Jeanette Wise Dill
Jesup—Jeanette Wise Dill, 84, died suddenly on Aug. 22, 2023, at Memorial Health University in Savannah.
A resident of Jesup for the past 25 years, she was born on May 15, 1939, in Savannah. Her artistic abilities made her a natural at selling cosmetics. She sold Merle Norman cosmetics and worked as a makeup artist for many years.
She was also a talented painter and singer, having performed with her late husband in several bands, including the Crimson Rose Gospel Group. She was inspired by nature and loved painting castles, beach scenes and lighthouses. She loved flowers, especially red roses, and she cherished the time spent with her beloved family.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Cleo Wise; her husband, Ralph Valentine Dill; a daughter, Abbie Hinton; two sons, Alan and Alvin Hinton; and two brothers, Anthony and Richey.
Survivors include her daughters, Jeanine (Chris) Brabham of Ellalbell, Penny (James) Burrage of Jesup, Margie (Robert) Vangiller, Debra (Chris) Dixon of Jesup; a son, Noah (Brooke) Hinton of Jesup; a sister, Algerine Largent; a brother, Dewey (Peggy) Wise; a host of grandchildren; multiple great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members, including the apple of her eye, great-grandson Ralphy Drew Hinton.
Funeral services were held Aug. 25 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with a longtime friend, the Rev. Mark Downs, officiating.
Interment followed in Sunset Oaks Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Noah Hinton, Gage O’Neal, Brice Hadlock, Sunny Huynh, Tommy Huynh and Christopher Brabham.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Betty Strickland Bennett
Jesup—Betty Strickland Bennett, 91, of Jesup died Aug. 25, 2023.
The Wayne County native was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and enjoyed all church activities, word search puzzles, reading and watching old Westerns. She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Leroy Bennett, and sons, Gary Alan Bennett and Charles Robert Bennett.
Survivors include a daughter, Kay (Jay) Aske, and a son, Ronnie (Patricia) Bennett, both of Jesup; a daughter-in-law, Ann Bennett of Jesup; three grandchildren, Tony Bennett, Keith (Marie) Bennett and Magen (Andrew) Barnes; and a great- grandchild, Ian Bennett.
Funeral services were held Aug. 28 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Clayton Dowd officiating. Private family burial will follow in the Spring Grove Cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Emily Groover
Jesup—Emily Groover died Aug. 21, 2023.
She was a dearly loved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. Born March 26, 1942, in Apopka, Florida, she then moved to Wayne County at the age of 15, where she has resided since. Here she met her lifelong love, Jack Groover, and was married for 66 years.
She came to know Christ at the age of 15, and as a young mother, she taught her children the joys of following Him. While nurturing the faith of her own family, she was also a faithful servant to the body of Christ as a Sunday school teacher, ladies ministry leader, choir member and true worshiper.
She was known as master seamstress, paraprofessional at Fort Stewart, and a creative homemaker.
But her greatest joy and legacy in life was the testimony of her four children and many grandchildren’s love and surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Her family said that “as a woman of steadfast prayer, devotion, and affection for Jesus, we are confident that on Aug. 21, 2023, she entered into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior and heard, ‘Well done, thy good and faithful servant.’”
She was preceded in death by her father, John Chrysler; her mother, Marie Chrysler; a son-in-law, Ricky Poppell; a sister, Shirley Ormandy; and a grandson, Brandon Holt.
Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Jack Groover of Jesup; a daughter, Sherle (Jeff) Holt of Avon Park, Florida; a son, Tim (Annette) Groover of Jesup; a daughter, Cathy Poppell of Jesup; a son, Mark (Gina) Groover of Sarasota, Florida; grandchildren, Jonathan (Taylor), Nick, Alissa, Caleb, Jacob (Carlie), Seth (Taylor), Caitlyn (Dylan), Joel, Ben, Chandler (Sarah), Ashton, Ethan and Addison; great-grandchildren, Aden, Dallas, Kinsleigh, Aurora, Paxton, Jep, Harper, Beckham and Gabriel; a sister, Margaret Robinson of Jesup; a brother, Charles Chrysler of Jesup; and several nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral services were held Aug. 24 at Jesup Church of God with Pastor Scott Hatten and her family officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her grandsons.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ernestine Wheeler Hyatt
Hinesville—Ernestine Wheeler Hyatt, 91, of Hines-ville died Aug. 22, 2023.
The Long County native was a Baptist and homemaker. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan known for her giving spirit. Sharing was her “love language”.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Adel “Shorty” Hyatt; her daughter, Linda Huffman; and several siblings.
Survivors include a daughter, Wanda Braddock of Hinesville; four grandchildren, Mikell (Windye) Holland, George (Melissa) Guyett, Natalie (Chris) Dohler and Jeffery Braddock; several great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held Aug. 25 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Robert Long officiating. Private family burial followed in the Elim Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family and friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
Jimmy Plunkett
Jesup—Jimmy Plunkett, 64, of Jesup and formerly of Flowery Branch died Aug. 22, 2023.
He was a Christian and a retired employee with Sam’s Club of Gainesville. He was a master collector of organized trinkets and treasures. This simple man had a large heart for people around him and was selfless even when it came to animals, his family said.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and Rosemary Lane; a sister, Susan Sellers; and two brothers, Tommy Plunkett and Earl Lane.
