Lesia Jones Huffstetler
Screven—Lesia Jones Huffstetler, 62, died Feb. 4, 2023, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah.
A native and lifelong resident of Screven, she was born on Nov. 21, 1960. She attended high school at Pierce County High School, where she was skilled at playing basketball and softball.
She worked for many years as a meat cutter at A&D Slaughterhouse and Rick’s Meats and had also worked for a while at Walmart. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed trips to the beach and lying in the sun.
She was a longtime member of Screven Baptist Church and was a very talented artist who could draw and paint almost anything. A loving daughter, sister, mother and grandmother, she treasured the time she spent with the ones she loved the most, especially her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father, John David Jones; a sister, Jona McFarland; maternal grandparents, Wes Bennett Jr. and Agatha Bennett; and paternal grandparents, Vernon Jones and Germaine Jones.
Survivors include her three children, Jessica Butler, Zeb Evors and Zeke (Marisa) Evors all of Screven; her mother and stepfather, Annette and Jim Bennett of Screven; two sisters, Ginger Collins of Jesup and Diane (Rocky) Fennell of Screven; grandchildren, Bailey, Zane, Kansas, Gage and Ava; great-grandchildren, Griffin, Ember and Sutton; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
A memorial service was held Feb. 7 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Durwood Miller officiating.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lola Yarbrough Phillips
Jesup—Lola Yarbrough Phillips, 87, of Jesup died Feb. 6, 2023.
The Wayne County native was a member of Blanton Grove Church of God and the Sanctuary Sunday School Class and a homemaker. She was a 1954 graduate of Jesup High School and an accomplished cook who enjoyed being “Grandma” to her grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Euel Dean Phillips; sisters, Evelyn Reddish and Betty Edenfield; and brothers, Albert, Eugene and W.T. Yarbrough.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda (Rev. Chris) Ogden of Odum; a son, Rodney (Davida) Phillips of Jesup; grandchildren, Krista Spivey, Keenan (Jane) Phillips, Caleb (Lauren) Ogden, Daniel (Lauren) Ogden and Hannah Ogden; great-grandchildren, Karly and Waylon Spivey; sisters, Myrtice McLeighton, Lessie Naves, Ruby Elliott, Gerry Cooksey; and a brother, Lonnie Yarbrough.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. from Blanton Grove Church of God with Pastor Josh May and the Rev. Chris Ogden officiating. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Sanctuary Sunday School Class of Blanton Grove Church of God.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to services at the church.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Linda Merritt Bodder
Jesup—Linda Merritt Bodder, 76, of Jesup and formerly of Kingsland died Feb. 1, 2023.
She was a member of Kingsland First Baptist Church. She was very active with the Prison Fellowship Ministries and the Angel Tree Outreach Program. Her kindness was always shown to everyone, including strangers, her family said. Gardening and crafting were some of her favorite things.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, four brothers-in-law and a nephew.
Survivors include her husband of 46 years, David Bodder of Jesup; two daughters, Melissa Welch of Woodbine and Candise (Sean) Ott of Chelsea, Alabama; a son, David S. (Lori) Bodder of Jesup; 11 granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Beverly Wilson of Stonington, Connecticut.
A celebration-of-life service will be held Saturday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. at Kingsland First Baptist Church with Pastor Brian Parker officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to services at the church.
A private family burial was held in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery on Feb. 6 with the Rev. Paul Eastwood officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.