Preston Hope
Jesup—Preston Hope, 81, of Jesup died March 30, 2023, after a brief illness.
The Wayne County native was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and the Burean Sunday School Class. The retired Rayonier employee was the owner of Hope’s Sprinkler and Landscape Service.
He was known as a prayer warrior to many and always glorified and magnified his Lord and Savior.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Frankie Morgan Hope of Jesup; children, Michael (Gayla) Hope, Shelli (Dr. Edwin) Davis, Sonya (Pastor Calvin) Anderson, all of Jesup, and Shari (Jim) Cook of Atlanta; a brother, Alton C. (Gloria) Hope of Beaufort, South Carolina; sisters, Shirley Hopkins of Stevensville, Maryland and Wanda (Herman) Gordon of Valdosta; several grandchildren, Ryan Madray, Hope Anderson, Hagan Anderson, Mariah McCann, Cooper Hope, Preston Cook, Reese Hope, Peyton Cook, Hally Hinn and West Hope; 10 great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Buddy Roberson, of Screven.
Celebration-of-life services were held April 1 at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Pete Boyd and the Rev. Calvin Anderson officiating. Private interment services were held in the Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 9, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Steve Purvis
Jesup—Steve Purvis, 76, of Jesup died March 31, 2023, after a short illness.
The Lumber City native was a lifelong resident of Wayne County. He was a retired service manager with the Ford Company and a member of Victory Tabernacle Church of God. He was an avid outdoorsman and an Atlanta Braves fan and loved the Georgia Bulldogs.
He might not have been a giant in physical appearance, but he was a “Gentle Giant” in his character traits of meekness, kindness and humility, his family said. He always was ready to serve others and help them not only with their automobiles but with life situations.
He was predeceased by his parents, J. L. and Ruth Purvis, and a brother, Jimmy Purvis.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Faye Purvis of Jesup; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy (Larry) Tyre of Jesup; a son and daughter-in-law, Steve (Debbie) Purvis of Brunswick; two brothers, Lamar (Tammy) Purvis and Perry (Sally) Purvis, all of Brunswick; two sisters, Linda Purvis and Teresa Purvis, both of Brunswick; four grandchildren, Cody (Kursten) Tyre, Eli Tyre, Corey Purvis and Ashleigh Purvis; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held April 3 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Pastor Keith Lairsey officiating. Interment followed in Bennett Cemetery in Screven. Active pallbearers were family and friends. Honorary pallbearers were the Men’s Sunday School Class of Victory Tabernacle Church of God and Joey Miller.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ira Lou Crowe
Jesup—Ira Lou Crowe, 83, affectionately known as Diane, died on March 29, 2023, after an extended illness.
She was born in Wayne County to the late Leonard and Claudia Strickland Grantham. She was a homemaker and provided day care to many children in her home over the years. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose quick wit and love for her family will be deeply missed.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 58 years, Donald Crowe; a son, Jimmy Crowe; sisters, Kathleen Grantham Holland, Sandra Durbin and Penny Rodenberry; and brothers, William Thomas Grantham and James Earl Grantham.
She is survived by two sons, Dennis Crowe and Eddie Crowe, both of Jesup; a daughter and son-in-law, Tina and John Willis of Hortense; sisters, Fran Grantham of Brunswick and Annette Dismuke of Jesup; a sister-in-law, Betty Jean Pace of Crab Orchard, Kentucky; a brother-in-law, Dean Crowe of Pontiac, Michigan; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
Graveside services were held March 31 in Jesup City Cemetery with Hospice of South Georgia Chaplain Phillip Bunce officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James Thomas Williamson
Odum—James Thomas Williamson, 86, died March 27, 2023, in Jesup.
The native and lifelong resident of Wayne County retired from Hendrix Hauling and had worked for Jesup Tire.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Williamson.
Survivors include his daughter, Joyce Williamson of Odum; a son and daughter-in-law, Buck (Shelia) Williamson of Jesup; grandchildren, Beth (Blake) Roberts and Bryan (Megan) Williamson; and nine great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici.