Don Beasley
Jesup—Don Beasley, 78, of Jesup died Feb. 6, 2024, in Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient Unit.
The Wayne County native was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in the Vietnam War. He was of the Baptist Faith. He retired from Riceboro Paper Mill and enjoyed working with his hands, such as repairing old cars and building model cars. He was an avid NASCAR fan and loved to fish.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Becky Beasley; a sister, Dene Noland; and a brother, Darrel Beasley.
Survivors include three daughters, Danna (Gary) VanDeventer of Ark City, Kansas, Robin Smith of Jesup and Katie (Brooks) Mallard of Odum; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, David (Sandra) Beasley and Dorman (Brenda) Beasley, both of Jesup; and several nieces and nephews.
Private interment will be held in the Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Walter Oliver “Ollie” Lindell
Jesup—Walter Oliver “Ollie” Lindell died peacefully on Feb. 6, 2024.
He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He retired as the assistant district engineer and District 5 traffic operations engineer of the Georgia Department of Transportation after 34 years. Also known as “The Sauce Boss,” he was the head of Lindell and Company, makers of Miss Ann and Ollie’s Barbecue Sauce.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne, and his parents, Walter and Louise Lindell.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57-and-a- half years, Ann McCoy Lindell of Jesup; daughters, Michelle (Stan Moseley) of Jesup, Dr. Heather (Dr. Spencer Tally) of Winder, Jennifer (Calvin Mixon) of Bogart, and Barbara Ann (Blaine Hays) of Jesup; grandchildren, Reed Wasdin (Rebecca), Ansley (Issac Mock), Spencer Wasdin, Layne Wasdin, Tucker Cullen, Addison Hays, Saylor Hays, Garrett Moseley and Marleigh Mixon; a great-grandchild, Brogan Mock; a sister, Joan Lindell Wentworth of Jesup; and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-life services were held Feb. 9 at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Pete Boyd and the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating. Dr. Robert McCoy Jr. gave the eulogy.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, Jesup Building Fund, P.O. Box 9, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Harold Paul Jr.
Jesup—Harold Paul Jr., 86, of Jesup died Feb. 12, 2024, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Johnson County native had lived in Wayne County most of his adult life. He was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class. The U.S. Army veteran was a co-owner of Tri-County Cable based out of Lakeland and retired from Rayonier. He was a family man from all aspects of life.
He was preceded in death by wife and loyal companion of 61 years, Sarah Hawkins Paul; his “forever” grandson, Joshua David “J.D.” Paul; and a sister, Sharon Gordon.
Survivors include two sons, Steven (Dena) Paul of Blackshear and David (Chrisine) Paul of Jesup; two grandchildren, Blaine (Carson) Paul of Statesboro and their son, Baylor (great-grandson), and Hannah Grace Paul of Jesup; a sister, Betty Padgett of Garden City; and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-life services were held Feb. 14 at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Vann Dempsey and Pastor Pete Boyd officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Carl Rozier, Mike Highsmith, George Moody, Jim Franklin, Bobby Hughes, Ferrell Smiley, John Rogers, Fred Holland and Pete O’Quinn. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Senior Adult Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Peggy’s Plates, c/o Calvary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 9, Jesup, GA 31598 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Richard Dallas Collins
Jesup—Richard Dallas Collins, 78, of Jesup died Feb. 9, 2024, at his home in Bishop after a long illness.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 15, 1945, he was a Wayne County resident for 37 years and a member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Jesup and in later years of Briarwood Baptist Church in Watkinsville.
He worked for the state of Georgia, Family and Children Services, Mental Health Services, and Gracewood State School and Hospital, was a professor for Waycross College; and retired from Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard.
He continued his servant heart as a member of the Anderson Drive Volunteer Fire Department and Georgia Council on Child Abuse; as a 4-H competition judge; in the Jesup Lions Club and Boy Scouts; as a Wayne County Recreation baseball and football coach; and on the Wayne County Integrity Council, and Wayne County Senior Citizen Council. His favorite pastime was spending time with his family. He also enjoyed volunteering with prison outreach ministries and prison GED programs, baseball, and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Harold Glavin; mother, Pauline Fingeret Collins; brother, Thomas Michael Glavin; and sisters, Margaret Helen Johnson and Claire Bernadette Clark.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Diann McLeroy Collins of Bishop; children, Will (Leigh) Collins of Augusta and Colleen Collins (Robert) Beasley of Athens; grandchildren, Anabel Beasley, Dallas Smith, Presley Smith, Robert William Beasley and Thomas Beasley; and loving nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-life services will be held Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family and friends.
Family and friends will be received one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kairos Prison Ministry, 100 DeBary Plantation Blvd., DeBary, FL 32713.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mark Bacon
Screven—Mark Bacon, 65, of Screven died Feb. 12, 2024, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was a member of Screven First Baptist Church and attended O’Quinn Baptist Church. He started his career as a fiber optic technician with Coastal Utilities in Hinesville and then branched out on his own as a co-owner of his own fiber optic company. He then graduated from the Local 508 Union out of Savannah as an industrial electrician. This enabled him to work at T.J. Padgett Company and Inman Electrical Company.
