Clarence Eugene Ryals
Jesup—Clarence Eugene Ryals, 77, affectionately known as “Gene” or “Shyster,” died on Aug. 24, 2022, at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Graveside memorial services will be held at Little Creek Cemetery on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m.
Brother Charlie Hinson, Charlie Hinson Jr. and the Rev. Keith Lairsey will officiate the services. The family will receive friends at the cemetery.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Gleason Copeland
Jesup—Gleason Copeland, 83, of Jesup died Feb. 14, 2023, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was a member, active Sunday school member, former deacon of New Hope Freewill Baptist Church for more than 50 years. He was also the caretaker of the New Hope Cemetery. The Jesup High School graduate and “Country Gentleman” was recently honored with the naming of the “Gleason Copeland Upper County Altamaha River Landing.”
The 44-year ITT Rayonier retiree served on numerous governmental and civic committees, including the Department of Family and Children Services, the Wayne County Hospital Authority, Altamaha Federal Credit Union, two terms as a Wayne County commissioner, and the Wayne Memorial Hospital Building Committee. He was a Shriner, a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 112.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Margaret Westberry Copeland; his parents, George and Ada Landon Copeland; a brother, Don Copeland; and a sister, Lavonia Arnold Deal.
Survivors include a daughter, Mary Ann (Kevin) Keith of Jesup; a son, Albert “Al” (Angie) Copeland of Jesup; other children “in love,” Raymond (Kay) Arnold, Jan Davis and Darlene Keebler; a special friend, Jean Dufel; grandchildren, Chase (Addie) Gleason Copeland, Chelsea (Shawn) Boatright, Chelan (Brian) Yardman, Taylor (Kadie) Branch, Adley Branch, Emily (Vince) Jern; sisters, Jackie Lewis, Jarris (Mike) Priester and Melba Jean (Mickey) Deakins; great-grandchildren, Emma Kate Branch, Jolie Jern, Bailey Ann Branch, Cohen Yardman, Cooper Keith Jern, Brix Copeland and Madi Boatright; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. at New Hope Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Horne and the Rev. R.M. Warren officiating. Interment will follow in New Hope Cemetery with the Rev. Dennie Waters officiating.
Active pallbearers will be Andy Miller, Vernie Lewis, Doug Lewis, David Deakins, Chris Arnold, Michael Westberry, Rodney Madray, David Herrin, Gary Mallard, Herman Lewis Sr., James Harris, Chris Arnold, Ernie Bowen, Alvin Westberry, Royal Westberry, Herbert Westberry and Lawrence Goober. Honorary pallbearers will be New Hope Freewill Baptist Church deacons, Phillips Hart, Roger Anderson, Brad Reddish, Steve Dixon, Jerry (Nancy) Jones, Elton Aspinwall, John Carter, Keith Wright, Allen Boyd Sr., Warren Beverly, Tony Blanton, Jerome Wilson, Robert Jones, Billy Miller, Joey Scarborough, Ralph O’Quinn, Craig O’Quinn, J.D. Davis, Houston Viterbo, Joe Naia, Hinson Mosley, Gavin Jones, Billy Livesay, Burnice Geiger, Lowell Mallard, Edwin Warren, Tally Ogden, Lee Bishop, J.W. Oliver, Buddy Starling, Carey Martin, Peedy White, Ben White, Dustin Goober, Wyman Ogden, Ernie Westberry and Winston Sharpe.
Visitation will be held today (Thursday) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New Hope Cemetery Fund, 320 Bonham Road, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Catherine Ann Crane
Jesup—Catherine Ann Crane, 69, of Jesup died Feb. 10, 2023 at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
She was born on Dec. 29, 1953, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the late Alvin Henderson Crane and the late Barbara Ann Lindley Crane. She was a member of Jesup First United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir. She loved her cats and was a collector of china. She also loved playing the piano.
Survivors include her sister, Mary Lynn Lain of San Diego, California; brothers, Richard Alvin Crane of Beaver Dam, Virginia, Dr. John Edward Crane of Baxley and James Lindley Crane of Manassas, Virginia; and four nieces, Laurel Nash, Joyce Ann Cordes, Barbara Sue Pearlman and Victoria Elizabeth Glover.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. at Jesup First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton officiating.
Swain Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Charles Norman Riley
Dublin—Dr. Charles Norman Riley died on Feb. 5, 2023.
He was born in Surrency on Jan. 17, 1929 to Julian and Fleta Riley. He graduated from Jesup High School (1948) and Middle Georgia College (1952) and served in the U.S. Army (1952-1954). He graduated Emory University’s Dental School (1958) and practiced dentistry in Dublin for 47 years.
He married Betty Parrish on June 1, 1952. They had four daughters, Charlyn (Donnie) Green, Dian (Bill) Davis, Tara (Cliff) Tidwell and Teresa (Marshall) McDuffie, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Dublin for many years and was known for standing strong for his Christian beliefs in professional and civic organizations such as Kiwanis International, the Georgia Dental Association and the Laurens County GOP. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, traveling and gardening.
Services were held at First Baptist Church of Dublin on Feb. 10. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Dublin First Baptist Church’s Missions Ministry or their Hands of Ruth Ministry.
Townsend Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.