Shelby Nicole Bradley
Jesup—Shelby Nicole Bradley, 23, died peacefully on Feb. 2, 2024, at Augusta University Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.
A native and lifelong resident of Jesup, she was born on Nov. 7, 2000, in Savannah. A graduate of Wayne County High School, she was a people person and was loving. She enjoyed collecting jewelry, shopping and spending time with the ones she loved. She “never met a stranger” and was always happy to strike up a conversation.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Faye Bennett, Steve Clark and Elma Bunch.
Survivors include her mom and dad, Tina and John Bunch of Jesup; a stepdad, Ricky Wells of Jesup; siblings, Alexis and Zach Willsey of Jesup, Katelyn Bunch and Rylee Wells, both of Jesup, Shane (Crystal) Bunch of Daytona Beach, Florida, Tiffany Bradley of Jesup and Terry (Kellie) Bradley of Jesup; a grandmother, Earlene Clark of Jesup; special aunts, Cindy Christo of Jesup and Diana Spears of Odum; a nephew that meant the world to her, Banks Willsey; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held Feb. 5 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Albert Dyal and the Rev. Guyvie Beasley officiating.
Interment followed in Odum City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Stacy Thornton, Zach Willsey, Andy Bunch, Joe Bunch, Brandon Davis and Landon Kapp.
Honorary pallbearers were staff members of All Ways Caring Homecare, St. Joseph’s Candler SOURCE and Community Home Nurse.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Victoria Madray Roberson
Screven—Victoria Madray Roberson, 30, of Screven died Feb. 5, 2024, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was a Christian and a special education paraprofessional at James E. Bacon Elementary School. She was an avid University of Florida Gators fan and enjoyed hiking in the mountains. Her whole world revolved around family in all of her activities.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Carol Ann Fulghum; paternal grandparents, Johnny and Velma Madray and Monree Lastinger Wolfe; and an uncle, Jason Roberson.
Survivors include her husband, Dustin Roberson of Screven; two children, Easton Hall and Brayden Roberson; parents, Holly Lynn Madray and William Grady Madray; a brother, Cody Alexander Mansfield; a sister, Razja Paige Madray; nieces and nephews, Rayna, Ansley, Raegan, Blakelee, Kaycen, Asher and Lilyann; a grandfather, Johnny Eugene Fulghum Sr.; a father-in-love and mother-in-love, Ray and Beth Roberson of Screven; and a sister-in-love, Summer (Jay) Conley.
Funeral services were held Feb. 7 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Mark Griffis officiating. Interment followed in Liberty Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Cody Mansfield, Christopher Fulghum, Johnny Fulghum Jr., Eric Wilder, Cooper Fulghum and Daryl Johnson. Honorary pallbearers were the staff of James E. Bacon Elementary School.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Gloria Ann Sikes
Jesup—Gloria Ann Sikes, 76, of Jesup died Feb. 2, 2024.
The Alabama native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church but recently had been attending New Bethel Baptist Church. The homemaker and avid reader loved to flower-garden and take care of her family.
Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Frank Sikes of Jesup; a daughter, Tina (Scott) Armstrong of Jesup; a son, Mark (Constance) Sikes of Jesup; two sisters, Peggy Boutwell and Sarah Morrow, both of Dothan, Alabama; two brothers, Huey (Mary) Boutwell and Glenn Boutwell, both of Slocomb, Alabama; six grandchildren, Zachary, Dylan, Caitlin, Cheyann, Kanon and Kennedy; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Feb. 5 at New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Terry Jackson and Pastor Dennie Waters officiating. Interment followed in Flint Branch Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family. Honorary pallbearers was the staff of Hospice of South Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Bethel Baptist Church, 325 New Bethel Road, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Marian Pope Blocker
Screven—Marian Pope Blocker, 91, of Screven died Feb. 4, 2024, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia in their inpatient unit.
The Appling County native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was the longest-living member of Screven First Baptist Church. She was one of the Ladies’ Sunday School Class teachers, but her favorite pastime was singing in the choir and praising her Lord.
She attended Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in the early 1950s working on a home economics degree. She later received her licensed practical nurse degree from Altamaha Technical Institute under the tutelage of Susan Strickland and Dailene McDaniel. She was one of the first registered nursing graduates from Brunswick College.
