Charles William Ambrose Sr.
Jesup—Charles William Ambrose Sr., 74, affectionately known by many as “Charlie“ died March 29, 2021, at Liberty Regional Medical Center.
A resident of Southeast Georgia for more than 18 years, he was born on Dec. 13, 1946, in Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating high school, he served his county in the United States Army, where he was appointed to numerous duty stations, including Fort Riley, Kansas, for nearly 12 years. He retired in 1990 as a sergeant first class.
He relocated to Georgia to be near the ocean and, over the years, became a true “Baltimore Redneck.” He worked several jobs in retirement, including positions on an oil rig and as a truck driver, but his heart was always in cooking. He truly loved serving others. Whether feeding hungry customers or feeding his beloved family, he was always right at home in the kitchen. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. He was a truly selfless person who always looked after the needs of others, especially his family and his wife, whom he spoiled for years, his family said.
He was preceded in death by his father, Calvert Wilbur Ambrose; his brother, Calvin; and a sister, Burnette.
Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Virginia Ambrose of Jesup; children, Hope (Jon) Cirino of Hinesville, Christina (Michael) Thorn of Ludowici, Charles William (Kymber) Ambrose of Nevarre, Florida, Kati-An Cook and companion Mark Watson of Brunswick and Westley Charles Ambrose of Jesup; mother, Margaret Ambrose of Baltimore; a sister, Nancy Jeffery of Baltimore; grandchildren, Michael, Gabriella, Ginger, Autumn, William, Roland, Phoebe, Madalyn, Grace, Stephanee, Charlie, Kira and Marissa; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended-family members.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Muriel Parrott Rogers
Jesup—Muriel Parrott Rogers died April 3, 2021, after a short battle with cancer.
The Brantley County native was the salutatorian of Jesup High School’s 1948 class. Shortly after graduation, she began working at Jordan Insurance Agency, where she spent the entirety of her career.
She was a member of Jesup First Baptist Church, where she worked as a teacher in the Special Ministry Department. Her passion, love and caring attitude of people with disabilities led to her working tirelessly to ensure that they experienced as many activities as possible and their understanding that God loved them, her family said.
If asked, she would assert that her proudest accomplishment was her family. Lovingly known as “Mema,” she was cherished by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If you asked them, she was simply “The Best.” Her steadfast love, devotion, wisdom and understanding were a rock that anchored three generations of her family. She will truly be missed by so many, her family said.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Walker Rogers; her parents, George E. and Vertie Parrott; and her grandson, Wesley Glynn Ogden.
Survivors include her children, Patricia (Glynn) Ogden of Odum, Margaret (Joseph) Roberts and John Rogers, both of Jesup; grandchildren, Betsy Davis of Jesup, Brant (Amanda) Phelps of Jesup, Caleb and Tanner Ogden of Odum; great-grandchildren, Weslynn and Prestyn Davis, Reilly and Reagan Phelps; and a brother, George Edward Parrott of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Funeral services were held April 6 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Dr. Mike VonMoss officiating. A private family burial followed in Liberty Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Caleb Ogden, Tanner Ogden, Jordan Harvey, Cody Griffis, Charles Tootle, Brant Phelps and Reilly Phelps.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First School of Jesup First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1115, Jesup, GA 31598 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1425 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ned Bryant
Jesup—Ned Bryant, 81, of Jesup died April 4, 2021.
The Coweta County native had lived in Wayne County the past 30 years and was a Baptist. He was a retired maintenance supervisor with Georgia Power Company. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting and collecting junk.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Lisa Bryant Willett; parents, Alton and Irene Bryant; and a sister, Dean Bryant Blackmon.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Linda Sutton Bryant of Jesup; a daughter, Lori (Bill) Turner of Rome; a brother, Bob (Sandra) Bryant of Whitesburg; a son-in-law, Scott Willett; three grandchildren, Matt and Ben Willett and Trey (Maddie) Turner; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Tammie and Stephen Thomas, Bennie and Sandra Sutton; and several nieces, especially Ashlyn, and nephews.
Private memorial luncheon will be held by the family very soon.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jimmy D. Lewis
Jesup—Jimmy D. Lewis—On Good Friday, April 2, 2021, Jimmy D. Lewis, a beloved husband, father and pastor of Mystery Gospel Church, died at the age of 66.
