Coris Ruth
Stapleton McCall
Savannah—Coris Ruth Stapleton McCall, 89, of Savannah died March 29, 2021, at her home in Savannah Square Senior Living Community.
She was a Lumber City High School graduate and obtained her bachelor’s degree from Georgia Teacher’s College. She taught elementary school in Wayne County for 30 years and was known for playing the piano and singing with her students in her classroom.
She attended Altamaha Baptist Church and was a member of the Love Thy Neighbor Sunday School Class. She enjoyed her waterfront coast home, cooking for her family, and spending time with her grandchildren. She also loved sharing her memories of living in Germany while her husband was stationed there.
She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Thomas McCall Sr.; her parents, William Marcus and Jewel Thompson Stapleton Sr.; her daughter, Glenna McCall Riggins; and four brothers, William Marcus Stapleton Jr., Robert Eugene Stapleton, David Roger Stapleton and Willard Harold Stapleton.
Survivors include two daughters, Valerie McCall (Sam) Bradford of Guyton and Christie L. McCall of Savannah; a son, Robert “Rob” Thomas (Beth) McCall Jr. of Odum; and three grandchildren, Gabriel McCall of Atlanta, Carson McCall (Blaine) Paul of Statesboro and Bolen McCall of Odum.
Graveside services will be held today (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. in the Jesup City Cemetery with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
The family will receive visitors 30 minutes prior to the service at the cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Reba Buie
Ring Dysert
Odum—Reba Buie Ring Dysert, 93, of Odum died March 25, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of the Church of God and retired sales clerk with several stores including Kmart and Red Anderson Jewelry of Savannah. She loved gardening, making crafts and always looking her best.
She was predeceased by former husbands, Genell Ring and Homer Dysert; a son, Wayne Ring; and a grandson, Jeff Dart.
Survivors include two daughters, Joyce Ring Lastinger of Jesup and Helen Ring Purvis of Jacksonville, Florida; two brothers, Thomas (Jo) Buie of Rincon and Laverne Buie of Hoboken; one sister, Juanita (Hilliard) Knowles of Marietta; three grandchildren, DeAnna Dart, Shawna DeOsco and Brian Ring; great-grandchildren, Jeffrey and Josh Dart, Jeni and Jodi Westberry, Matthew DeOsco, and Jordan Ring; eight great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life services were held March 28 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gladwin Harper officiating. Interment was in Odum Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family. Honorary pallbearers were Hospice of South Georgia employees with special designation for Sarah Vail and Joel Cason.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Charles W.
“Chick” Pye
Jesup—Charles W. “Chick” Pye, 79, of Jesup died March 23, 2021
The Wayne County native was a member of New Hope Freewill Baptist Church and retired from Murphy’s Builders Supply. He was a 1959 Jesup High School graduate.
Farming, including sharing what he grew, was an enjoyment of his life, as well as watching his daughter’s softball career.
He was predeceased by his parents, James Wilton and Minnie Fulton Pye, and a brother, Thomas C. Pye.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Sandra Edenfield Pye of Jesup; daughter, Carla (Corey) Winn of Bristol; granddaughter, Carlon Winn; and sister-in-law, Kathy Crosby Pye of Jesup.
Funeral services were held March 26 from New Hope Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Horne and the Rev. Jimmy Lord officiating. Pallbearers were family and friends. Interment was in New Hope Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to New Hope Church Cemetery Fund, 455 Ogden Loop, Odum, GA. 31555.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James “Larry”
Aspinwall
Jesup—James “Larry” Aspinwall, 71, of Jesup died March 27, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and a 42-year retiree with Rayonier of Jesup. He enjoyed camping and being “Poppy” to all of his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Pam Waters Aspinwall of Jesup; two daughters, Erica (Dan) Brown of San Diego, California, and Emily Aspinwall of Jesup; a sister, Linda Gutzwiller of Jesup; and grandchildren, Sydney and Harrison Brown, Grae, Calloway, Warner and Dade Jones.
Private family graveside services are being held in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with Pastor Vann Dempsey officiating. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers and food, memorials are requested to Adult Teen Challenge of the Smokies Men’s Center, 338 Living Hope Way, Franklin, NC 28734.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
David Andrew Hirvela
Jesup—David Andrew Hirvela, 90, of Jesup died peacefully at home in his sleep in the company of his children on March 26, 2021, after watching his old favorite Westerns, wartime movies and television shows.
