Richard “Dickey” Earl Franklin
Screven—Richard “Dickey” Earl Franklin, 72, of Screven died Oct. 13, 2021.
The Wayne County native and U.S. Army veteran, and was a member of Iron Workers Local No. 387. The outdoorsman loved to hunt and fish. He adored his great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Louise Franklin; sister, Grace; and brother, Billy.
Survivors include a daughter, Denise Franklin of Jesup; a grandson, Andrew (Danyela) Graham of Screven; a couple of great-grandchildren, Michael and Kami-Mae Graham; a sister, JoAnn Bennett of Screven; a brother, Leland Franklin of Jesup; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held Oct. 15 in Odum City Cemetery with Wayne Crosby officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Eleanor Dukes Hedrick
Jesup—Eleanor Dukes Hedrick, 79, of Jesup died Oct. 15, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of Jesup Primitive Baptist Church and retired ITT Rayonier employee. She enjoyed her church work, family and helping others.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Dean Hedrick; her brother, Elder David Dukes; and her sister, Annette McCoy.
Survivors include three sons, Gary (Diane) Hedrick of Montague, Michigan, Mike (Jeannee) Hedrick of Hortense and David (Amy) Hedrick of Jesup; two sisters, Tillie (Herman) Lewis of Jesup and Sallie (Ted) James of Dahlonega; six grandchildren, Jerry (Erin) Hedrick, Eric (Kate) Hedrick, Melissa (Jeff) Metz, Katie Jo (Trevor) Johnson, Megan (Josh) Grigsby and Caroline (Dustin) Pittman; several great-grandchildren; several nieces, including two special nieces, Ginger Pumpelly and Kim Fennel; several nephews, including special nephew Junior (Brenda) Lewis; and a great-nephew, Garrett (Hanna) Lewis.
Graveside funeral services were held Oct. 19 at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with Elder Keith Tillman officiating. Active pallbearers were John Ginn, Herman Lewis Jr., Garrett Lewis, Steve Wilcher, Mike Hill and Jeff Tillman.
In lieu of flowers, her request for memorials is to go to the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia, 4627 U.S. Hwy. 17 N., Brunswick, GA 31525.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Laurie Kay Yoder
Jesup—Laurie Kay Yoder, 30, and her infant daughter, Rebekah Louise Yoder, died Oct. 14, 2021.
She was born on Sept. 3, 1991, in Jesup to Robert and Mary Lois Yoder. She was married to Jason Yoder of St. Johns, Michigan, on April 4, 2020. The couple are residents of Loveland, Colorado, and members of Redeemed Community Church, in Greeley, Colorado.
She loved children and babies and was called “the baby whisperer” by her family. She was especially loved by her nieces and nephews. She overcame many obstacles, and her life was a testimony to her love and faith in Jesus. She adored her husband, Jason, and was fulfilling her dreams of making a home and living life with her soulmate.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Yoder, and a sister, Rebekah Yoder.
She is survived by her husband, Jason Yoder of Loveland; her mother, Mary Lois (Kauffman) Yoder of Jesup; three sisters and four brothers, Sonya (Marcus) Miller and Rod (Jena) Yoder, all of Jesup, Mary Jo (Wendell) Huyard, Ben (Clarita) Yoder, Chris (Ali) Yoder, and Bethany (Chad) Nissley, all of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Nathan (Melissa) Yoder of Punta Gorda, Florida; 25 nieces and nephews; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Freeman and Mary Yoder, of St. Johns; seven sisters-in-law, Amanda Yoder, Elva May (Seth) Marquardt, Frieda Joy (Andrew) Peterson, Joann (Levi) Hebert, Rhoda Ella (James) White, Amy Grace Yoder, and Jessica Yoder; and five nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 10 a.m. at Jesup Church of God, 444 Sunset Blvd. Graveside services will follow at the Lake Grace Mennonite Cemetery, 5393 Odum-Screven Road, Jesup.
Active pallbearers will be Rod Yoder, Ben Yoder, Chris Yoder, Nathan Yoder, Marcus Miller, Wendell Huyard, Chad Nissley and Carey Hershey.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
James Hayden Chesnutt
Jesup—James Hayden Chesnutt, 66, of Jesup died Sept. 27, 2021 at Table Rock Assistant Living after a long illness.
The Wayne County native attended Wayne County Junior High and later worked in Brunswick in construction jobs.
He lived for 10 years in Oregon and attended the River Valley Christian Church in Grants Pass, Oregon. He volunteered at the Grants Pass Gospel Mission as a cook for two years.
He was predeceased by his parents, Alvin H. Chesnutt and Lucille Chesnutt; a brother, Alvin H. Chesnutt Jr.; and a sister, Diane Chesnutt.
Survivors include a previous wife, Julie Carter; a son, Ernie Chesnutt; three grandchildren; two sisters, Evelyn Chesnutt and Cathy Chesnutt of Oregon; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.
He loved life and nobody was a stranger to him. He enjoyed working in the yard, building things, Western movies, fishing, dancing and singing along with his cousin, Mark Chesnutt, the country and Western singer.
At a later date, a family memorial will be held.
The family said, “We will all miss you, but we know you’re with Jesus and the angels. As long as those who love you are still alive, so are you, because you’re forever in our hearts.”
Conger and Morris Funeral Home in Medford, Oregon, is in charge of arrangements.