Survivors include two sisters, Lisa (Clay) Kicklighter and Tammy Gosnell; five brothers, Eddy (Linda) Lane Jr., Clinton (Jackie) Lane, Billy Joe (Brenda) Lane, Gary Plunkett and David (Sandy) Plunkett; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Aug. 25 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Bob Richardson officiating. Private family burial followed in the Odessa Cemetery. Active pallbearers were his family and friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ward Parmalee Riggins Jr.
Jesup—Ward Parmalee Riggins Jr., 98, died peacefully on Aug. 22, 2023, at the At Home Assisted Living Facility in Jesup under the care of Hospice of South Georgia Inc., and his loving family.
A lifelong resident of Jesup, he was born on Jan. 16, 1925, the second child of the late Ward Parmalee and Ruby Broadhurst Riggins. He spent his early years in Jesup and was a graduate of Jesup High School before continuing his education at Auburn University in Alabama and then graduating in 1948 from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Upon graduation, he married the first love of his life, Jeanette Barbee. They were married for 29 years until her passing. He served as a naval officer and celestial navigator, an undefeated champion boxer, and an active midshipman during the Korean War. After serving for 10 years, he returned to Jesup to help manage his family’s business, the Strand and Jesup Drive-In theaters, which were started by his father in 1924 and 1948, respectively.
He continued to manage the theaters after the passing of his parents. In 1982, he married the second love of his life, Mitzi Nooney, to whom he was also married for 29 years, until her passing.
He will be remembered for his good nature and his spot-on one-liners. He was a member of Jesup First United Methodist Church for more than 90 years and was a past president of Jesup Kiwanis Club. He spent many years in service as a “Pink Lady” at Wayne Memorial Hospital, bringing warmth and cheer to its patients, and was a founding member of the Jesup Liar’s Club.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sarah; wife Jeanette; wife Mitzi; stepdaughter, Nanci Drake; stepson, David Nooney; and grandson, Stephen Drake.
Survivors include his son Ward “Skipper” (Leslie) Riggins of Jesup; his daughter, Connie Riggins (Mike) of Richmond Hill; his son Bobby Riggins of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; a stepdaughter, Suzi Nooney (Judy); a stepson, Patrick (Ronda) Nooney; a former daughter-in-law, Lisa Nooney Arnold; nieces Cathy (Jeff) Barker, Cindy (Kevin) Peeples, Ann Warner and Ellen Clary; a nephew, Tom (Sue) Clary; grandchildren, Noelle (Sean) Lykins, Dylan Nooney, Chritopher Stanfield, David Nooney, Tony Nooney; a great-grandson, Elias Lykins; a grand-niece, Katie Clary; a grandnephew, Paul Clary; and great-grandnephews, Noah and Sam Clary.
Ward’s family wishes to express its appreciation to Hospice of South Georgia Inc. and At Home of Jesup for all the loving care he received throughout the years.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Peggy May
Blackshear—Peggy May, 55, of Blackshear died July 11, 2023, at her residence after an extended illness.
She was born in Jesup to Roy William and Marie Elsia Pierce Wiggins. She was a very devoted and loving mother and grandmother who loved family gatherings and being around all her family. She loved to read, do crossword puzzles, and play solitaire on her phone. She always cherished the times she had sitting around the campfire, talking and “shooting the breeze” with Ms. Nora and Mrs. Virginia.
She loved animals, God, “tater” salad and Tina’s banana pudding, which she would ask her to make quite regularly. One could find her on any given day, playing baby dolls with Verdee.
Her family will remember her as being very determined and strong-willed. She also loved spending time with her lifelong friend, Ms. Sondra, and staying with her sister, Wendy.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Krystal May; a brother, Ted Wiggins; her longtime companion, Robert “Pork Chop” Parker; and a brother-in-law, Eddie Parker.
Survivors include a son, Thomas (Tina) May of Blackshear; a daughter, Katrina May of Jesup; and 11 grandchildren, Chayann May, Miracle Fournier of Blackshear, Emily Sweat, Nevaeh Moger, Major and Naomi Cartwright of Jesup, Dee “Phat Man” Denton, Kyrie Denton, and Verdee Denton, all of Blackshear, and Daliha and Nikko Batten of Blackshear; her parents, Roy and Marie Wiggins of Jesup; a brother, Roger (Sonya) Wiggins of Swansea, South Carolina; three sisters, Wendy Clay of Jesup, April (Robbie) Finch of Jesup and Chasity (Garrett) Smith of Baxley; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A memorial service was held July 16 in the Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made online to The American Cancer Society.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at milesodumfuneralhome.com.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jerry Tracy Britt
Jesup—Jerry Tracy Britt, 67, of Jesup and formerly of Baxley, died Aug. 26, 2023, at Candler Hospital of Savannah.
He was born Aug. 17, 1956, in Appling County to the late Cecil Thomas Britt and Opal Loretta (Smith) Britt. He was a member of the Baxley Church of God and was an incredibly loving and remarkable man, according to his family. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Eursly Britt, and his brother, Carl Britt.
Survivors include his sisters, Jo Scott of Cleveland, Tennessee and Bonnie (Michael) Roberts of Jesup; a brother, Spencer (Sara Jo) Britt of Millen; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Aug. 29 from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home with the Rev. David Deen officiating. Interment followed in Omega Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jeremy Britt, Ronin Dunham, Ray Sellers, Cliff Finley, Carlton Britt and Dustin Dunham.
Swain Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.