Obituaries 6.8.23

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Alford Bruce Woodard Sr.

Jesup—Alford Bruce Woodard Sr., 94, died peacefully on June 2, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family under the care of Heartland Hospice.

A resident of Wayne County for more than 65 years, he was born on Nov. 14, 1928, in Cordele to the late Henry and Mattie Dickerson Woodard. He served his country in the United States Army before returning home, where he worked as a machinist at Rayonier until his retirement.

He was an avid golfer, bowler and knife maker. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing fast- pitch softball. He was a member of the Jesup Elks Lodge No. 2133 B.P.O.E. for more than 30 years.

In addition to his parents, his wife, Betty Ann Woodard, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his three sons,  Bruce (Onda) Woodard Jr. of Jesup, Walter (Vikki) Woodard of Fort Mills, South Carolina, and Mike (Cindy) Woodard of Jesup; 10 grandchildren, Erica (Dennis) Wilkins, Dylan Woodard, Dixie Aljehni, Dustin Woodard, Shellie Wood, Taylor (John) Eden, Tyler Woodard, Grayson Woodard, Jo (Steve) Guzan and Jordan Woodard; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.

Funeral services were held June 5 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were Dylan Woodard, Grayson Woodard, Austin Crews, Dennis Wilkins, Gary Parks and Fred Fender.

Honorary pallbearers were members of the Jesup Elks Lodge No. 2133 B.P.O.E. and the members of the 12:30 p.m. golf group at Pine Forest Country Club.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Jill Poppell, Ida Alexander, Brenda Bacon, Melissa Spencer and especially his granddaughter, Erica Wilkins, for all the loving care they provided to him during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Jesup Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 154, Jesup, GA 31598.

 

Kenneth H. Carelock

Jesup—Kenneth H. Carelock, 69, died suddenly on June 2, 2023, at home.

A resident of Jesup for the past 11 years and former resident of Douglas for most of his life, he was born on Oct. 5, 1953, in Fort Benning to the late Edgar and Dorothy Music Carelock.

He graduated from Coffee County High School in Douglas before attending and graduating from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in business.

He was a hard worker, and he dedicated himself to his career. He worked in the automotive sales business for more than 20 years, working most recently as finance manager at Woody Folsom’s Chevrolet in Baxley.

He was a loyal and devoted husband who had been called the last of the true gentlemen many times as he showed his love and respect for his wife in many different ways, his family said. In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time at home with his wife and beloved canine companions.

He was of the Baptist faith and was a diehard Georgia Bulldog fan who also enjoyed watching Western movies on television.

Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Susan Carelock of Jesup; children, Kenneth Carelock Jr. of Colorado, Donnie Carelock and Shelby Carelock, both of Kentucky; a sister, Kathy (Leo) Rivero of Douglas; a stepson, James (Mary) Belling Jr. of Martin; numerous grandchildren; and extended-family members.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 11, at 2 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Gerald Greenlee officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to ARF, P.O. Box 432, Jesup, GA 31598 or WAGS, P.O. Box 21, Jesup, GA 31598.

Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

LaWanda Wasdin Evors

Screven—LaWanda Wasdin Evors, 88, of Screven died June 1, 2023, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.

The Wayne County native was a member of O’Quinn Baptist Church and a retired school teacher with the Wayne County Board of Education. She was known as the most kind-hearted lady and always stayed busy.

She was predeceased by her husband, Raymond Evors; her parents, Loy and Fannie Wasdin; and two brothers, A.D. and Byron Wasdin.

Survivors include two daughters, Ginger Evors of Las Vegas, Nevada, and LaRae (Kenny) Thornton of Screven; a son, Loy (Jeanne) Evors of Screven; four grandsons, Julian (Rosa) Brinkley, Zeb (Adamarys) Evors and Zeke (Marisa) Evors and Brantley Thornton; a great-granddaughter, Ava Evors; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held June 3 at Screven City Cemetery with Durwood Miller officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia Building Fund, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. 

 

Paul Martin Koch

Jesup—Paul Martin Koch, 82, of Jesup died June 3, 2023, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.

The Pennsylvania native had lived in Wayne County the past 35 years and was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He was a retired employee with the Internal Revenue Service and the Civil Service. The U.S. Navy veteran enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, golfing, hunting, and fishing.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Caroline Sheffield Koch of Jesup; a daughter, Sherri (Doug) Gordy of Milledgeville; grandchildren, Parker (Kelsey) Gordy and Hannah Gordy; several nieces and nephews; a special brother-in-law, Cliff (Linda) Sheffield; and many close friends.

A full mass celebration was held June 6 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Interment followed in Ritch Cemetery in Screven. Active pallbearers were his nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1048 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546 or Hospice of South Georgia Building Fund, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 

Stacy Collins Bagley

Jesup—Stacy Collins Bagley, 51, of Jesup died May 31, 2023.

The Whitfield County native and former resident of Chats-worth had lived in Wayne County less than a year. She worked temporarily at EAM and enjoyed the beach, fishing, hunting, photography and adored her two furbabies, Princess and Peanut.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Sally Collins; along with her sister, Reba Darlene.