He was born in Tono, Washington, and was a graduate of nearby Centralia High School and Centralia College with a degree in forestry. After college, he joined the National Guard of Washington, which was later activated for wartime service in the Korean War. He was then transferred to Fort Stewart to train for the war in Korea. While at Fort Stewart, he obtained a military qualification as an expert in marksmanship with a .30-caliber carbine. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1952.
He met his future wife, Glenna O’Quinn, in front of the Strand Theater in Jesup, as she was standing in line with her cousin to buy tickets to the movies. It is told that David and his soldier buddy spotted the two beautiful girls in line and ran ahead of the girls to pay for their tickets. The two soldiers immediately sat behind the girls in the movie theater, and after the movie was over, David was able to get Glenna’s phone number from the ticket collector. It is said that David called her numerous times before she would talk to him, and eventually she spoke to the soldier, who was a very long way from home. They were married thereafter in 1951 and enjoyed 45 years of marriage together.
He then became a new resident of Jesup, helping to build the Rayonier plant on the bluffs of the Altamaha River. He later became the assistant postmaster of the Jesup Post Office and retired in 1985, after 33 years of service.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Jesup. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a founding member of the Jesup Skeet Club and later a member of the Odum Gun Club. He also enjoyed participating in numerous skeet shooting matches and enjoyed shooting skeet with many of the local skeet shooters, and because of his skill, his efforts culminated with his participation in the World Championship Skeet Shoot at the Forest City Gun Club in Savannah in 1973. He also enjoyed reloading his own ammo.
He loved organic gardening and maintained a year-round garden at his residence.
He was predeceased by his parents, John Oscar Hirvela and Lempi Pisila Hirvela of Tono, Washington; his in-laws, George D. O’Quinn and Verdie Ogden O’Quinn; his wife, Glenna O’Quinn Hirvela; his brother, John Hirvela; his sister, Ione Hirvela Eutsler Flaherty; brothers-in-law, Leo Eutsler and Marvin Flaherty of Seattle, Washington; his sister, Elene (“Jody”) Hirvela Willey, and brother-in-law, Clark Willey of Seattle, Washington; a brother-in-law, Lonnie O’Quinn of Jesup; a sister-in-law, Maxine O’Quinn Partin; and another brother-in-law, Bill Partin of Gainesville.
Survivors include a daughter, Helen Hirvela Aberle of Jesup, and grandchildren Alexis Aberle of Washington, D.C., and Julianne Aberle of Charlotte, North Carolina; a daughter, Nancy Hirvela Kolar, and son-in-law, David Kolar, of Troy, Michigan, and grandchildren Quinn Kolar of Lansing, Michigan, and John Kolar of Troy, Michigan; a son, John David Hirvela, and daughter-in-law, Monica Olivares Hirvela, of Conroe, Texas, and grandchildren Glenna Hirvela of Dallas, Texas, and John Duncan Hirvela and Kennedy Hirvela of Conroe, Texas; a son, George O’Quinn Hirvela, and daughter-in-law, Susan Carter Hirvela, of Carrollton and grandchildren Mary Hirvela Cornelius (Matt Cornelius) of Greenville, South Carolina, and Steve Hirvela of Carrollton; a sister-in-law, Julia O’Quinn Burk, and a brother-in-law, Jack Burk of Fernandina Beach, Florida, and a sister-in-law, Callie Tillman O’Quinn of Jesup; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved cats.
The family wishes to thank all of the Hospice of South Georgia “angels” who helped him during his illness, with a special thanks to Rebecca Webre, Joel Cason, Paulette Parker, Michael Altman, and special helper Teneeshia Davis.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of South Georgia (1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545), Friendship Baptist Church (209 Friendship Church Road, Odum, GA 31555); or First United Methodist Church (205 East Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546).
Graveside services (with social distancing) will be held on Saturday, April 3, at 11 a.m. in the cemetery at Friendship Baptist Church, Odum, with visitation with the family at graveside one half hour (10:30 a.m.) prior to the graveside services. The Rev. Melvin Lane and the Rev. Fred Anderson will officiate.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Katrina Corry Lynn
Jesup—Katrina “Booge” Corry Lynn, 26, of Jesup died suddenly on March 23, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a mother and homemaker and enjoyed the beach. She was predeceased by her mother, Monica Spradley Corry.
