• Rinehart & Sons
Kathleen Griffis Purcell
Jesup—Kathleen Griffis Purcell, 92, of Jesup died Nov. 23, 2025.
The Wayne County native was a member of Altamaha Baptist Church and was a former AVON sales lady. She was most known for her chocolate layer cakes and coconut cakes.
She was very family-oriented and doted on her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Purcell; a daughter, Kathy Jean Purcell; a great-grandson, Brennan Clark; sisters, Joann Smith, Jeanette Jones, Lawanda Bennett; brothers, Cecil, Albert and Herbert Griffis; and a daughter-in- law, Debbie Purcell.
Survivors include two sons, Ricky Purcell of Jesup and Ronnie Purcell of LaGrange; four grandchildren, April Purcell and Jennifer (Brent) Clark, both of Jesup, and Ridge (Mallory) Purcell and Leslie Purcell, both of LaGrange; six great-grandchildren, Katlyn (Codi) Johnson, Logan (fiancé, Nathan) Clark, Caleb Watson, Braiden Clark, Kyleigh Purcell and Walker Purcell; great-great grandchildren, Blakely, Rowan, Jameson and Sebastian; a sister, Imogene Teston; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Nov. 26 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating. Interment followed in Red Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family and friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Henry “Robert” Jones
Odum—Henry “Robert” Jones, 87, of Odum died Nov. 25, 2025.
The Appling County native had lived in Wayne County most of his life and was a member of Altamaha Baptist Church. He was most known as “My Insurance Man” for most of his life and was considered a part of his insured’s families and their needs.
Being dependable in all of his investments was reflected in his life as a Christian, dad, grandfather and friend. Some favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting and using his chainsaw whenever he could.
He was preceded in death by 16 days by his wife of 65 years, Carolyn Sharpe Jones. He also was preceded in death by his brothers, Roland Jones, James Jones, John Jones and Joseph Jones, and a great-granddaughter, Murphy Marie Jones.
Survivors include two sons, Jeff (Celeste) Jones and Greg (Melony) Jones; grandchildren, Caroline (Ryan) Johnson, Patrick (Sutton) Jones, Logan (Allie) Jones and Aidan Jones; great-grandchildren, Wynne and Tess Johnson, Penelope Jones, Dean Johnson, Hugh, Eloise, Harrison and Addison Jones; two sisters, Mary Jones Peacock of Cumming and Ruby Jones Brannen of Brunswick; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Nov. 28 at Rinehart Chapel with Ray Moore officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were his family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Harold D. Aldridge
Jesup—Harold D. Aldridge, 84, of Jesup died Nov. 27, 2025.
The Ware County native and former resident of Brantley County had lived in Wayne County most of his life and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and the Adult IV Sunday School Class. He was a retired 39-year Rayonier employee and enjoyed restoring automobiles and tractors.
He was predeceased by his parents, P.D. and Martha Thomas Aldridge; two sisters, Sylvia Mosley and Linda Gail Oullette; and a brother, Darrell Aldridge.
Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Geneva Brown Aldridge of Jesup; a son, Michael Dewayne Aldridge of St. Marys; a daughter, Shirley Jean Branch of Jesup; sisters, Diane Casey of Jesup and Glennis (Mike) Bryan of Atlanta; brothers, Pat (Gail) Aldridge, Wayne (Diane) Aldridge, Richard (Juanita) Aldridge and the Rev. Parnell (Janet) Aldridge all of Jesup; 11 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and stepchildren, Frances Cross of Midville and Rhonda Oglesby of Twin City.
Funeral services were held Dec. 1 from Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Billy McKinney officiating. Interment followed in Spring Grove Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ethyl Griffis Green
Alma—Ethyl Griffis Green, 93, of Alma died Nov. 27, 2025.
The Bacon County native was a member of Southside Church of God and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class. She was a certified nursing assistant for many years and enjoyed traveling and serving the Lord.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jamie Judd; a brother, George Griffis; her sisters, Nellie and Ruby; and a nephew, B.J. Harrelson.
