Tonda Denison Flournoy
Jesup—Tonda Denison Flournoy, 54, died suddenly on Jan. 25, 2023, at home.
A resident of Wayne County for most of her life, she was born on Sept. 18, 1968, in Blackshear. She graduated from Wayne County High School, Class of 1986, and attended South Georgia State College in Waycross.
She was very intelligent and could do just about anything she put her mind to, her family said. She worked in the emergency room at Wayne Memorial Hospital for many years in addition to other jobs she had, helping clean houses and working in child care. She volunteered her time with Face to Face Recovery. Her loving and straight- forward approach to life helped many people cope with the struggles of addiction, her family said.
In her spare time, she loved decorating and gardening. She had a green thumb and loved caring for plants. Her children and grandchildren were “the world” to her. She cherished the time she spent with her beloved family.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Doris and Roy Thorne; paternal grandparents, Wilton and Bertie Ruth Denison; and her brother, Chris Denison.
Survivors include her daughter, LeAnne (Brent) Messer of Jesup; a son, Joshua Ryan (Tasha) Tyre of Wisconsin; her mother and stepfather, Angie and James Pye of Jesup; her father, Ronnie Denison of Jesup; three grandsons, Jameson Flournoy, Eric Tyre and Liam Messer, all of Jesup; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Rhonda and Nelson Wasdin and Nicole and Allen McBee all of Jesup; a lifelong special friend, Patty Collins; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held Jan. 30 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home with Patty Collins officiating. The family received friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Interment followed in O’Quinn Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Dustin Wasdin, Kaden Collins, Ernie Roll and Blake, Anthony and Justin Thorne.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Kathy Boatright Tyre
Jesup—Kathy Boatright Tyre, 71, died Jan. 26, 2023, at Wayne Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness.
A resident of Jesup since 1985, she was born on July 19, 1951, in Alma to the late Frances and Charlotte Mathis Boatright. She worked as a registered nurse throughout her entire working career, serving in several different departments at Wayne Memorial Hospital and also overseeing the home health program for many years. She was spunky and full of life, her family said. She was artistic and enjoyed drawing, painting and crocheting in her spare time.
She loved God and was a faithful servant of the Lord, worshiping at Odum Church of God and Piney Grove Church of God. She was smart and determined, her family said, and she cherished the time spent with the ones she loved.
In addition to her parents, her sister, Sherry Walker, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her son, Stacy (Crystal) Mullis of Jesup; two grandchildren, Kamden Knighten of Valdosta and Addi Mullis of Jesup; a brother, Ricky Boatright of Jesup; a sister, Tina Alicia of Jesup; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
William Revis “Bill” Tyre Sr.
Jesup—William Revis “Bill” Tyre Sr., 92, died peacefully on Jan. 27, 2023, after experiencing a life filled with love, family, friendships, and a personal relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Appling County native was born in 1930 to Osborne Tyre and Eva Bryson Tyre (Dixon) in Appling County. He lived most of his adult life in Jesup with the love of his life, Mamie Jean Carter Tyre of Waycross.
The two enjoyed 67 wonderful years of marriage. He was a Korean Conflict veteran who on the horrific battlefields of Korea, he came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He always held his favorite Bible verses from that time dear to his heart and often shared them with others.
The couple started their family and moved to Jesup to begin work at a newly constructed ITT Rayonier in 1954. He began working shift work and eventually rose to the position of supervisor, a role in which he was very proud and retired from Rayonier in 1990. He was an original charter member of Anderson Drive Baptist Church. He helped build the church as a skilled carpenter and served in many capacities there throughout his lifetime.
He was a longtime member of the Jesup Garden Club and was an expert in planting, grafting and growing anything green. He always kept a garden and loved experimenting with and sharing camellias, amaryllis, satsuma oranges and pears, and he had many experimental trees around his home. He was an accomplished beekeeper, selling tupelo honey from his backyard shop as the original owner of “Tyre Honey,” which is still family- owned and in operation today by Bill Jr. As a professional “beagler” he was also well-known for his quality AKC beagles and kennel operation in which he trained, bred and sold champion beagles for more than 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Odeen, Frank and Phillip “Tunk” Tyre.