Her most important job was taking care of her family, especially being “Big Mama” to her grandchildren and helping to rear her great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Carroll and Verlyn Pope; her grandson, Ben Grantham; her children’s father, Don Blocker; and a son-in-love, Buddy Tate.
Survivors include her two daughters, Rhonda (Frank) Pearson of St. Simons Island and Kim Tate of Screven; a son, Chip Blocker of Screven; several grandchildren, Lori Hamm, Erin Driggers, Bo (Aletha) Mann, Sasha Theus, Summer (Jereme) Kennedy, Erich (Terra) Pearson and Charles (Jac) Pearson; 19 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Feb. 6 at Screven First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dan Todd and the Rev. Lynn Harris officiating. Interment followed in Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elouiese Lackey
Tampa, Florida—Elou-iese Lackey, 97, of Tampa, Florida, died on Jan. 27, 2024, in Palmetto, Florida. She was born Clyde Elouiese Mock on Aug. 30, 1926, in Gardi. Elouise, as she preferred to be called, moved from Georgia to Florida as a teen-ager. She married Wilbur John Lackey, and together they resided in Tampa until 2018, when she relocated to Palmetto, Florida.
She was a devoted wife, mother of two, homemaker and successful businesswoman. She graduated from Hillsborough High School and later pursued her passion for beauty by attending beauty college at the age of 37. She opened Carol’s Beauty Salon in Tampa, where she ran a thriving business for many years. Later, she ventured into the print industry and opened The Print Pad, a successful print shop she ran in Temple Terrace, Florida, until her retirement. She was an active member of Temple Heights Baptist Church and Open Door Baptist in Tampa, where she found solace and community.
She was known for her kind and generous nature, always lending a helping hand to those in need. Her favorite scripture was Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” “Her passing has worked for her good. No more suffering, no more pain,” her family said. Ecclesiastes 3:4 explains that there is a time for everything under the sun: “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” “While we weep, Elouiese is laughing and while we mourn, she will dance,” her family said.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruby Quindola Mock and Jennings Brian Mock; her sister, Genevive Mock; and her beloved husband, Wilbur John Lackey.
She is survived by her two daughters, Karen McMichael and Janet Zanoni; her two grandchildren, Monica Leigh and Alexandro Di Benedetto; and two great-grandsons, Caspian Leigh and Cooper Leigh.
A private graveside service will be held at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Jesup to honor and celebrate her life.
Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Gerald A. DeWitt
Jesup—Gerald A. DeWitt, 76, of Jesup died Feb. 4, 2024.
The Jacksonville, Florida, native was a lifelong resident of Wayne County and a member of Jesup Church of God. He was a retired environmental manager with Rayonier and served as a Jesup city commissioner for 21 years. He was a long-term National Guardsman.
His leisure time was spent traveling, gardening, fishing, and enjoying music and art.
He was predeceased by his parents, Wiley Monroe and Gertrude Irene DeWitt.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Linda Driggers DeWitt of Jesup; a daughter, Melissa Dewitt of Pooler; a granddaughter, Rain Dewitt of Savannah; and siblings, Monroe, Nina, Roger, Ralph, Jackie, Wylene and Robert.
Celebration-of-life services were held Feb. 7 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Jonathan McCullough speaking. Private interment was held in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Christopher Lee “Chris” Lane
Jesup—Christopher Lee “Chris” Lane, 36, of Jesup died Feb. 5, 2024.
The Wayne County native was a Christian and attended New Bethel Baptist Church and was an employee with Healthy Pet Industries and was named “Employee of the Month” and “Employee of the Year” with the company.
In his off time, he loved fishing, playing video games and entertaining people with his wit, and he was an avid “Bulldog fan.”
He was predeceased by his father, Eric Johnson, and an uncle, David Lane.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Lisa (William Billy) Crews of Jesup; grandparents and caregivers, Mabel and Grady Marr of Jesup; brothers, Derick and Steven Lane, both of Jesup; a stepsister, Michelle Marple of Baxley; and an aunt, Donna Brankel of Rock, Kansas.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. from O’Quinn Baptist Church with the Rev. Dennie Waters and the Rev. Gerald Greenlee officiating. Interment will follow in O’Quinn Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be his coworkers of the Healthy Pet Industry.
Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to services at the church.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.