Survivors include a granddaughter, Jaylon (Jimmie) Green, and several nieces and nephews, including Brenda Gray of Jesup and Angie Sears of Alma.
Graveside services were held Dec. 1 at Screven City Cemetery with the Rev. David Deen officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Callie Tillman O’Quinn
Jesup—Callie Tillman O’Quinn, 95, of Jesup died Nov. 30, 2025.
The Appling County native had lived in Jesup since 1957 and was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church and recently Jesup First United Methodist Church. She was a retired accounting clerk with the Georgia Department of Transportation. She enjoyed playing canasta and keeping up with her friends and family.
She was predeceased by her husbands, David L. (Jack) Tillman and Lonnie P. O’Quinn, and her parents, James T. and Stella Knight Andrews.
Survivors include a daughter, Marcia Tillman (Gene) Tomberlin of Abbeville; a son, Lonnie “Andy” Andrews (Ree) O’Quinn of Jesup; grandson, Ben (Keri) Blalock; one great-grandson, Grayson Benjamin Blalock of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; and one granddaughter, Lindsay Blalock of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Funeral services were held Dec. 3 at Jesup First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton and Chaplain Dale Bange officiating. Interment followed in Jesup City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Joe Davis, Chris Griffis, Elton Aspinwall, Silas (Junior) Bennett, William Tyre and Herschel Daniel. Honorary pallbearers were her caregiver, Linda Clark; friends, Cindy Thornton, Joanne Bennett, Donna Stanfield and Jay Davis; retirees of Georgia Department of Transportation; and the staffs of At Home Senior Living and Hospice of South Georgia.
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.
Charles W. Crane
Jesup—Charles W. Crane, 79, of Jesup died Dec. 1, 2025, in the Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient Unit.
The Cleveland native and former resident of Hinesville had lived in Wayne County most of his adult life and was a Christian. He served his country in the U.S. Navy. He was a retired truck driver working with McKenzie Tank Lines and Rogers Cartiage Trucking Company.
Hunting, fishing and playing pool were some favorite pastimes.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Judy Weaver Crane; his parents, Talmadge and Elma Crane; and his brother, Willis Crane.
Survivors include his daughter, Teresa (Keith) Manning; grandchildren, Marisa Mobley, Malori (Donald) Mobley, Emily (Evan) Manning, Hunter (Brooke) Manning; a great-grandchild; siblings, Polly and Bill, Larry, Louise and Edward, Jerry and Brenda; and a sister-in-law, Betty Jean.
Graveside funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Logan Simmons officiating.
The family will receive friends at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ellawene M. Griffis
Screven—Ellawene M. Griffis Griffis, 97, of Screven died on Dec. 2, 2025, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
Known affectionately as “Granny Wene” or “Shug,” the Appling County native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a member of Ritch Missionary Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and was the Sunday school secretary, and a member of the WMU and Sunday School Ladies Class.
She was known for her delicious dishes, especially cakes. Some other hobbies she enjoyed were quilting, needlepointing and reading her Bible.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis H. Griffis; her parents, Willie and Alma Reddish Mann; and siblings, Juanell Martin, Evelyn Holcomb, Carroll Mann and Pete Mann.
Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Gardner of Screven; two sons, Carey (Claudia) Griffis of Savannah and Don (Linda) Griffis of Vidalia; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; sisters, Murlene Mock, Myrt Blanton, Faye Hattaway and Deanna Cowart; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 3 p.m. at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Mark Ledbetter and the Rev. Benji McReady officiating. Interment will follow in the Ritch Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be her family. Honorary pallbearers will be Hospice of South Georgia, Ellen Griffis, Glenda Scarborough, Jerry Griffis, Susan Nadolski and Willie Burch.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Trudy Faye Dent
Jesup—Trudy Faye Dent, 82, died peacefully on Nov. 25, 2025, while under the care of Georgia Hospice Care and Jesup Health and Rehabilitation.