Survivors include her husband of 20 years, Lee Bagley of Jesup; a son, Austin Hulett of McRae; a brother, Randy (Tammy) Collins of Chatsworth; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration-of-life service was held June 2 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 q Out of Town

 

Willard (Bill) Germaine Egan

St. Simons—Willard (Bill) Germaine Egan died June 1, 2023, at The Retreat at Marsh’s Edge, Saint Simons Island.

He was the son of John J. Egan and Julia Wood Egan of Buffalo, New York.

He was a graduate of Bennett High School, Buffalo, New York, and the University of Buffalo, where he received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. He was drafted in 1951 in the U.S. Army and then sent to Field Artillery Officers’ Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. His first assignment was the training cadre in the preparation of the Illinois National Guard for service in the Korean War. Camp Cook, California, was the mobilization site. In mid-April, 1952, he witnessed an atomic explosion in Nevada, where both eyes were severely burned. He was then sent to Korea. He received the Air Medal with Cluster for Field Artillery Target Acquisitions missions and was promoted to first lieutenant while in Korea.

After leaving the Army, he returned to the University of Buffalo and took business classes. He then went to work for the Artistic Furniture Company to learn about the furniture business. In 1956 he took advantage of a new furniture manufacturer, Waynline Inc. in Jesup. He began as the cutting- room foreman. He eventually worked his way into merchandising and then executive vice president of Waynline Inc. He then joined Singer Furniture (formerly Carpenter Furniture) in Roanoke, Virginia, as vice president of merchandising and later became vice president of production.

He left Singer Furniture and bought Larkin Industries in Swainsboro, selling it in 1978. He then moved to Brunswick, becoming office manager for Parker-Helms Industrial Supply. He retired in 1988 to care for his wife, Jackie, until her death in 1990.

His civic affiliations were the Jesup Jaycees and Kiwanis Clubs of Jesup, Swainsboro and Brunswick. He was an active member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans and the International Bird Dog Association (Combat Artillery Air Observers) and was a proud supporter of the University of Buffalo Bulls.

He received his pilot’s license in 1964. He was the proud owner of a Piper Cherokee 180 four passenger private plane named The Wine Bottle for the “W” in the phonetic alphabet. He used it for private business trips and family vacations.

He was the architect who designed his family’s home on Harper Street in Jesup. The home was unique in that it only had four corners in the entire house. He was always involved in woodworking projects around the house, working with his two sons. Using the drawings of the St. Simons Pier area, he turned his sketches into stationery for friends and family. Tennis shoe benches were his final woodworking project for his tennis friends in Naples, Florida, while he was living there.

He was predeceased by his first wife of 39 years, Jackie O’Brien Egan on Dec. 23, 1990; his infant son, James Wood Egan (twin to Jeffrey Wood Egan); a brother Dr. Richard Egan of Houston, Texas; a sister, Marjorie Egan McCurdy of Boulder, Colorado; and a granddaughter, Katie Egan of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Survivors include his present wife of 26 years, Shirley Maybury Egan; son, David B. Egan (Joan Egan) of Sudbury, Massachusetts; son, Jeffrey Wood (Gayle) Egan of Brunswick; granddaughter, Zelma Elisabeth Egan (Stephen) Hughes of Clermont, Florida; and great-granddaughter, Victoria Elisabeth Hughes of Clermont, Florida. Additional survivors include Shirley’s daughters, Cece Maybury Yourshaw of Blacksburg, Virginia, and Melissa Maybury (Neill) Lubin of Charlottesville, Virginia; grandsons, Mike Yourshaw of Blacksburg, Matt Yourshaw of Oren, Utah, and D.C. Lubin of Harrisburg, Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

St. Simons Island McDonald’s Coffee Club members who will serve as honorary pallbearers include Don Gammon, Tom Missledine, Karen Bair, Dick Egeland, Kathy Mensinger, Joan Harris, Martha Johnson, Trudy and Bob McNally, John Gibson, and Cecil Dugger.

Memorial services were held June 7 at Oglethorpe Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, St. Simons Island. The Rev. Dr. Wright Culpepper officiated.

In lieu of flowers, send memorials to The National Association of Atomic Veterans NAAV 130 Cleveland Street, Lebanon, OR 97355-4505.

A celebration-of-life service will be held later in the summer.

Yvonne Agnes

Harmon Parks

Brunswick—Yvonne Agnes Harmon Parks, died June 4, 2023.

She was born Oct. 6, 1937, in Jesup to Olga and Lonnie Harmon. She grew up here and in junior high school met Robert Parks, the love of her life. They dated all through high school and through her four years at Tift College in Forsyth. After her graduation, they married in 1961 and moved to Brunswick. She taught at Glynn Academy in the 1960s and at Brunswick High School, beginning in 1970, until she retired almost 30 years later. She also served as faculty adviser for the Brunswick High Cutlass Yearbook, managing the students who wrote articles, took photographs and compiled everything into the annual each school year. Many students passed through her care and attention throughout her career, and her positive, loving impact lives on in them as well as in her family, her family said.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in Brunswick throughout her adulthood.  She also shared her gift for teaching with the 11-12-year-olds who attended Sunday School there.  For more than 25 years she was a constant presence in the lives of those children every Sunday morning, sharing her deep love for God.