Survivors include her children, Raylee Henry, Wyatt Brown and Trace Lynn, all of Jesup; her father, Joe David Corry Sr. of Jesup; a sister, Krista (Lucien) Cortez of Jesup; two brothers, David (Marla) Corry and Josh Corry, both of Jesup; a special best friend, Angel Beckman of Jesup; and many extended relatives.
Funeral services were held March 27 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Joe Manning officiating. Interment followed in Manningtown Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family and friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James (Jimmy)
Edgar Parker III
Ludowici—James (Jimmy) Edgar Parker III, of Long County, died March 22, 2021, at his home surrounded by his dearly loved family.
Born on Dec. 7, 1933, he was preceded in death by his parents, James (Jim) E. Parker Jr. and Lemma Victoria Wells Parker, and a sister, Mary Ida Parker Tatum.
He lettered in both basketball and baseball at Brewton-Parker College and the University of Georgia. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served 1955-1957. He was a retired farmer and owner of Broadleaf Timber and Vinzant Hunting Club. He was considered by many as a leader in the forest products industry throughout east Georgia for many years and a good steward of his own timberland.
He was a member of Jones Creek Baptist Church, where he served as church treasurer for 31 years and was a deacon emeritus. He served on a number of boards of directors, and committees, including the board of directors and foundation board of Coastal Pines Technical College (Formerly Altamaha Technical College), Coastal Soil and Water Conservation Committee, Selective Service Board, Private Industrial Council (PIC), the boards of directors of Ludowici Bank and The Glennville Bank, and the Long County Industrial Authority.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years and 11 months (April 23), Margaret Ann Eubank, originally of Columbia County; children, Vicki Parker of Thomson, Marianne Parker of Atlanta, Jack Eubank (Sarah) Parker of Savannah, and James Gregory (Debbie) Parker of Reidsville; grandchildren, Kate Parker (Will) Routh of Vidalia, Jim Parker of Reidsville, and Jessica, Jackson and Sam Parker, all of Savannah; and a brother-in-law, Ryle Tatum, of Statesboro.
Private family graveside services were held at Jones Creek Memorial Cemetery on March 25 with the Rev. Julian Ward and the Rev. Allan Pierce officiating. Jones Creek Baptist Church held a live-stream of the service on its Facebook page.
Eddie Dasher, Lloyd DeFoor, Marvin DeLoach, Steve Dwyer, Glenn Golden, Wesley Johnson, James Kennedy, Craig Nobles, Bill Parker, Charlie Parker, Dan Parker, Steven Parker, Kent Tatum and Ron Walcott served as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Jones Creek Baptist Church, 69 Jones Creek Loop NW, Ludowici, GA 31316. Owing to COVID-19 concerns, no visitation or public service is planned.
The family said it appreciates continued thoughts and prayers. Friends may express condolences and sign the guest book at rinehartandsons.com.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Herbert Griffis
Jesup—Herbert Griffis, 75, died March 24, 2021, at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born on March 12, 1946, to the late Clarence and Miriam Herrin Griffis. He was a contractor by trade who built houses for many years before his retirement nearly 20 years ago.
He was a longtime member of Altamaha Baptist Church and the Little Okefenokee Hunting Club. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting almost any kind of animal alongside his beloved hunting dogs.
When he wasn’t in the woods or working, he cherished the time spent with his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his four siblings, Jeanette Jones, Cecil Griffis, Albert Griffis and JoAnne Smith, and his daughter-in-law, Becky Griffis.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Draudy Griffis; a son, Herbie Griffis; a daughter and son-in-law, Ginger and Jeff Hall; grandchildren, Justin and Josh Hall and Kirby and Cody Griffis; great-grandchildren, Landi Griffis, Jaelyn “Boo” Hall, Easton Hall and Jedd Hall all of Jesup; sisters, Imogene Teston of Augusta, Kathleen Purcell of Jesup and Noodie Bennett of Jesup; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members.
