• Howard
Kenneth Eugene Grantham
Jesup—Kenneth Eugene Grantham, 69, died Sept. 24, 2025, at Hospice of South Georgia IPU.
Born in Waycross, he lived in Wayne County most of his life. He was a painter and home remodeler who also enjoyed outdoor work and mowing. He loved animals, particularly his cats. He had recently accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior .
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Bobby Grantham and Junior Grantham.
Survivors include his daughter, Crystal (Sergio) Martinez of North Carolina; sisters, Barbara Stoddard of Jesup and Katina Lee of Sparta; brothers, Larry (Robin) Grantham of Vidalia, Billy Grantham of Jesup, Marvin (Laura) Grantham of Brunswick, Tony Grantham of Hickox and Clay (Martha) Poss of Chapin, South Carolina; a special close friend, Terry; grandchildren, Alexis, Angelina, Janet, Brian and Eli; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Sept. 26 at Blanton Grove Church of God, with the Rev. Mark Griffis officiating. Burial was in Piney Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Dylan Stoddard, Buster Stoddard, Craig Gran-tham, Brian Grantham, Sergio Martinez and Blayne Herrin.
Remembrances are suggested to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici was in charge of arrangements.
• Rinehart & Sons
Diane Driskell Welch
Jesup—Diane Driskell Welch, 87, of Jesup died Sept. 25, 2025, in Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient Unit.
The Ware County native had lived in Wayne County most of her adult life and was a member of Jesup First Baptist Church and the Laverne Bennett Sunday School Class. She helped with special needs in vacation Bible School and the Meals on Wheels Ministry.
After retiring from Kmart, she was a Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Twigs Bookstore volunteer. Reading and traveling were favorite pastimes, but her family was most important to her.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Royce Welch; her parents, Lillian “Dootsie” Driskell and Everett Driskell; and a sister, Gerri Green.
Survivors include three daughters, Gerri Rozar of Douglas, Dana (Tol) Wade of Medina, Ohio, and Kay (Carey) Surrency of Jesup; a son, Jimmy (Lynnah) Welch of Jesup; six grandchildren, Justin (Jen) Wade, Erin Wade, Parker Welch, Glenn (Savannah) Welch, Sam (Hannah Lee) Surrency and Griffin (Ellie Townsend) Surrency; and four great-grandchildren, Kyle, Emma and Nathan Wade and William Welch.
Funeral services were held Sept. 28 at Rinehart Chapel with Pastor Brooks Haddock officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jesup First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1115, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
June Kirksey Breazeale
Jesup—June Kirksey Breazeale, 98, of Jesup died on Sept. 26, 2025, in the Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient Unit.
The Colquitt native and former resident of Ludowici had lived in Wayne County the past years and was an active member of Jesup Church of God and the Sanctuary Sunday School Class. She was known as the “Hugger” in her community and had talents as a wonderful cook in the kitchen and as a seamstress.
She enjoyed Christian music and witnessing for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
She was preceded in death by husbands, Earl Gordon Sr. and Don Breazeale; a daughter, Sue Ann; parents, Leon and Thelma Kirksey; a brother, Ward Kirksey; and sisters, Othel and Barbara Ann Kirksey.
Survivors include five daughters, Gail Williamson of Athens, Sharon (Bobby) Joiner of Dublin, Annita (Joe) Mills of Richmond Hill, Beverly Voight of Ludowici and Barbara (Huey) Sellers of St. Simons Island; a son, Dwight (Kay) Gordon Jr. of Ludowici; two brothers, Simeon Kirksey and Terry Kirksey; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Sept. 29 at Rinehart Chapel with Pastor Scott Hatten and the Rev. Clayton Dowd officiating. Interment followed in Concord Cemetery in Ludowici.
Active pallbearers were her grandsons, Jay Mills, Dr. Eric Williamson, Jason Williamson, Donnie Gordon, Dwight Gordon III and Brad Joiner. Honorary pallbearers were the Senior Adult Sunday School Class members of Jesup Church of God.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of arrangements.
Capt. Joel Hayward Smith
Jesup—Capt. Joel Hayward Smith, 76, devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather, died Sept. 26, 2025, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
A native and lifelong resident of Jesup, he graduated from Wayne County High School in 1968, where he was a member of the Yellow Jacket football team and fondly remembered by his classmates. He went on to pursue a distinguished 35-year career in law enforcement with the City of Jesup Police Department, earning the rank of captain before his retirement. Known for his compassion and fairness, he embodied his belief that “we are our brother’s keeper.”
During his career, he was honored as Officer of the Year, cross-trained with EMS and fire services to become a public safety officer, and served as a leader in the DARE program, guiding and mentoring the youth of Wayne County.
A man of strong faith, he was a faithful member of Altamaha Baptist Church, attending regularly until his health declined. He lived his faith daily through kindness, service and devotion to his community, his family said.
Beyond his professional and spiritual life, he enjoyed fishing, working in the yard, studying history, engaging in thoughtful political discussions, and, most of all, spending time with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and J.B. Smith, and his sister, Lynn Carter
Survivors include his devoted wife, Susan House Smith of Jesup; a son, James B. (Jessica) Smith of Eulonia; daughters, Jolenda (David) Cloer of Midway and Sharon Smith of Phoenix, New York; 11 cherished grandchildren; and a brother, Tommy (Ginger) Smith of Jesup.
Capt. Smith dedicated his life to the service of Wayne County and will be remembered as one of its most beloved citizens, his family said.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, at 5 p.m. at Altamaha Baptist Church with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
Family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. prior to services at the church.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
John Madison Gafford Jr.
Screven—John Madison Gafford Jr., 75, died Sept. 11, 2025, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah.
He was born on Sept. 23, 1949, in Hillsborough, Florida, the son of John Madison Gafford Sr. and Mary Kate Clark Gafford.
He grew up in Haines City, Florida, graduating from Haines City High School in 1968. He retired from Reedy Creek Energy Services, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, in 1996. He also worked for Walmart in Jesup. He had made Screven his home for the past 24 years.
He enjoyed being outside, hunting, fishing and farming. He loved animals.
He was preceded in death by his adopted parents John Madison Gafford Sr. and Mary Kate Clark Gafford; his sister, Tessie N. Gafford; and biological parents, Leroy Godwin and Doris Godwin.
Survivors include his wife, Paula Gafford of Screven; a son, John M. Gafford III of Screven; a daughter-in-law, Amy Gafford of Screven; a grandson, John M. Gafford IV of Screven; a granddaughter, Alexis Harrigan of Screven; sisters, Barbara Sistrunk and Sandy Casey; a brother, Jerry Godwin; and many nieces and nephews of Haines City.
Services will be held at a later date in Haines City, Florida.
Glennville Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.