He was born Oct. 6, 1954, in Jesup to Milton Gene Lewis and Pearl Williams Lewis. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Charlene Gamble Lewis; a special friend, Michelle Flowers; his seven children, Nancy (Spencer) Davis, Rex (Jenna) Lewis, David (Ryan) Lewis, Faith (Taylor) Thornton, Silas (Rebecca) Lewis, Zeth Flowers and Brenda (Kyle) Alewine; 15 grandchildren, Erica (Anthony) Rozier, Christopher (Spencer) Davis, Samuel Lewis, Daniel Lewis, Matthew Lewis, Joseph Lewis, Lana Lewis, Ellie Lewis, Mason Thornton, Noah Thornton, Alivia Lewis, Alayna Lewis, Charlie Lewis, Barrett Alewine and Kolson Alewine; and two great-grandchildren, Bryson Rozier and Kayson Rozier.
Graveside funeral services were held April 2 in Mystery Gospel Church Cemetery with the Rev. Wayne “Rooster” Manning Jr. officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Juanita Brooker Lewis
Jesup—Juanita Brooker Lewis, 83, of Jesup died April 3, 2021.
The Brantley County native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a retired grocery store employee and former bakery assistant.
She was predeceased by her husband, Donald Lamar Lewis, and her children, Sheila Harvey, Tony Lewis and Morris Glenn Lewis.
Survivors include grandchildren, Amanda Griffin, Angel Harvey, Morris Glenn Lewis Jr., David Harvey, Heather Johnson and Virginia Russell; sisters, Geneva Goff and Shirley Simniok; brothers, Jerry (Ruby) Brooker and Leland Brooker; a daughter-in-law, Lib Lewis; 15 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and a dear friend, Diane Bradshaw.
Graveside funeral services were held April 6 in Bethesda Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Brantley officiating. Active pallbearers were her family.
The family received friends at the cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mavis Williams Highsmith
Jesup—Mavis Williams Highsmith, 86, of Jesup died April 4, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of Crossroads Church of God and a homemaker. She enjoyed gardening and decorating.
Her husband, Carl Preston Highsmith, preceded her in death, along with her parents; sisters, Merley Crummey and Pearlie Williams; and brothers, Alex Williams Jr., Dillon and Bill Williams.
Survivors include a daughter, Rita Kay Highsmith of Jesup; a grandson, Chad (Shelby) Highsmith of Jesup; sisters, Sue Shuman, Judy Kennedy and Margie Crabb, all of Jesup; and a great-grandson, Callahan Preston Highsmith.
Graveside funeral services will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Brantley officiating.
The family will receive friends at the cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ron Wilcox
Jesup—Ron Wilcox hated to be late. In his 80 years on this Earth, he insisted on being on time and preferred to be early. So it is fitting that just before Easter services started around the country on April 4, 2021, he entered into the joy of God’s presence.
He was born March 15, 1941, the eldest child of Margelene and Odis Wilcox. He was reared on the farm, cropping tobacco and picking cotton from the time he was a small child. He made some of his first spending money collecting turpentine and won a contest for corn production per acre when he was in high school.
He met Euree Johnson when he was going door-to-door selling rat poison as a fundraiser for the Future Farmers of America. But he knew early on he wasn’t going to be a farmer. He persuaded the pretty brunette to marry him just before he went off to basic training for the U.S. Army. After his military service, he spent several years making a living by doing one of the things he loved most—tinkering with and selling vehicles. From fixing tractors to selling heavy equipment, he always enjoyed getting underneath the hood and talking to people about their wheels. He learned to fly and spent several years buzzing area fields as a crop duster. He said you learned to pray better when you spent some time in the air dodging power lines.
When he was called to full-time ministry, he gave up a successful business and moved to Screven to pastor First Baptist Church. For almost a decade, he made regular trips to Jacksonville, Florida, to attend Luther Rice Seminary, driving two hours each way and sitting for hours in classrooms where he learned about the Bible in the original Greek and Hebrew. After several years and many miles, he completed his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees, but he never stopped studying and enjoyed talking about the Scriptures with anyone who would listen. He spent 25 years as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Jesup and ministered to his flock via Facebook livestream during the pandemic.
He was a gifted musician, playing guitar in a band called the Ally Cats while in high school and tickling the ivories as a pianist for gospel quartets The Shell Family and The Journeymen. He enjoyed camping and loved nothing more than to sit around a fire picking out tunes by Johnny Cash or The Gaither Band. In his 70s, he picked up the steel guitar and practiced a lot, occasionally to the consternation of his wife and children. He loved fishing and is probably pestering Jesus about wetting a line right now.
He is survived by Euree, his devoted helpmate and the love of his life. He is also survived by Rhonda Wilcox McCurtain (who inherited his bossiness—otherwise known as “leadership skills”) and her husband, Jim; Denise Stone (who carries his love of music) and her husband, Josh; and Leanne Wilcox (who exhibits his strong will). His legacy will be carried forward by his grandchildren, Angel Watts, Mary Grace Watts, Rebekah Stone, and Caleb Stone. For the last 15 years, Teresa Robinson treated him like a father, and he loved her like a daughter. His faith lives on in the lives of his siblings, Odilene Weeks and her husband, Donnie; Maxwell Wilcox and his wife, Alice; Gail Mason and her husband, Herbert; and Kathy Lord and her husband, Larry.
