• Rinehart & Sons
Angela Poppell
Thornton
K’ville—Angela “Angie” Poppell Thornton, 64, of K’ville died Nov. 9, 2024, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was of the Baptist faith and a retired employee with Georgia Department of Transportation. She loved to save memories of her wonderful family times with her myriads of photo albums. She also loved flowers and ferns and could “pinch a penny” better than anyone else.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Sr. and Vivian Dukes Poppell, and her nephew, Kenny “Little Kenny” Chad Poppell.
Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Mark Thornton of K’ville; two sons, Christopher (Gina) Thornton of Jesup and Zachary (Lauren) Thornton of K’ville; seven grandchildren, Tyson, Candice, Vivian, Malia, Zane, Huk and Hoyt; a brother, Kenny (Angie) Poppell of Odum; a nephew, Logan (Hannah) Poppell of Odum.
Private family burial services will be held in the Red Hill Cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Johnnie Eleanor Hodge Hayes
Jesup—Johnnie Eleanor Hodge Hayes, 91, died after a long, hard-fought illness on Nov. 16, 2024, at Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient Unit surrounded by her family.
Born to the late David and Mattie Hodge of Screven on July 30, 1933, she grew up working on the family farm and learning to play the piano. She taught home economics for 31 years, and during that time she was awarded Clayton County Teacher of the Year. She dedicated her life to teaching others how to take care of themselves as well as others. She constantly gave back to her community. Whether it be playing for numerous funerals and weddings, cooking and sending meals to those in need, or dedicating her time to various organizations around Wayne County, she never missed an opportunity to help someone in need.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, David M. and Mattie Smith Hodge; a daughter, Kathryn Marsan Hayes; and a grandson, Bryson Hayes Swope.
Survivors include her husband of 70 loving years, William Calvin Hayes; a daughter, Debbie (Jimmy) Matuse; granddaughters, Lauren (Dylan) Poppell and Rachel Stephens; great-grandchildren, Braylon and Illa Faye Poppell; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Nov. 20 at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Rebecca Duke-Barton, the Rev. Henry Bass and Dink NeSmith officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family and friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Kay “Dee” Aspinwall Baxter
Screven—Dorothy Kay “Dee” Aspinwall Baxter, 79, of Screven died Nov. 9, 2024, surrounded lovingly by her family and friends and under the care of Hospice of South Georgia in Jesup.
The Wayne County native grew up in Screven, attending school and working in her parents’ grocery store, Hub’s. She was a 1963 graduate of Screven High School, where she played basketball and made lifelong friends. It was on a basketball court that she met the love of her life and immediately after high school graduation married Carlton Baxter Jr.
She studied anthropology and archeology at the University of Georgia, history at Appalachian State University and nursing at Western Piedmont Community College in North Carolina. It was during these years a passion was birthed for Bible study and teaching Jewish roots of the Christian faith. She later became the co-founder of Baxter Bible Ministries while living in LaFayette, Georgia.
For more than 40 years she traveled extensively speaking at conferences and conducting seminars all over the southern United States. Together, the Baxters taught marriage retreats and led multiple tours to Israel teaching at historical sites.
She wrote her autobiography book You Want Me to do What? about her deep Southern roots and the journey of fulfilling God’s call on her life and ministry.
After returning to Screven in 2021, she and Carlton attended The Church of Eleven22, Jesup campus.
She was predeceased by her parents, Herbert and Margery Aspinwall, and son-in-law, Ronnie Harper.
Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Carlton Baxter Jr.; children, Stephanie Harper of Jesup, Cindy Baxter of Nashville, Tennessee and Hampton (Adi) Baxter III of LaFayette; grandchildren, Peri (Bruce) Deverger, Becca Rusack, Hannah Rusack, Elie Baxter, C.H. Baxter IV; great-grandchild Deverger to come 2025; sister, Pat (Gary) Shepherd; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Nov. 12 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel officiated by Stephen Lewis and music provided by Andrew Kurtz. Interment followed in the Odum City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Bruce Deverger, Gary Baxter, Cary Baxter, Cecil Stafford, Thomas Wright and Dalton Cowap. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Thursday night 1122 Screven Men’s Disciple Group.
A celebration of life service will be be held Dec. 21 at Forrest Pond Lodge in Ludowici. Time to be determined later.
In lieu of flowers, family request donations may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545 or online www.hospicesoga.org
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bobby Miller Martin
Jesup—Bobby Miller Martin, 88, of Jesup died peacefully surrounded by her loving family Nov. 16, 2024 at Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient Unit in Jesup.
A native of Wayne County,
Born Dec. 18, 1935, she graduated from Odum High School in 1953, where she played basketball for four years; was named most talented, class secretary and member of the FHA and 4-H; and served on the staff of the school newspaper and yearbook.
She delayed furthering her education to be a wife and mother, and she worked as a secretary at ITT Rayonier for a number of years. But she never gave up on her dream of going to college. In the early 1980s, she began classes at Brunswick Junior College, where she was the editor of the college’s What’s Happening newsletter. She served as assistant editor and then editor of Seaswells literary magazine in 1981. She was the first-place recipient of the American Scholastic Press Association Leadership Scholarship in 1982.
