• Rinehart & Sons
Charles Turner
Jesup—Charles Turner, 47, of Jesup died unexpectedly on October 25, 2024.
The Louisiana native had lived in Wayne County most of his life and was a member of Red Hill Baptist Church. He was an employee with The Press-Sentinel and enjoyed woodcarving and raising chickens.
He had a servant’s heart and helped many elderly people in his neighborhood.
Survivors are his wife of 16 years, Cheryl Churchill Turner of Jesup; his parents, Gerald and Nancy Turner of Jesup; six sisters and a brother; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private burial will be held in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with Pastor Alan Morgan officiating. A public celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bennie Willard Clark
Jesup—Bennie Willard Clark, born on June 19, 1941, died peacefully on Oct. 25, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, whose warmth and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered, his family said. His professional life was marked by dedication and hard work, culminating in his retirement from Rayonier Inc.
Beyond his career, he was an active and valued member of Jesup Church of God, where his faith and commitment to community service were evident.
A man of hard work and selflessness, he dedicated his life to supporting and uplifting those around him. His memory will forever be cherished by all who knew him, and his spirit will live on through the many lives he touched, his family said.
He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Jessie and Marie Clark, who instilled in him the values of hard work and compassion. He also was preceded in death by his cherished brother, Edwin (Chuck) Clark.
In remembrance, his family honors his contributions and the legacy he leaves behind, which will continue to inspire those who knew him. His memory will live on in the hearts of family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him, his family said.
His 64-year marriage to his beloved wife, Susan, was a testament to his enduring love and commitment. Together, they built a family that became the center of his world. He was the proud father of Tony (Sharon) Clark of St. Simons Island, BW (Renee) Clark of Watkinsville, Sonja Clark Woods of Jesup and Selena Clark of Screven. His legacy of love and generosity continues through his 12 grandchildren: Elyssa (Grayson) Yeomans, Clark (Ashley) Wingate, Jett Wingate, Emileigh (Eric) Keel, Wesley (Daniella) Woods, Benjamin Woods, Taylor (Jake) Powell, Lindsay (Eli) Garrett, Jake (Lilia) Clark, Bradley Clark, Garrett Clark and Max Melvin. Along with his 14 great-grandchildren that held a special place in his heart, each grandchild brought immense joy and pride to his life, embodying his spirit of kindness, resilience and love, his family said.
Funeral services were held Oct. 28 at Jesup Church of God with Pastor Scott Hatten and BW Clark officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were his grandsons.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jim “Vernon” Pye
Jesup—Jim “Vernon” Pye, 94, of Jesup died Oct. 26, 2024.
The Wayne County native was a Baptist, a U.S. Army veteran and a retiree with Rayonier. In his spare time, he loved mowing the lawn, spending time with his grandchildren, watching game shows and football, and visiting with all of his friends who came to see him. He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Mary Ellen Thornton Pye, and his sister, Bertie Griffin.
Survivors include two daughters, Teresa (Kenny) Brannen and Gail Pye, both of Jesup; a son, James “Pee Wee” (Angie) Pye of Odum; four grandchildren, Colorado, Lalah, Brian and Marty; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a special caregiver, Niki McBee.
Funeral services were held Oct. 29 at Rinehart Chapel with Pastor Tim Horne officiating. Interment followed in Jesup City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Darla Lorraine Cravy Garrison
Jesup—Darla Lorraine Cravy Garrison, 67, died suddenly at home on Oct. 24, 2024.
A resident of Jesup for the past year and former resident of Dallas, Texas, for most of her life, she was born on Sept. 8, 1957, to the late Benjamin and Janice Mae Sladek Cravy. She worked her entire career at AT&T, formerly Southwestern Bell, as a technician and helped keep large customers phone systems functioning properly.
In her spare time, she enjoyed arts and crafts of all kinds, including cross stitch and making bracelets for the ones she loved.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Douglas and Danny Cravy.
Survivors include her husband of 22 years, Gerald “Jerry” Garrison of Jesup; a brother, Darrell Cravy of California; two sisters, Donna Miller of Jesup and Danette Santti of Kansas; one stepson, Thomas Monk of Texas; two grandchildren, Hannah and Nicole; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Services will be private.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
William Jerry Edenfield
Jesup—William Jerry Edenfield, 80, died Oct. 28, 2024, at Gentiva Hospice in Lawrence, Kansas, after a lengthy illness.
A longtime resident of Appling County and Shelbyville, Tennessee, he was born on Dec. 6, 1943 in Jesup to the late William Cleveland and Nell Akins Edenfield.
He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict. After returning home to the States, he worked several different jobs before beginning a career as an over-the-road truck
driver. Trucking was his true passion and after years of hard work, he owned his own trucking company.
Although he loved the open road, he was always appreciative of the time he was able to spend with his beloved family. He loved animals of all kinds and caring for the animals on his farm, which was named “Hound’s Run” after one of his beloved canine companions. In his spare time, he enjoyed cooking and spending time with his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Diane Edenfield; a brother, Terry Edenfield; a brother-in-law, Larry Saim; and a nephew, Butch Edenfield.