He is survived by two sons, Bill (Nell) Tyre of Jesup, Tim (Tammy) Tyre of St. Simons Island; four granddaughters, Jenny (Adam) Thomas, Kelly (Brandon) Purcell, Abby (Gage) Patton and Maggie (Sam) McCartney; a grandson, William R. Tyre III; five great-grandchildren, Neely Thomas, Wills Tyre IV, Briggs Thomas, Hardie Purcell and Lundie Purcell; one sister, Carolyn Roberson; one brother, Carol (Sherry) Dixon; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held Jan. 30 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dennie Waters officiating. Interment followed at Lake Chapel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Appling County. Active pallbearers were Terry Walker, Spec Williamson, David Geiger, Justin Franks, Bruce Lawson and Harry Spell. Honorary pallbearers were members of James Moxley’s Sunday school class of Anderson Drive Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
John “David” Smith
Jesup—John “David” Smith, 54, of Jesup died Jan. 27, 2023.
The Wayne County native was a Christian and a former insulation installer. He was a sports and history enthusiast who loved watching all sports, especially the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
He was sentimental, caring and used humor to make everyone smile, his family said.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lester and Nellie Smith and J.C. and Elaine Hamilton, and his stepfather, Bernard Scott.
Survivors include his two daughters, Rena and Kristin Smith, both of Santa Clara, California; father, John (Patricia) Smith of Jesup; mother, Diane Scott of Jesup; three sisters, Patti (John) Robinson, Melissa (Jeff) Lewis and Melanie (Thomas) Knox, all of Jesup; stepsister, Tammy (Vince) Black of Franklin, North Carolina; stepbrother, Steve (Sandee) Blanton of Brunswick; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Jan. 31 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Charles Smith, the Rev. Ryan Sweat and the Reb. Dennis Johnson officiating. Interment followed in the Hamilton Cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Trey Houston Elium
Jesup—Trey Houston “Tractor Trey” Elium, 22, of Jesup died on Jan. 28, 2023.
The Fernandina Beach native had lived in Wayne County the past 12 years and was a member of Altamaha Baptist Church and the College and Career Sunday School Class. He was very active in missions to Haiti and Puerto Rico. After graduating in 2018 from Wayne County High School, where he won many awards with Future Farmers of America (FFA). He went on to do what he loved to do—play in the dirt.
He was a grade foreman with J.W. Oliver Construction Company and owner of Elium Brothers Construction Company. Anything that had to deal with equipment and machinery was his playground. The full-of-life perfectionist never met a stranger, his family said. His passion for adventure continued after work with dirt bikes and side-by-side buggies, but most of all he would want his beloved dog, Beauford, with him.
Survivors include his parents, D.J. and Tonya Elium of Jesup; two brothers, Cole (Carrie Rowell) Elium and Lane (Reese Jordan) Elium, all of Jesup; a sister, Taegan Elium of Jesup; maternal grandparents, Tommy and Brenda Honeycutt of China Grove, North Carolina; paternal grandparents, Darrell and Olivia Elium of Salisbury, North Carolina; aunts and uncles, Donnie (Bonita) Lovette of Leland, North Carolina and Clint (Becky) Honeycutt of Carlsbad, California; numerous great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins and friends, especially, Hannah Cheek; and “adopted” grandmother, Bonnie Davis.
Funeral services were held Jan. 31 at Altamaha Baptist Church with Pastor Bob Richardson, the Rev. Josh Richards and Dr. Donnie Lovette officiating. Interment followed in Altamaha Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Cole and Lane Elium, J.W. Oliver, Thomas and Andrew Lovette, Brad Groover and Paul Purcell. Honorary pallbearers were the crews of J.W. Oliver Construction and Reeves Construction Companies.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Trey Elium Agriculture Memorial Fund, 3451 Constance Road, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jim “Jimbo” Anderson
Jesup—Jim “Jimbo’Anderson, 65, of Jesup died Jan. 29, 2023.
The Wayne County native was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and was a retired Daniel Brick Company salesman. The Wayne County High School 1976 graduate attended University of Georgia and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and spending time with his life long friends.
His “fur babies,” Tuff Love and Baby Love, were dear to his heart.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Mary Ann Anderson, and his brother, Art Anderson.
Survivors include a sister, Jan Anderson Davis of Ponte Vedra, Florida; two nephews, Bart Anderson of St. Marys and Brent Anderson of Atlanta; and two nieces, Victoria (Cody) Brookshire of Atlanta and Stephanie (Hunter) Berger of Bluffton, South Carolina.
There will be a private family burial in Jesup City Cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kim Mobley
Jesup—Kim Mobley, 56, of Jesup died Jan. 30, 2023.
The Wayne County native was a member of Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church. She was a former employee of Walgreens and Family Dollar. Animals and her plants were her passions. She also loved collectables.
Her parents, Shelton and Shirley Mobley, preceded her in death.
