loved his gentle, sweet caring spirit.
He was someone to lean on in times of need or trouble. He shared his last dollar as a “cheerful giver.”
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Elouise Strickland, Dorothy Cobb, Mary Strickland, Sarah Weatherspoon and Ida Mae Rawls; brothers, Alfonso McKnight, James McKnight, Herbert Smith and Jessie Strickland; and grandsons, Curtis Johnson and Clay Cross.
Survivors include daughters, Sabra Wright of Jesup, Dr. Ronda (Lindsay) Scott of Valdosta, and Tennille (Leroy) Moss of Montgomery, Alabama; a devoted son/caregiver, Reggie (Lakisha) Edmond of Homerville; sons and a daughter he raised, Michael (Valentine) Edmond, Ronnie (Heavenly) Edmond, and Nina Edmond Burkes, all of Homerville; sisters, Delois Gordon of Waycross; brothers, Joe Nathan McKnight of Orlando, Florida, and Daryl Strickland of Waycross; a brother-in-law, Willie Weatherspoon; sisters-in-law, JoAnn Strickland and Rosa McKnight; 14 grandchildren; friends, Charlie Mae Bolden Cross and JoAnn Ratliff; compassionate caregivers at Pruitt Crestwood Nursing Home and Pruitt Health Hospice; special friends, Cathy Webb and Cindy Corbitt at Clinch Banking; and a host of sorrowing friends.
Funeral services were held Dec. 23 at St. Paul Baptist Church, Homerville. Minister Dennis Scott, formerly of Jesup, served as worship leader with Minister Jaylen Thomas, eulogist/pastor of the church. The burial followed at Pine Forest Cemetery.
Fluker Funeral Home was in charge of services.