Survivors include his son, Dr. Jeffery (Dr. Andrea) Edenfield of Greenville, South Carolina; grandchildren, Dr. Jessica (Garrett) Kurtz of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Nathaniel (Melissa) Edenfield of New York, New York; one great-grandson, Cooper Kurtz; one sister, Sharon Saim of McLouth, Kansas; one sister-in-law, Mary Edenfield; three nieces, Lynette, Melissa and Teresa; two nephews, Kris and Kurtis; and numerous other extended-family members.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, at 11 a.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Bethesda Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Justin Tyler Manning
Jesup—Justin Tyler Manning, 32, died suddenly on Oct. 25, 2024, at home after a brief illness.
A native and lifelong resident of Jesup, he was born on Sept. 7, 1992. He attended Wayne County High School where he enjoyed participating in sports, playing on the high school football team for several years.
He was a heavy-equipment operator who had worked with several local companies over his lifetime. He loved collecting tennis shoes and hats and always had a sweet tooth, especially when it came to pecan pie, which he could eat and never gain weight.
He was an avid University of Georgia Bulldog fan who watched every game. He was a kind-hearted soul and a bit of a mama’s boy, his family said. He treasured the time he spent with his beloved family and his canine companion, Jiggy.
He was preceded in death by his father, Christopher Dale Manning; mother, Michelle Daniels Manning; maternal grandfather, Ronald Daniels; and paternal grandparents, Arnold and Louise Manning.
Survivors include his grandmother, Sandra Daniels of Jesup; siblings, Tiffany (Josh) Woods of Jesup, Kyle Smith of Marietta and fiancé, Kaitlyn Boyette, of Screven, Livvy Manning and fiancé, Aden, of Jesup and Christopher Manning Jr. of Monroe, Tennessee; and the love of his life, Cieara Smith of Jesup. Although he never had children, he loved his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children. Numerous extended family members also survive.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Ritch Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
Joanne Jolann Boyette Kicklighter
Thomson—Joanne Jolann Boyette Kicklighter of Thomson died on Oct. 25, 2024.
She was born in Patterson on March 24, 1938. She was a member of Screven First Baptist Church, loved Jesus and believed that Jesus Christ died for her sins, was resurrected after three days and her soul and spirit is with Him now that she has passed on. We can only imagine how wonderful life will be with Jesus, and we thank Jesus for that old rugged cross, he family said.
She enjoyed the Garden Club, people, flowers, fried fish and spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was best known for her cooking, in particular her 11-layer chocolate cake and potato salad.
She had lived in Thomson on two separate occasions. The first time was an extended visit that lasted about 10 years when Darrell and Pam opened Wester Vet Clinic. She easily slid into the “raising the grandkids” role and would run to Atlanta to see Mike and Cathy and their kids, when she could break away. The second time, she moved in and lived with
Darrell and Pam for the last 10 years. Her life was full, and nothing made
her happier than visiting with Mike or seeing her great-grandchildren either crawling all over her, playing in her closet, climbing on her bed or face timing.
The Bible study held every Monday night at her Thomson home was her highlight. Whenever she could not attend, her door was open, and she listened to the study.
She attended Grace Bible Church in Appling whenever possible. Her Screven family and friends were very special to her, and she always appreciated communication with them. She loved hearing from Gaynell, Joan and Phyllis Woods.
The past few years, as her body got weaker, she was blessed to have so many special caregivers, Regency Hospice, Gail Newsome, Velma McNair, Linda Howell, Amy Cranford, Shanita Glover and Madison Owens were among the many compassionate caregivers.
She was not perfect, but she and Joe were the perfect parents to Pam and Mike. They taught Pam and Mike that trusting Christ was the most important commitment in their lives. Although divorced, Joe Kicklighter, was still very special to her, and he stays in touch and sends his love to our family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Randall and Ola Boyette; her siblings, J.L. Boyett, Donald Boyette and Judy Deal; and her grandson, Kyle Wester.
Survivors include her children, Pam Kicklighter (Darrell) Wester and Mike (Cathy) Kicklighter; her grandchildren, Amy Kicklighter (Trey) Royals, Tyler (Kristen) Wester, Ashley Kicklighter (Bryan) Rafie, Erin Wester (Chris) Palmer, Brent (Jessica) Kicklighter; her great-grandchildren, Grayson Kyle Wester, Aubrey Kalila Rafie, Eva Kyle Palmer, Teagan Nora Royals, Laine Elizabeth Wester, Coraline James Royals, Finn Wester Palmer and Bryson Zayne Rafie; her brother-in-law, Adrian Deal; her sisters-in-laws, Joan Boyette and Gaynell Boyette; and many extended family members.
A graveside service was held Oct. 27 in the Screven City Cemetery. It was officiated by Tim Lewis and John Kennedy.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook at www.beggsfuneralhome.net.
Beggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.