She was born in Madray Springs to the late Holland and Emmalene Madray.
She retired from West Clock Company. She and her beloved husband, Theron, lived in several states throughout their life together before ultimately returning home to Wayne County. Many cherished memories were made during their travels, especially during the summers when nieces and nephews spent time with them. Known affectionately to most as Aunt Faye, she had a deep love for crocheting. If she knew you—and liked you—you likely own one of her beautiful handmade creations, each one a treasured keepsake.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Theron Dent; her parents; two sisters, Janice Madray and Sandy He-nderson; and two brothers, Charles Madray and Richard Madray.
Survivors include her sister, Bobbie Padgett; a brother-in-law, Glenn Henderson; nieces, Debbie (Andy) Lettow, Kellie (Cam) Williams, Paige (David) Corsetti and Holly Henderson; and a nephew David (Buffie) Padgett. She is also survived by a large extended family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom she adored.
No remembrance of Faye would be complete without mentioning Baby Girl, who never left her side. Their bond was unwavering—Baby Girl loved her deeply, and Faye loved her just the same.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff and nurses at Georgia Hospice Care and Jesup Health and Rehab for the exceptional care and compassion shown to her. They are especially grateful to Justin, Wanda, Herschell, Ridge, and all who ensured she was always surrounded by love, comfort, and support. “Your kindness will never be forgotten,” the family said.
Funeral services were held at Altamaha Baptist Church on Nov. 30 with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating. The family received friends one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Tyler Padgett, Justin Evors, Terry Martin, Herschell Hires, Chad Dent and Ridge Shefka. Honorary pallbearers were Wanda Hayes and the staff of Georgia Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Altamaha Baptist Church, 6622 Oglethorpe Road, Jesup, GA 31545.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
Greta Gertrude Blake
Athens—Greta Gertrude “Trudy” Blake died Nov. 19, 2025.
She was born in Blackshear, and graduated from Jesup High School. She attended college and graduated from Grady Hospital School of Medical Technology.
She married Tom Blake, and they had two daughters, Kristie (Scott) Tucker and Kathryn Blake. Her husband died in July 1976 while living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While living there, she was a member of Merrell Methodist Church. She was a member and officer of the United Methodist Women. She was a Girl Scout leader for five years and a member of Junior Woman’s Club of Wilton Manor, where she held many offices, including president.
She and her daughters moved in 1979 to Athens where she was a longtime member of Tuckston United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Bertha Hancock Circle, where she held many offices including president. She volunteered for Red Cross at Athens Regional. She was a member of the Joy Club and XYZ at Prince Avenue Baptist Church. She was a member of Elijah Clarke Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a member of the Laura Rutherford Chapter of UPC, where she was chaplain. She also became a member of First Methodist Lake Oconee.
After moving to Oconee, she joined Watkinsville Methodist Church. She was a member of the Betty Berry Circle. She retired as a lab tech III from Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Georgia.
She is survived by her daughters, Kristie (Scott) Tucker and Kathryn Blake; her two grandchildren, Dylan Gooch and Britton Tucker; sisters-in-law, Elise Johnson and Sue Andersen; a brother-in-law, Joe (Robin) Blake; nieces, Lisa (Reggie) Burgess, Jessica (Brandon) Batten and Kelsey Blake; nephews, David (Amy) Johnson, Gary (Joy) Johnson, Alec (Kristin) Andersen and Max (Kylie) Andersen; four great-nieces; five great-nephews; four great-great-nieces; two great-great-nephews; and cousins, Ryan (Julia) Jones, Lana Jones, Elaine Branch and many other loved cousins.
The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice, Tanya Adcock, Chris and Jason for “taking such wonderful care of our mother.”
A visitation will be held on Jan. 18, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 415 E. Cherry Street, Jesup.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home (East) in Athens is in charge of arrangements.