Joseph Thomas “Joe” Willis Jr.
Jesup—Joseph Thomas “Joe” Willis Jr., 68, of Jesup died Nov. 8, 2021.
The Glynn County native had lived in Wayne County the past 35 years and was a member of Crossroads Church of God and an active member of the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association). He was a welder and truck driver and enjoyed friends.
Survivors include his wife, Norma Bargeron Willis of Jesup; daughter, Nancy (James) Spradley of Waynesville; son, Steve Willis of
Waynesville; brother, Roger (Wanda) Willis of Eastman; grandchildren, Amanda (Josh) White and Emma Spradley; and extended family.
Funeral services were held Nov. 11 from Crossroads Church of God with the Rev. Hulet Smith and Chaplain Dickie Whisenant officiating. Interment was in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were members of the Judah Riders. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Primetimer’s Group of Crossroads Church of God and all members of the CMA.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Brenda Whitaker Thornton
Screven—Brenda Whitaker Thornton, 71, of Screven died Nov. 14, 2021.
The Gaines-ville native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a member of Screven First Baptist Church. The homemaker was a helpmate for her husband in farming their land, raising cattle and rearing their children and grandchildren. She loved to tend to her flowers in her yard and nurtured the birds there.
She was preceded in death by her son, Dan Thornton; her parents, Dr. Bill and Bobbie Whitaker; and brothers, Ronnie and Philip Whitaker.
Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Danny Thornton of Screven; two daughters, Jena (Rod) Yoder of Screven and Elena (Daniel) Hill of Gardi; a son, John (Crystal) Thornton of Screven; a daughter-in-law, Misty Spell Thornton of Baxley; 11 grandchildren, Courtney Thornton and fiancé Matt Bales, Riley, Bailey and Gabe Thornton, Cash, Karston, Lilly, Sofia, Caleb and Kampton Yoder, and Jasper Hill; a sister, Charlie (Jim) McCann of Screven; a brother, Donnie Whitaker of Savannah; a sister-in-law, Elaine (Leamon) Howard of Johns Island, South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held Nov. 17 in Screven City Cemetery with Dr. Brad Ellington and Durwood Miller officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Gloria Ellis and Donna Rinehart.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Henry James Williamson
Odum—Henry James Williamson, 50, of Odum died Nov. 12, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. He was a 28-year retired sergeant first class with the Georgia Department of Public Safety. His enjoyment time was spent hunting, fishing and activities with family and friends.
His parents, Jake and Norma Driggers Williamson, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Tina Jones Williamson of Odum; daughters, Hailey and Minona Williamson of Odum; son, J.D. Williamson of Odum; sister, Sheila (Hank) Roberson of Screven; brothers, Steve D. Williamson of Screven, Darrell (Amanda) Hutcheson of Jesup, James (Barbara) Vann of Jesup, Tony (Carla) Williamson of Thomaston, and Miles (Christy) Hardenstein of Columbia, Alabama; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Nov. 16 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Donnie Raney, the Rev. Wayne Williamson and the Rev. Ryan Wilson officiating. Interment followed in the Odum City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were his fellow MCCD officers. Honorary pallbearers were all MCCD employees and Georgia Hospice Care staff.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Anne Miller Strickland
Jesup—Anne Miller Strickland, 76, died Nov. 13, 2021, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
She was born on Nov. 24, 1944, in Jesup to the late Wayne Luther and Ella Lee Osborne Miller. She graduated from Jesup High School in 1962 and had been a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church. She worked as a paraprofessional in several schools throughout her career in education, including Orange Street Elementary School, T.G. Ritch Elementary School and, last James E. Bacon Elementary School, from which she retired. In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, writing and reading.
Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Mike Strickland of Jesup; three children, Steve (Inez) Strickland, Sean Strickland, and Stuart Strickland and partner Eliot, all of Jesup; brother, Billy Miller of Jesup; grandchildren, Richard, Fidel and wife Amber, Raina, Mercedes, Casey and wife Zealand, and Aiden; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Xavier, Roman and Liam; and numerous extended-family members.
Funeral services were held Nov. 17 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Jesup High School Class of 1962, Wayne County paraprofessionals and the staff of Hospice of South Georgia.
Private interment services was in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.