Fishing, hunting and cooking (he was known for his famous brisket) were some favorite pastimes. Everything he did was centered on family, especially beach trips.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Mildred Bacon, and his son, Phillip.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Cindy Lastinger Bacon of Screven; a son, Tyler (Brittany) Moseley of Screven; a daughter, Amy (Blake) Smith of Screven; four grandchildren, Mason, Kinsey, Easton and Poppie; two sisters, Brenda (Doug) Orr of Ruidoso, New Mexico, and Marlene (David) Jelks of Riceboro; a brother, Chris (Lou Ann) Bacon of Cocoa Beach, Florida; three nieces, Kelly (Mike) Coley, Angela Takes and Jenny Clark; a father-in-love and mother-in-love, Pete and Lynda Lastinger; and a brother-in-love and sister-in-love, David and Crystal Lastinger and their children, Logan, Emily and Dawson.
Celebration-of-life services will be held Sunday, Feb. 18, at 1 p.m. at Vann’s by the Lake, 1876 Savannah Hwy., Jesup, with Melvin Boyette speaking.
Per Bacon’s request, everyone is asked to dress casual and bring a joke or fond memory to this happy occasion.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Misti Strickland Adams
Jesup—Misti Strickland Adams, 50, of Jesup died Feb. 12, 2024, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Pierce County native and long-term resident had lived in Wayne County the past year and attended Jesup Church of God. She was a homemaker. Her leisure time was spent with family and going to the beach.
Survivors include her husband of 30 years, Brian Adams of Jesup; two sons, Austin (Miranda) Adams of Jesup and Ashton (Alexis) Adams of Patterson; mother, Ann Walker (Jim Wehermeyer) of Blackshear; brother, Kevin (Vickie) Strickland of Macon; and granddaughter, Marley Adams.
Celebration-of-life services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Scott Hatten officiating.
Family will receive friends from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. from the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
John Rodney Townsend Sr.
Statesboro—John Rodney Townsend Sr., 78, of Statesboro died on Feb. 9, 2024 at Ogee-chee Area Hospice.
He was as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He was born in Screven to Norman and Lavonia Townsend. He attended Jesup High School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Georgia Southern College in 1967.
He and his wife, Anne, lived in Waycross for 56 years and were members of Trinity United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church there. He was active in the Jaycees and Gideons for many years. He started his career teaching industrial arts at Waycross High School but soon realized his true passion was sales. He became a partner at Jacobson’s on the Mall in Waycross, where he was known for providing expert advice to men purchasing clothing and suits. Later, he was a sales representative for Wrangler Jeans and Abilene Boot Company and became friends with many in NASCAR racing and country music.
He was also owner and partner with his wife at Waycross Dance and Gymnastics, where he was known as Coach Rocket. Coach Rocket and his performance group, The Rocket Stars, performed at Georgia Southern University, Florida State University, Valdosta State University, South Georgia College and the Atlanta Hawks halftime shows. In June 2015, The Rocket Stars performed at the Disney World Performing Arts exhibition. In addition, each year The Rocket Stars would hold a fundraiser for the ALS Association in memory of his friend David Wall.
He was also an excellent golfer with 18 holes-in-ones (all witnessed) across many golf courses in the Southeast, including an albatross on Hole No. 4 at the King and the Bear in St. Augustine, Florida, in 2001.
He also was a talented artist using oils, watercolors and pencils and especially enjoyed drawing cars and special landmarks.
He was preceded in death by his brother Bobby Townsend; and son-in-law Ric Cribb.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Anne Holloway Townsend; a daughter, Ashlee Townsend Cribb (Walt) Woliver; a son John Rodney (Connie) Townsend Jr.; grandchildren, Laura Cribb (George) Todd, Matthew Cribb, Noah Townsend, Olivia Townsend and Chris (Abby) Woliver; a brother Jimmy (Linda) Townsend; sisters-in-law, Ellen Townsend, Pam Holloway (Landrum) Hodges and Jean Holloway Zunkel; brothers-in-law Strickland Holloway Jr. and Bill Zunkel; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The ALS Association (www.als.org) in honor of David Wall.
David Harold Tyre
North Augusta, South Carolina—David Harold Tyre, 86, died Feb. 8, 2024, at NHC Healthcare in North Augusta, South Carolina.
He was a United States Army veteran and longtime resident of Wayne County.
He was a 1956 graduate of Jesup High School, where he was involved in school activities and played on the football team. He always had a love for the military life, so he joined the Georgia National Guard while a senior in high school. After high school graduation, he enrolled at North Georgia College, where he served in its ROTC program. Later, he transferred to the University of Georgia, earning a bachelor of science degree in geography. After graduation, he received a military commission as an officer for the United States Army.
He served more than a dozen years on active duty. His assignments included posts in the USA and Germany and two tours in Vietnam. Later, he resigned with the rank of captain.
His capacity to serve in leadership began at an early age, when he and Don Jordan formed the “Coyote Club.” This “club” consisted of youngsters, aged 7 to 9 years old, living along Pine Street. There were rules for membership, with “no girls” being the first rule. The second rule was that one must be able to “howl like a coyote,” and the third rule was “have a horse to ride” (broomstick). Members were: Earl Richardson, Billy Reddish, Joe Woodward, Bobby Tyre, Jack Richardson, Phillip Morgan, and the Clark brothers, Earl and Roy.
As a civilian, he operated a foreign car repair service and a dredging business, and he farmed his family’s land. Later, he worked for the Wayne County Board of Education as a teacher.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mamie Tyre, and his siblings, Eleanor, Everett, and Jeanine Tyre.
While he has no living relatives, he will be greatly missed by his lifelong friends, his high school classmates and his caring neighbors.
His interment will be held at a later date.