She was an avid reader—often, when she wasn’t grading school papers or tending to her family, she could be found with a book in her hand. After her retirement, she continued to mentor young people in need. She also enjoyed gathering with other retired teachers who’d become dear friends over the years. She was a strong Christian who lived her faith in all she said and did. Her life was an inspiration and example to so many people, according to her family who said, she was dearly loved and will be missed so very much.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Robert Parks.

She is survived by their two daughters, Wendy Steele and Julie Curtis; two granddaughters, Kylie and Maddie Curtis; two sisters-in-law, Ginger Lewis and Kay Fries; and one brother-in-law, Richard Parks.

She also leaves behind the “wonderful” staff at HomeLife on Glynco.  They cared for both her and her husband in their final months and provided far more than physical care—they gave love, comfort and support to the family. The family will be forever grateful.

Brunswick Memorial Park Cemetery and Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

 

Valerie Michele Johnson Counts

Atlanta—Valerie Michele Johnson Counts of Atlanta died June 2, 2023.

She was the beloved wife of Nathaniel Dwayne Counts and eldest daughter of Corine Jenkins Johnson and the late James Edward Johnson Sr.

She was a native of Jesup. From the onset of her life in 1964, until her final days on earth, she filled hearts, rooms, places and spaces with lots of joy and enormous radiance.

As a child, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Bennett Union Baptist Church in Jesup in the early 1970s. During this season of life, she learned to serve the Lord with gladness, developed a personal relationship with God, and committed to do the work of the Lord while it was yet day. Born and nurtured as a leader by her father, her mother, and the village of Wayne County, she excelled academically in school and socially throughout her community in church and various civic organizations by making continual achievements of scholastic honor, the designation of Who’s Who Amongst American High School Students, membership in the Beta Club and Future Business Leaders of America, on the yearbook staff, in the journalism club, and as an officer in the Student Government Association. She was a Miss Sweetheart contestant, an attendant on the homecoming court, and an officer of the Wayne County Youth Branch of the NAACP.

Upon graduating high school with honors in 1982, she attended the University of Georgia in Athens, where she majored in journalism and gained a sea of friends. Throughout her matriculation in college, she remained focused and determined to succeed in anything and everything that she aspired to do and or become. To that end, she graduated from the University of Georgia in 1986 and obtained the distinction of becoming the first African-American UGA graduate from Wayne County.

After obtaining her degree, she set her mind, body, soul and vehicle on the road to Atlanta to embark upon a remarkable life and an extraordinary career with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Accepting an entry-level assignment with the IRS on Feb. 8, 1987, along with two of her closest friends, was the beginning of an awesome journey. Year after year, she advanced to various levels, roles and responsibilities in senior management and built a career in government that extended to 36 years of service and ended with her final role as program director of the Automated Collection Services Division of the Internal Revenue Service.

An avid UGA and Atlanta Falcons fan, she was a season-ticket holder for more than 25 years and was the ultimate tailgater with the greatest of grilled delights.

She was also a wine connoisseur who held membership in a group called the Soulful Sipsters and basked in every opportunity to fellowship with friends and family.

In addition to her sports loyalties, she really, really loved to travel. From her road-trip ventures with her girlfriends to her many international cruises, flights and excursions, she was to be “counted in” at all times. Some of her trips abroad included Costa Rica, Panama, Hawaii, Jamaica, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Cancun, Turks and Caicos, London, Paris, Curacao, Columbia, St. Thomas-Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Mexico City, and many other wonderful locations.

In 2013 she was blessed to meet her optimal friend and confidant and the love of her life, Nathaniel “Nate” Dwayne Counts of Charleston, South Carolina.

To have her as a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, classmate, close neighbor or friend was to experience the essence of unconditional love on higher ground, her family said.    

She was preceded in death by her father, James E. Johnson Sr. and brothers, Gary Lavon Johnson and James Edward Johnson Jr.

Survivors include her husband, Nate Dwayne Counts; three stepchildren, Mahogani, Christopher and Jamya Counts; her mother, Corine J. Johnson; her sisters, Latonya Marie Johnson-Murphy and Katonya Olivia Johnson; her brother, Adair Tyrone Johnson; her sister-in-law, Adlene Johnson; her uncle, Rosby (Debbie) Lee; her aunt, Arlene (Jimmy) Cotton; a special brother-cousin, Granville (Kathy) Scott; her nieces, Quintina Johnson, Lydia Cox, Christan Johnson, Jamie Daniels and Chastity Murphy; her nephews, Gary Johnson Jr., Jeremiah Johnson, Stephen Johnson, Daniel Johnson and Amir Walker; and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, many relatives, lifelong friends, colleagues and associates.

Home-going services will take place Saturday, June 10, at noon at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest. Viewing will take place one hour prior to the start of services.

For local residents who desire to attend the home-going celebration but cannot travel to Atlanta, there will be a live-stream viewing of the service at noon on June 10 at Community Chapel Funeral Home.

George Levett & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of services.