Hayward Merritt “Meddy” Settles
Jesup—Hayward Merritt “Meddy” Settles, 59, a beloved member of the Wayne County community, died peacefully on Feb. 29, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family and under the compassionate care of GHC Hospice.
Meddy, as he was affectionately known, was a lifelong resident of Wayne County and a proud graduate of Wayne County High School. He served as a devout member of Fellowship Baptist Church for many years and was in recent years a devout member of Calvary Baptist Church, exemplifying his deep faith and commitment to his community. He dedicated 40 years of his life to Local No. 256, joining at the age of 18 and retiring in November 2022, and cherished the camaraderie of his fellow union workers.
“He was cherished as a friend by all who knew him. His warm heart, genuine kindness and unwavering support endeared him to many. He leaves behind a legacy of love and friendship that will be cherished by those whose lives he touched. He will be deeply missed but remembered fondly for his kindness, generosity and unwavering love for his family, friends and community,” his family said.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hayward M Settles Sr.; his son, Glenn Garett Settles; his father-in-law, Willie Glenn Franklin; and his maternal grandparents, Ed and Myrtice Fennell.
Survivors include his beloved soul mate of 40 years, Glynis Franklin Settles; his baby girl, Madison Settles, and her devoted boyfriend, Gabriel Hogan; his mother, Kathy (Jerry) Crow; his mother-in-law, Dale Franklin; a brother-in-law, Norman (Charlotte) Franklin; a sister-in-law, Annisa (Greg) Feuz; an aunt, Edwina Anderson; numerous nieces and nephews; and three great-nieces who were his little prayer warriors.
A celebration-of-life service was held March 3 at Calvary Baptist Church. It was officiated by Pastor Pete Boyd. Interment followed at Thompson Family Cemetery on Annie Thompson Road.
Honoring his memory as active pallbearers were his union brothers—Raymond McCullough, Mark Imbrigiotta, Zachary Jackson, Larry Phillips, David Hicks, Lloyd Hicks, Tom Jenkins, Dan Morris and Tim Burns. Recognized as honorary pallbearers were the local carpenters at Local No. 256 and any fellow active union brothers, the Calvary Baptist Truth Tellers Sunday School Class, the 1983 Wayne County High School class, members of the Savannah Building Trade, and the staff at GHC Hospice, along with members of his cherished family and friends—Norman Franklin, Walker Frank-lin, Weston Franklin, Greg Feuz, Franklin Tatum, Mackey Mc-Ready, Paul Goober and Ronnie Mullis.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Judy Priester Ostrom
Jesup—Judy Priester Ostrom, 78, of Jesup died Feb. 27, 2024, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native attended Faith Chapel Congregational Methodist Church. She was a wonderful mother and Nanny to her family. She worked for Pizza Inn for many years and enjoyed fishing.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Butch Ostrom; several siblings; and a great-grandson, Cooper Struckhoff.
Survivors include three daughters, Leslie (Robbie) Thompson, Lora Oliver and Lara Hamilton, all of Jesup; six grandchildren, Robin (Matthew) Poppell, Holly (Ben) Struckhoff, J.W. (Abbie) Oliver, Taylor Thompson, Madie Hamilton and Kiley Oliver; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley (J.Willy) Davis; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Feb. 29 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. James Carter officiating. Interment followed in Flint Branch Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Jay Davis, Willie Priester, Quabo Brown, Bill Hamilton, Robbie Struckhoff and Scott Hemming. Honorary pallbearers were the staffs of Hospice of South Georgia and Tim’s Medical Supply, Sherry Thomas, Destiny Chandler, Robin Anderson and Elizabeth Hemming.
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.
Marjorie Hyers Bland
Jesup—Marjorie Hyers Bland, 90, of Jesup died March 6, 2024.
The Pierce County native had lived in Jesup most of her life. She graduated from Patterson High School in 1951 and Armstrong State College in Savannah in 1953. She then came to Jesup as a newlywed in 1956 with her late husband, James R. Bland Jr. She raised her three beloved children and invested her time, heart and creativity into her community and her beloved Jesup First United Methodist Church.
“Margie” is remembered as an artistic, colorful, vibrant lady who shared her time and talents in many ways. From painting a life-sized “Last Supper” of Jesus and his disciples for FUMC to use at every Easter celebration for almost a half-century to holding numerous leadership positions in the church, she thrived and flourished when giving and creating for others. She, along with incredible church members whom she loved, decorated the sanctuary for Easter celebrations for most of her adult life.
She was an avid bridge player for more than 60 years and formed friendships around the bridge table that still last today. She picked up a golf club when her children left for college, and she enjoyed many years of tournament play. She is a past president of the Pine Forest Ladies Golf Association. She was an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast and worked the Savannah Morning News crossword puzzle for most of her adult life. A day was just not complete without that puzzle’s having all the blanks filled.
She supported her husband, James R. Bland Jr., in all his endeavors as a civic and community leader, former mayor of Jesup, and general manager of ITT Rayonier Inc.