After transferring to Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, she went on to graduate with a bachelor of science degree in communication arts/journalism in 1984 at the age of 48. While at Georgia Southern, she served as assistant editor of the college yearbook in 1983 and then as editor of The Reflector in 1984. She was a member of Gamma Beta Phi, a national honors and service society, and was a special initiate of Phi Mu. In addition, she received recognition for the highest-score award on the Regent’s Exam and was chosen for Who’s Who in 1983 in America’s Colleges.
With a great joy for learning, she was a member of Mensa, the international high-IQ society comprising of people in the top 2 percent of intelligence test scores. She was an avid writer and enjoyed attending fiction writing workshops led by authors including Eugenia Price.
Professionally, she served as editor of The Ludowici News, as a writer for The Press-Sentinel in Jesup and as an instructor at Altamaha Technical College. She served as editor of The Wayne County History Book published in 1990. She also worked with Fair Haven in Jesup and as a secretary at Odum Baptist Church.
She loved spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed shopping and fashion, manicures, eating out with her family, and the holidays. She was also excited about the upcoming birth of her fourth great-grandchild, Daisy Deal.
The final years of her life were spent in nursing homes, and the family extends tremendous gratitude to her compassionate caregivers Teresa Davis, Barbara Hill, Alfreda West and Jean Latham.
She was predeceased by her parents, Barney F. and Inez Miller; brothers, Don and Edward Miller; and her former husband, Earl Martin.
Survivors include her daughters, Bev Deal and Nancy Martin both of Jesup; grandchildren, Miki Deal (Jody) Thomaston of Jesup and Chad (Jessica) Deal of St. Augustine, Florida; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Greyson Thomaston of Jesup and Lilly Deal of St. Augustine; and a sister-in-law, Jackie Miller of Jesup.
Funeral services will held Nov. 19 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Jason Deal, Miki Deal Thomaston and the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Kermit, Bruce, Timmy and Dale Buie, Mark McGregor and Jody Thomaston. Honorary pallbearers were the employees of Harborview, Hospice of South Georgia and Cotton Grove Estates.
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.
Faye Ogden Sapp
Jesup—Faye Ogden Sapp, 81, of Jesup died Nov. 16, 2024.
The Wayne County native was a member of Unity Church of God and a master seamstress who made everyone’s home beautiful with her talent. She loved to travel to the mountains and watch Westerns.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Glynn T. Sapp; two sons, Glynn T. Sapp Jr. and Bryan Sapp; and several siblings.
Survivors include two daughters, Leisha (David) Carver of Brunswick and Dana (Mike) Carroll of St. Simons Island; grandchildren, Dillon Carver, Heather (Kyle) Rogers, Seth (Kelsey) Carroll, Mady Carroll, Kyler Sapp and Dawson (Demere) Sapp; two great-grandchildren, Sophie Rogers and Jackson Carroll; a sister-in-love, Linda Carter; and several nieces and nephews, including Brandon Carter.
Funeral services were held Nov. 20 at Rinehart Chapel with Mike and Dana Carroll officiating. Interment followed in the George Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Brandon Carter, Seth Carroll, Dillon Carver, Kyler Sapp, Dawson Sapp and Kyle Rogers.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
David Patrick Brooker
Jesup—David Patrick Brooker, 50, died suddenly on Nov. 14, 2024, at St. Jospeh’s Hospital in Savannah after a brief illness.
A resident of Jesup for most of his life, he was educated in the Wayne County public schools, graduating from Wayne County High School in 1994. He worked for many years at Pizza Inn, Flash Foods and Sybil’s Family Restaurant before taking a job at Family Traditions Steakhouse, formerly known as Western Sizzlin, where he had worked for the past seven years. He was a hard worker who always had a positive attitude and a good spirit.
He enjoyed listening to music, playing video games and reading in his spare time. He was a member of Memorial Baptist Church in his younger years, and he used the lessons he learned at church in his daily life as he strived to be a good person to everyone.
His mother, Frances Brooker, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his father, Bill Glass of Jesup, and a host of friends and co-workers who were his adopted family.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. at Family Traditions Steakhouse with the Rev. Mike Wilder officiating. All are invited to attend and those who feel led should prepare to share a special memory with the others in attendance.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupufuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Eddie Lloyd O’Neal
Jesup—Eddie Lloyd O’Neal died Nov. 14, 2024 at Hospice House in Jesup.
Born on Sept. 17, 1980, he will always be remembered as “Peadro” by his family. His family added that some of its fondest memories included, “our little, blonde-haired brother in his tighty whities waiting for us to get off the school bus at the end of our dirt road. Or sitting on the kitchen table eating nothing but a stick of butter dipped in sugar. Later in life, our memories include his incredible skill at building, which included a Swiss Family Robinson style treehouse for his nephews, a beautiful log framed front porch or the latest unfinished memory of working with his dad on hand-carving leather knife handles. We will see him again in the new world, and he can finish those projects. Then, we’ll continue making memories together. Only good ones. His loyalty and kindness was never doubted by those who loved him. We will see him again.”
He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Lindia Wentworth O’Neal.
Survivors include his father, Lloyd O’Neal; a son Gage (Kassie) O’Neal; a grandson, Waylen; his one true love, Debbie; siblings Jennifer Godwin, Wendy (Kent) Smith, Jason (Erica) O’Neal, Brittany (David) Oropeza and Shanda (Jimmy) Byrd; 13 nieces and nephews; six great-nieces and nephews; and his dog, Gator.
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.