• Rinehart & Sons
Jefferson Wylly Davis Sr.
Jesup—Jefferson Wylly “Jay” Davis Sr., 84, of Jesup died on Feb. 10, 2026, in the Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient Unit.
The Pierce County native had lived most of his adult life in Wayne County and was a member of Flint Branch Baptist Church. He was retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation. Upon retirement, he was known to help many of his friends with their businesses while sharing the “gift of gab.” Farm life—including tractors, gardening, and working with goats, horses, cows and chickens—was so satisfying to him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary Davis; his sister, Ronnie Rae Davis; and a nephew and niece, Cecil and Rhonda Deen.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Shirley Priester Davis of Jesup; a son, Jay (Fonda) Davis of Jesup; a daughter, Golda (Henry) Sweat of Jesup; grandchildren Allie (Michael) Arnold, Kate Davis and Stormi (Jacob) Schuyler, all of Jesup; and great-grandchildren, Barrett and Charlie Kate Arnold and Benny Schuyler.
Funeral services were held Feb. 13 at Flint Branch Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Hickox and the Rev. Greg Smith officiating. Interment followed in Flint Branch Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Michael Arnold, Jacob Schuyler, Robbie Thompson, Tim Conner, Donald Priester and Benji Priester.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James Rucker Dick
Jesup—James “Jimmy” Rucker Dick, 72, of Jesup died Feb. 11, 2026, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Alabama native had lived in Wayne County the past 42 years and attended Jesup First Baptist Church, where he helped with the sound system. The retired Rayonier employee was very active in his community in several projects, such as portraying “McGruff, the crime dog” for the Jesup Police Department, but recently, he enjoyed helping out at the Good Samaritan Center.
His parents, Pierson and Pauline Dick, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his companion, Jean Griffis of Jesup; sons, Beauman (Lori) Dick and William Dick (Christy Cheves) and Eric (Katherine) Whitted; grandchildren, Charleigh Elizabeth Dick, Carolyn Jewell (Ryland Macloud) McKinnie, Campbell Louise Rucker and Piper Michele Gentry, Dick Tristram and Liam Whitted; a brother, G. Pierson (Barbara) Dick III; and a sister, Polly (Bill) Sellier.
Celebration-of-life services will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, at Jesup First Baptist Church with the Rev. Creston Groover and Beauman Dick officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church an hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Good Samaritan Center, 395 SW Broad Street, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jacob “Cobb” Lynn Jr.
Hortense—Jacob “Cobb” Lynn Jr., 32, of Hortense and formerly of Screven, died on Feb. 11, 2026.
The Wayne County native was a member of Screven First Baptist Church and an electrician. Fishing, hunting and cooking were some of his favorite pastimes. He found his love for the kitchen at Altamaha Steak and Seafood in Jesup.
He had the biggest heart and was so lovable, his family said. For anyone who needed help, he was the first one to jump in and do whatever was necessary.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Kacie Lang Lynn; his Paw-Paw, David Lynn Sr.; his great-grandmother, Ophenia Green; his grandmother, Paula Frye Floyd; and his great-aunt, Donna Green.
Survivors include a son, Randall Trace Lynn; parents, Jacob and Amanda Lynn Sr. of Hortense; a brother, James Scott (Meagan Stephens) Lynn of Hortense; a grandmother, Regina Lynn of Patterson; two uncles, David Lynn Jr. of Patterson and William (Renee) Lynn of Blackshear; a great-uncle, David Frye of Screven; a niece, Laina Katherine Lynn; a great-aunt, Debra Green (Pete) Harvey and her two sons, Chris and Brian Cheshire.
Graveside funeral services were held Feb. 16 in Screven City Cemetery with Pastor Gerald Greenlee officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rhett Joshua Thornton
Jesup—Rhett Joshua Thornton, 3-year-old loving son of Josh and Taylor Thornton, died on Feb. 14, 2026.