He was met in heaven by his parents; brother, Kenyon Wilcox; and grandson, Nathaniel Stone. He had a big heart but a failing ticker. He lived with heart disease for more than 20 years and was given loving and expert care by health care professionals too numerous to mention. His family is particularly grateful to the staff of Community Home Care for their gracious attention over the last several months.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Trinity Baptist Church, 2061 Spring Grove Road, Jesup, GA 31545; Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214, friendsofgideons.com; and The Voice of the Martyrs, 1815 SE Bison Road, Bartlesville, OK 74006, persecution.com.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, April 10, at 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 415 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546, with Brother Durwood Miller, Brother Lynn Harris and Dr. Joshua Stone officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Trinity Baptist Church and members of the Wayne County Ministerial Association. The family will receive friends an hour prior to services at the church. A private family burial will be held in the Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery in Hazlehurst.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
Janis Campbell Long
Screven—Janis Campbell Long, 80, of Screven died peacefully on April 4, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida.
She was born in Busy, Kentucky, on Nov. 17, 1940, to Herbert and Lenora (Williston) Campbell.
She was a member of Church of Christ. She was a retired insurance underwriter and loved her family, gardening and sewing.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Lenora Campbell and one brother, Owen Campbell.
Survivors include a daughter, Gayle Long of Screven; two sons, Bryon Long of Screven and Kyle (Sherry) Long of Clayton, Indiana; five grandchildren, Kevin Wilson, Nathan Wilson, Samantha Long, Deanna Long and Erin Long; three great-grandchildren, David Ponville, Hunter Teppenpaw and Kannon Wilson; two brothers, Harold Campbell of New Palestine, Indiana, Charles Campbell of Hazard, Kentucky; and two sisters, Wilma McGlaughlin of Dickson, Tennessee, and Sharon Upchurch of Lexington, Kentucky.
A small family memorial was held at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home on April 5.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jeryll E. Solomon
Jesup—Jeryll E. Solomon, 73, of Jesup died April 3, 2021.
The Ware County native had lived in Wayne County most of his life and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he was a former deacon. He retired from Rayonier and enjoyed hunting and being “Grandaddy” to his grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lonnie and Mary Alice Solomon; and a brother, Jack Solomon.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Gordon Solomon of Jesup; daughters, Lisa (J.J.) McDaniel of Acworth and Sharon (William) Melvin of Buford; a brother, Johnny (Pat) Solomon of Phoenix, Arizona; a sister, Cathy (Greg) Dowdy of Bonaire; grandchildren, Holly Melvin, Sarah and Hannah McDaniel; a great-grandson, Noah Melvin; and a sister-in-law, Dianne Owens Solomon of Jesup, Ga.
A celebration of life funeral service will be held today (Wednesday) at 3 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Vann Dempsey and the Rev. Pete Boyd officiating. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be his family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be the Mac III Sunday School Class members of Calvary Baptist Church, and the staff of Hyperbarics and Wound Care of Hinesville.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hazel Aline Barlow Gunter
Jesup—Hazel Aline Barlow Gunter, 91, of Jesup died April 5, 2021.
The Homerville native had lived in Wayne County for many years and was a member of Jesup Church of God. She was a retired licensed practical nurse.
She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Samuel J. Gunter; and her son, the Rev. J. Larry Gunter Sr.
Survivors include a daughter, Dana (Larry) Patterson of Erin, Tennessee; two sons, Randy (Teresa) Gunter of White Oak and Keith (Lisa) Gunter of Odum; a daughter-in-law, Kathleen Gunter of Blackshear; seven grandchildren, Larry (Teresa) Gunter II, Bridgette (Greg) Taylor, Randy (Melanie) Gunter II, Brandi Gunter, Jamie (Ashley) Patterson, Anna (Brian Richardson) Patterson and Bethany Gunter; 11 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; her lunch group, “The Wild Bunch” Alice Michelin, Judy Price, Patricia Lamb, Pat Ruley, Renee Johnson; and special friends, Betty Moxley and Joy Lynn.
Graveside funeral services will be held Friday (April 9) at 11 a.m. in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with pastors Leroy Spivey and Scott Hatten officiating.
Visitation will be held 30 minutes prior to services at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jesup Church of God, 444 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mavis Arnett
Jesup—Mavis Arnett of Jesup died April 6, 2021, at Harborview Health Systems of Jesup.
Funeral arrangements are being made through Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home, which will have details on its website.
See next Wednesday’s edition for a full obituary.