Funeral services were held March 26 at Altamaha Baptist Church with the Rev. Calvin Anderson and the Rev. George Moxley officiating.
Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Steve Bennett, Ricky Purcell, Kelvin Griffis, Allen Griffis, Wade Teston and Valdine Griffis. Honorary pallbearers were members of Little Okefenokee Hunting Club.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Altamaha Baptist Church, 6622 Oglethorpe Road, Jesup, GA 31545.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Tommy Ben Poppell
Jesup—Tommy Ben Poppell, 57, died March 25, 2021, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia and surrounded by his loving family.
A resident of Jesup for the past 30 years and former resident of Sumter, South Carolina, and McIntosh County, he was born on June 13, 1963, in Hinesville to the late Tom and Marcella Ryals Poppell.
He worked in the collision repair industry as a body technician for nearly 45 years, ending his career with B&C Collision Center in Screven. He loved his country and his family. Spending time with the ones he loved was his favorite thing to do. They passed the days leisurely playing corn hole, four-wheeling and mud-bogging but, more than anything else, just being together.
Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Tammy Poppell; daughters, Jessica (Timothy) Miller and Marcella (John) Elder, all of Jesup; sons, Tom (Samantha) Poppell and Nicholas Poppell, all of Jesup; sisters, Suzanne Dubose of Sumter, South Carolina, and Sheila Howard of Crescent; a brother, Rodney Poppell of Jesup; and grandchildren, Layla Miller, Lily Elder, Tyler Manning, Katie Elder, Colton Miller, John Elder, Taelynn Miller and Tommy Poppell; and a host of honorary grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Graveside funeral services were held March 27 at the Poppell Family Cemetery on Briar Branch Drive with the Rev. Dwayne Bray officiating.
Active pallbearers were Charlie Howard, Corinthians Reed, Colby Reed, Joshua Poppell, David Mitchell, Jonathan Bray, Dillon Bray and Jonathan Bennett.
Howard-Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James Robert “Bobby” Ryon Jr.
Hinesville—James Robert “Bobby” Ryon Jr., 65, died March 20, 2021.
Born in Savannah to Bob and Carolyn Ryon, he lived in Hines-ville or Liberty County all his life. He was a proud graduate of Bradwell Institute’s class of 1974.
He was a “gentle giant” and a true friend to many, his family said. He was an avid sports fan and loved hunting, fishing and tinkering in his shop. As a player, spectator (especially if his children were playing) and coach, he could be heard telling the umpires and referees how to do their job!
He was known as a true leader, and he demonstrated that through his service to others. He loved Hines-ville and Liberty County and wanted to help in whatever capacity he was able. His gift was to serve and serve he did. He was a former City of Hinesville council member and served in various capacities in many organizations, including the boards of the Liberty County Hospital Authority, the Liberty County Recreation Department, the United Way of the Coastal Empire(Liberty County Chapter), the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, Diversity Health Clinic, the Hinesville Housing Authority, the Independent Telephone Pioneers Association and the Coastal Utilities Pioneers Club.
Many may say that his greatest love was his family. Those who knew him best know his greatest love was the Lord. His faith and walk with God was important to him, and he wanted to share that with friends and strangers alike. He was an active member of the Hinesville First United Methodist Church and served in many leadership roles at the church over the years. He loved his Sunday school class, where he was honored to serve as president. He and his family also attended Flemington Presbyterian Church, where his youngest daughter is active in the youth programs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Carolyn Ryon.
Survivors include his wife, Kim Ryon; his children, Jennifer (Dana) Long, Stephen Ryon, Riley Davis, Peyton Davis and Bradi Ryon; grandchildren (whom he adored), Hadley Long, Mallory Long and Addison Tompkins; a sister, René (Jay) Harwell; nephew, Jim (Lauren) Weil; an aunt, Dorothy Harper; and a host of cousins, nephews and dear friends.
Funeral services were held March 26 at Gum Branch Baptist Church. He was buried in the
Hinesville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hinesville First United Methodist Building Fund, 203 North Main Street, Hinesville, GA 31313 or Flemington Presbyterian Church, 875 Old Sunbury Road, Hinesville, GA 31313.
Friends and family may share a memory or leave a condolence at www.carteroglethorpe.com.
Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel was in charge of arrangements.