He loved to act as if he was a firefighter, hunter of big deer and ducks, reeler of big fish, and tractor driver. He was passionate about Jesus and prayed for many family members. He was full of joy and shared that with a huge smile. He taught more about life in his short three years than many people teach in a lifetime with many decades, his family said.
His sister, Brynleigh “Sissy,” was his best friend and playmate. He attended Jesup Church of God and “didn’t meet a stranger.”
He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Janice Thornton, Jim and Linda Knight, Bernard Scott, and great-uncles, Jason Flowers and Paul Baker.
In addition to his parents and sister, survivors include grandparents, Thomas and Melanie Knox and Deryl and Tammy Thornton, all of Jesup; great-grandparents, George and Ivene Knox, Diane Scott, John and Pat Smith and Dorman Thornton; aunts and uncles, Trent and Macy Knox, Meah and Barret Browning, all of Jesup; great-aunts and great-uncles, Melissa (Jeff) Lewis, Patti and John Robinson, Tammy Flowers, Vickie Baker and Sandy Knight; cousins, Cooper Knox, Boone and Tate Browning and numerous others.
Funeral services were held Feb. 18 at Jesup Church of God with Pastor Scott Hatten and the Rev. Melvin Lane officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Barret Browning, Trent Knox, Boone and Tate Browning.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cerebral Palsy Foundation, 3 Columbus Circle, 15th Floor, New York NY 10019 or https://donate.cerebralpalsyfoundation.org.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rose Johnson NeSmith
Jesup—Rose Johnson NeSmith, 89, of Jesup and Nevils died on Feb. 15, 2026.
The Wayne County native was a member of Flint Branch Baptist Church, and she lived with her daughter in Nevils the past 20 years. She enjoyed taking care of others in their homes, as well as gardening, cooking, canning and fishing.
She was predeceased by former husbands, W.F. Dixon, Wilton Denison and Charles NeSmith; several siblings, Dorothy, Buddy, Dave, J.T., Elizabeth and Jean; and a son-in-law, Jody Davis.
Survivors include a daughter, Kim Davis of Nevils; four sons, Alvin (Gail) Dixon of Jesup, Robert (Marie) Dixon of Statesboro, Donnie Dixon of Odum and Tim (Stacie) Denison of Sylvania; a brother, Charles H. Johnson of Jesup; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Feb. 18 from Flint Branch Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Hickox and the Rev. Albert Dyal officiating. Interment followed in Flint Branch Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Ty Davis, Roger, Duane, and Rex Anderson, A.J. Dixon, Dustin Wasdin, Chris Nobles, and Brian Lane. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Jackson and Thomas Tyre.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Warnell Brantley
Jesup—Warnell Brantley, 63, of Jesup died Feb. 15, 2026, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was a retired Georgia Department of Trasportaion asphalt superintendent. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, running dogs in the fox pen, the rodeo (including playing the role of the “clown”), and trips to the river. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, W.A. and Pat Brantley; his sister, Carol Bozeman; and his brother, Billy Brantley.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Tina Poindexter Brantley of Jesup; four sons, Carlos Brantley, Jonathan Brantley, Levi (Darlene) Brantley and Hayden Harvey; several grandchildren; a sister, Patricia Ann Brantley of Jesup; three brothers, Bob, Larry and Victor Brantley, all of Jesup; several nieces, including Patty Collins; nephews; and father-in-law, George “Pop” (Jeanette) Shenk of Jesup.
Celebration-of-life services will be held today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Gladwin Harper officiating.
The family will receive friends an hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
Gary Kent Mallard
Brunswick—Gary Kent Mallard, 86, of Brunswick died peacefully surrounded by family on Feb. 15, 2026, in Brunswick.
He was born on Dec. 17, 1939, in Jesup. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved son, Johnny Dutka.
He was a man defined by strength, integrity, humor and unwavering devotion to his family. He retired from Georgia Pacific in 1994 after 30 years of dedicated service. He was a natural leader in all that he did, respected not because he sought recognition but because he lived what he believed. His handshake meant something, and his word was solid, his family said. He believed in doing things the right way and in working hard for what mattered most.