She is probably most remembered for being a notable artist and painting numerous oil paintings that hang in public buildings around Wayne County and in private homes throughout Georgia. She painted as she lived her life: with bold, happy, confident impressionistic strokes of color and composition. She studied art under the late Bill Hendrix, and this hobby eventually defined who she was. She was never happier or more excited than she was with a paintbrush in her hand and oil paint on her palette.
She and her husband, “Jim,” were often spotted on a dance floor with their obvious love of music and jitterbug dancing but, most of all, with their love for one another. They were married for 62 years, and their love story will live on through all who were blessed enough to know them, her family said.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Elouise Hyers; her beloved sister and best friend, Beverly Hyers Hires; her younger brother, Cleve Hyers; and a very special niece, Lanna Aldridge Denison.
Survivors include her three children James Richard (Ava) Bland III of Carrollton; Joy Bland (Lex) Kenerly III; and David Clifford (Arria) Bland of Jesup.
She loved her 11 grandchildren and thought the world revolved around them. They are Leah Bland Martin and husband, John Paul, and children, Ava Jane and Bland; James Richard Bland IV “Jay” and wife, Maddy, and children, Jack and Josie; Hunter Flanagan Bland and Emily; John Lex Kenerly IV and wife, Amy Gail, and child, Evelyn Anne; Adeline Kenerly Lambert and husband, Greyson, and children, Lock and Middleton; Jameson Kenerly Ragsdale and husband, Cole, and child, Tate; Asher Lanier Kenerly and wife, Powell; David Middleton Bland II and wife, Lauren, and children, Tripp and Buster; Arria Blythe Bland; Brayden Bland Sheffield and husband, Will; and Ava Brynnslet Bland.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 9, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service begins at 10 a.m.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Merlene Hodge Knight
Palatka, Florida—Merlene Hodge Knight, 88, of Palatka, Florida, died Feb. 29, 2024, at Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center following an extended illness.
Born in Odum, she resided in Palatka since 1957, after moving from Screven. Years ago in Georgia, she had worked in tobacco and cotton fields. After moving to Palatka, she worked as a cafeteria worker at the old Silver Lake Elementary School (now Kelly Smith Elementary). She also helped her husband in his upholstery business.
As a source of enjoyment, she enjoyed crocheting. She was a member of Midway Baptist Church in Springside.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Nelbon Knight; her parents, Leston and Myrtice Hodge; and two sisters, Glenese Moody and Willene Womack.
Survivors include three daughters, Sheila (Mike) Riddick, Teresa Knight and Tammy Knight, all of Palatka; six grandchildren, Chris (Jessica) Riddick, Todd (Heather) Riddick, Mitchell Knight, Zachary (Tristian) Knight, Jamie Burkes and Adam (Jai) Laibl; and seven great-grandchildren, Chase, Clayton, Nevaeh, Lenna, Emma, Rowan and Jackson.
Celebration-of-life services were held March 5 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Pastor Bob Bogart officiating. Graveside services and burial will be held Saturday, March 9, at 2 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Cemetery, 5616 Odum-Screven Road, Jesup. Grandson Todd Riddick will speak. This will be under the direction of Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or memorial donations may be made to: Tribute Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9008.
Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Yvonne Jones Jeffords
Waycross—Yvonne Jones Jeffords, 91, died March 4, 2024, at Baptist Village in Waycross.
Born Hattie Yvonne Jones, she arrived on Jan. 25,1933, in the Caney Bay community of Brantley County. The eldest child of Susie Jacobs Jones and James Carlos Jones, she will be remembered for her leadership, love of learning and keen interest in young children.
She spent her childhood in Brantley and Ware counties and graduated from Waycross High School in 1950. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in home economics, and on Sept. 4, 1954, she married C.Q. “Quinn” Jeffords, a mechanical engineer with Atlantic Coastline Railroad. The couple made their home in Waycross for the majority of the next 62 years and were members of First United Methodist Church. Together, they provided a wonderful home and many happy memories for their six children.
She also earned a master’s degree in education from Valdosta State University, and for many years she led Satilla Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.
She was preceded in death by her husband, C.Q. “Quinn” Jeffords Sr., and siblings, J.C. Jones, Billy Jones, Betty Jones Scott and Bruce Jones.
She is survived by her six children, C.Q. “Quinn” Jeffords Jr., Carla Jeffords (Larry) Vitez, Ed (Gina) Jeffords of Jesup, Lawrence (Patricia) Jeffords, Susan Jeffords Carter and Will (Mary Beth) Jeffords; her nine grandchildren, Rebecca (Dave) Jeffords-Smith, Melissa Carter (Donald) Stouffer, Natalie Vitez (Jeremy) Ashe, Jacob (Erin) Jeffords, Rachel Jeffords (Matthew) Reed, Lawrence Jeffords III, Celeste Vitez (Tyler) Simmons, Austin Jeffords (fiancé Katie Kruszynski) and Addison Jeffords; and six great-grandchildren.
The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Okefenokee Swamp Park—Jeffords Memorial Donation.