Survivors include three sisters, Joyce Ann (Marshall) Clark of Easley, South Carolina, Marie (Cecil) Bush of Jesup and Lisa Mobley of Jesup; a brother, Johnny (Theda) Mobley of Jesup; and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Timothy Bush and Pastor Ray Worley officiating. Private burial will be in Jesup City Cemetery.
Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Marvin C. Lloyd
Jesup—Marvin C. Lloyd, 82, died peacefully Jan. 19, 2023, in Jesup after a lengthy illness.
He was born on May 23, 1940, in Robbinsville, North Carolina. He had a lengthy career in law enforcement, starting with the City of Folkston Police Department and then the Glynn County Police Department before beginning his career with the Georgia State Patrol. He retired after 28 years. Throughout his career in law enforcement, he earned several service awards, as well as serving on security detail for seven U.S. presidents. He also had a second career in real estate and rental properties.
He was widely respected by his peers. He and his brothers were very close and traveled together frequently. He loved his birthplace of Robbinsville and had a second home there for many years. He loved having family gatherings there on the huge deck overlooking a creek and the surrounding mountains.
He loved cracking jokes, flirting, drinking coffee (he called it a cup of mud), playing poker and going to auctions. He was constantly helping people in need, whether it was loaning money or financing their dreams of becoming homeowners. He did everything possible to help them out.
Survivors include his daughters, Lorie “Lynn” Lloyd and Donna Lloyd (Ron) Dunlap; a son, Michael Lloyd; a stepdaughter Karla Rose (Chris) Manning; and grandchildren, Evan Wilkes and Jace Manning.
Graveside funeral services were held Jan. 25 at Sardis Cemetery with honors rendered by the Georgia State Patrol Honor Guard.
Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest registry at www.shepardrobersonfh.com.
Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home of Folkston was in charge of arrangements.
Bobbie V. Jones
Ovid, Michigan—Bobbie V. Jones, 80, of Ovid, Michigan, died peacefully on Jan. 22, 2023, at Memorial Healthcare, Owosso, Michigan.
A cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at a later date. She will be buried beside her first husband, Jack Murray, in Screven Cemetery, Screven.
She was born in Screven on Dec. 21, 1942, the daughter of Robert Osteen and Mildred V. (Tootle) Mosley. She graduated from Screven High School with the class of 1961. In 1962, she married James Jack Murray in Screven. He preceded her in death in 1994. In 1995, she married Ronald D. Jones Sr. in Bradenton, Florida. He preceded her in death in 2019.
She was a very giving person. Strangers quickly became friends. She loved to help anyone in need. She enjoyed cooking and knitting. She dedicated her life to caring for her family and loved having her home full of family and friends.
Survivors include her three children, Ronald (Sherry) Jones Jr., Karen (Dennis) Laughlin and Paul (Ashlee) Murray; eight grandchildren, Cory Jones, Jordan Laughlin, Lauren Laughlin, Megan (Scott) McFadden, Nikolaus Murray, Jack Murray, Beau Murray and Adalee Murray; five great-grandchildren; three siblings, Dinah (Pete) Pye, Cheryl Dunham and Michael (Patti) Mosley; a brother-in-law, Glynn Murray; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, first and second husbands, she was preceded in death by her sister, Janice Murray.
Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Smith Family Funeral Homes, Houghton Chapel, Ovid, is in charge of arrangements.
William “Billy” Joe Bennett
Columbus—William “Billy” Joe Bennett, 82, of Columbus died on Jan. 20, 2023.
He was born in Jesup on May 14, 1940, to Norman Parker and Cartier Brown Bennett. He began his career as a barber in his father’s barbershop in Jesup and became a professional barber, continuing his practice in Columbus for many years.
After retiring from barbering, he began a new career path as a certified pest control and extermination specialist. He retired from his second career in the mid-1990s and devoted his time to being a full-time grandfather to his only grandchild, Alyssa.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of many years, Sharilyn Martin Bennett. They were married in Phenix City, Alabama, Oct. 24, 1963.
He is also survived by his beloved daughter, Kimberly Bennett Ericson, and his granddaughter, Alyssa Ericson, to whom he dedicated his entire life. He is further survived by his devoted and much-loved nephew and caregiver, Jeffery Wayne Bennett; brothers, Richard Norman Bennett, Douglas Wayne Bennett and Harry Eugene Bennett; sisters, Betty Joan Davenport and Connie Sue Bennett; and his granddaughter’s partner, David Stilwell.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a tribute donation be made to the not-for-profit BBB Accredited Charity Alzheimer’s Association at the website www.alz.org.
Memorial services and interment are planned for the Mosely-Bennett Family Cemetery at a date to be announced. Harry Eugene Bennett will officiate.