And what mattered most was always his family.
To those who loved him most, he was simply Daddy and Papa—steady, strong, dependable. If something was broken, you took it to Daddy, his family said. If something needed building, he knew how. If something seemed impossible, he would quietly figure it out. Providing for his family was not just a responsibility. It was his purpose. He showed his love through action, through long days of work, through fixing what was broken, and through showing up every single time, his family said.
He loved to tell jokes and get a good laugh. He was a master storyteller, the kind who could hold everyone’s attention and draw people in with every word. No matter how many times you heard the story, you never could get enough. He did not just tell stories. He relived them, bringing them to life with timing, expression and heart. His laughter filled rooms, and his presence filled hearts.
His favorite advice was simple and sincere: “Always do what makes you happy, and you will live a long and happy life.” And he did just that. He lived fully, loved deeply, and led his family with quiet strength and fierce loyalty, the family said.
Survivors include the love of his life, his devoted wife, Karla Mallard; his children, MeLinda Mallard Beck, Donna (John) DePollo, Mitch (Candice) Dutka and Brandi Mallard (Mitchell) Lee ; 11 grandchildren, Robert Gary Beck, Erica Botero, Briana Fitzgerald, Maegan Fields, Brody Dutka, Brett Dutka, Matthew Metty, Joch DePollo, Jenna DePollo, Jaedyn DePollo nd Maria Dutka; and nine great-grandchildren. Each one is a living reflection of the life he built and the love he gave, the family said.
The family added, “though our hearts are heavy, we do not grieve without gratitude. We are grateful for the laughter that still echoes in our memories, for the stories that will be told again and again at family gatherings, and for the steady hands that built the life we now stand upon. He showed us how to live with strength, humor, loyalty and love. He worked hard, loved harder, and left this world surrounded by family and at peace.
“The foundation he built cannot be shaken. His voice will live in our advice, his lessons in our choices, and his laughter in our homes. Every time we choose joy, just as he taught us, we honor him.
“Well done, Daddy. We will carry you with us always.”
Burial was held on Feb. 18 at Taylor’s Methodist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Tyler Fitzgerald, Josh Sizemore, Brody Dutka, Robert Gary Beck, Joch DePollo and Matthew Petty. Honorary pallbearers were Mitchell Lee and Brett Dutka.
Eda Miller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Royal
Willie Edward Leggett Sr.
Jesup—Willie Edward Leggett Sr., 85, of Jesup died Feb. 13, 2026, at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick, following a brief illness.
He was born on Oct. 23, 1940, to the late Samuel Leggett Sr. and Carrie Wallace-Leggett in the Mount Pleasant community.
He was educated in the Northside school system. After school, he joined the U.S. Army and retired after 27 years. He was also an employee of Sea Pak (Rich Products Corporation) in Brunswick. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing. He was the loving husband of the lateBetty Thorpe-Leggett.
He was preceded in death by both parents, Samuel Sr. and Carrie Leggett; his brothers, Samuel Leggett Jr. and “Buck” Leggett; and his sister, Barbara Jean Bennett.
Survivors include his children, Willie Edward (Sandra) Leggett Jr., Alfred (Glenda) Leggett, Deborah (Bobby) Spellman and Kelvin (Carolyn) Leggett, all of Jesup; his siblings, Louise Williams of Jesup, Raymond (LeVeto) Cheatham of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Calvin (Valerie) Cheatham of Kissimmee, Florida, Bobbie (Robert) Wilson of Miami, Florida and Elouise (Wilson) Robinson of Eastman; a niece, Stephanie (Darren) Barnes of Jesup; his nephews, Udra (Kim) Robinson of North Carolina, Mario Bennett of Darien, and Anthony (Shalonda) Bennett of Brunswick; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a cousin and close friend, Leroy Buggs of Mount Pleasant; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 at Royal Funeral Home Chapel in Jesup.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 311 N. Hickory St. Interment is in the Jesup City Cemetery.
Royal Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.