• Rinehart & Sons
Janette Drury Nail Clark
Thalmann—Janette Drury Nail Clark, 93, of Thalmann died Feb. 4, 2025.
She had resided in the Mount Pleasant community the past 20 years and was a member of Glynn Baptist Church in Thalmann. She was a lifelong homemaker and in her leisure time enjoyed traveling, crocheting, fishing, gardening and cooking.
She was preceded in death by her former husbands, I.C. “Council” Nail and B.C. Clark.
Survivors include two daughters, Earnestine (Steve) Harper of Moun Pleasant and Debbie (Bill) Nattrass of Thalmann; two sons, Rafael (Robin) Nail of Baxley and Gary Nail of Mount Pleasant; four grandchildren, Ashby and Wyatt Nail, Stephanie (Doug) Chadwick and Kayla (Brent) McDaniel; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Feb. 8 at Rinehart Chapel with Pastor Rick Turner officiating. Interment followed in Whitaker Hill Cemetery, Hwy. 32 and Post Road, in Mount Pleasant. Active pallbearers were her family and friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Janice Mallard Thompson
Jesup—Janice Mallard Thompson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully on Feb. 5, 2025, at the age of 69.
Born on Sept. 21, 1955, in Jesup, she spent her entire life in the community she cherished. She dedicated her career to the Department of Juvenile Justice, especially to the youth of Wayne County, making a lasting impact on countless lives. Known for her kind heart and selfless love, she always put others before herself, embodying compassion in everything she did, according to her family.
She was a devoted wife to Roger, the love of her life. Together, they built a beautiful family that brought her immense joy. She also found joy in the simple pleasures of life, from summer trips to the beach with her family to spending time in her garden. Her warmth and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her, according to her family.
Her parents, Tom and Wynell Mallard, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her loving husband, Roger W. Thompson of Jesup; her two daughters, Lynn Sikes and Laura (Michael) Westberry; her cherished grandchildren, Anthony (Mikah) Yoder, Jack (Cassie) Sikes and Briley Ayn Westberry; her great-grandson, Parker “Crew” Sikes; and a sister, Merry Mallard (Larry) Morgan.
A celebration-of-her-life service was held Feb. 8 at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Vann Dempsey and the Rev. Tim Horne officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Josh Thompson, Larry Priester, Benji Ogden, Brian Ogden, Randall Aspinwall and Shawn Tootle.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Pam Poppell
Odum—Pam Poppell, 79, of Odum died Feb. 7, 2025 under Georgia Hospice Care.
The Wayne County native was a Christian and a retired Odum Elementary School paraprofessional. She loved to work puzzles, shop, garden and camp.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin “Nig” Poppell; a daughter, Vanessa Poppell Firebaugh; a granddaughter, Kendra Firebaugh; and her mother, Inez Morosky.
Survivors include her family, Jennifer, Kristin and Steve Tupper, Beth Roberts and her family, Tiffany Firebaugh (Corey) Johnson, Rita (Ken) Scott, and Kirk (Becky) Morosky, and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held Feb. 9 from Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was is in charge of arrangements.
Linda Smith
Jesup—Linda Smith, 77, of Jesup died Feb. 7, 2025, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Appling County native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a Christian. She was a retired seamstress and enjoyed taking care of her great-grandson and cooking.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Smith; and her son, Franklin Lamar Hand.
Survivors include a daughter, Shirley (Terry) Martin of Jesup; a son, Bobby (Rhonda) Smith Jr. of Wrens; five grandchildren, Linda Hand, Erica (Ben) Sisson, Emily Martin (fiance’ Hunter Mixon), Chandler Smith, and Sadie Smith; and a great-grandson, Braiden.
Graveside funeral services were held Feb. 10 in Smyrna Cemetery, 671 Landfill Road, Nahunta, with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Ellen Rowell Anderson
Jesup—Mary Ellen Rowell Anderson, 89, died Feb. 9, 2025, under the care of Cotton Grove Estates and Georgia Hospice Care.
The Brantley County native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a retired paraprofessional with the Wayne County school system. She was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class.
She enjoyed cooking, family, friends, growing flowers and being “Mema” to her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Lenox Anderson; and siblings, Willene Clements, Vanzie Teston, Truman, Bill and Joe Rowell.
Survivors include her daughter, Angie (Kenny) Poppell of Jesup; grandchildren, Alex (Madeline) Croy of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and Callyn Croy (fiance’ Judd Ogden) of Jesup and Logan (Hannah) Poppell of Jesup; a brother, Mike (Pat) Rowell of St. Marys; and a special friend, Sheila Rogers.
Funeral services were held Feb. 12 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with pastors Vann Dempsey and Pete Boyd officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family and friends. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Senior Adult Sunday School Class and the staff of Cotton Grove Estates.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 9, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Joseph Allen Landon
Baxley—Joseph Allen Landon, 70, died peacefully on Feb. 6, 2025, at Lakeview Retirement Center in Baxley under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
A resident of Waycross for most of his life, he was born on Dec. 28, 1954, in Pierce County to the late, George Otis “G.O.” Landon and Vera Roberson Landon. A true jack of all trades, he was a self-employed carpenter who worked as a subcontractor many years for several local contractors. In his spare time, he loved fishing and playing music on one of the many guitars he had collected over the years. He also enjoyed small building projects around the house, and he always loved spending time with his beloved family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, J.R., James, Ray, Julian and Lawton Landon; two sisters, Janice Manning and Jeanette Peacock; and stepson Jacob Boatright.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Landon of Waycross; six children, Sheri Roberson of Brantley County, Joseph “Bo” Landon of Pierce County, Robert (Krissy) Landon of Waycross and Amanda Landon, Joshua Landon and Michael Landon, all of Waycross; sisters, Wanda Bradley of Eufaula, Alabama, and Shirley Landon of Blackshear and Betty Summers of Alma; a brother, Jerry Paul (Barbara) Landon of Screven; a stepdaughter, Kelly (Jonny) Sexton of Ann Arbor, Michigan; grandchildren, Lisa and Jesse Roberson, Brianna Mancil, Kodi Hale, Sianna Goldberg, R.J. Landon and Austin, Dylan and Weston Sexton; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members; and his special friends, Terry Boatright of Baxley, Josh Kirkland of Waycross and Bobby and Judy Mancil of Axson.
Graveside funeral services were held Feb. 9 at Red Hill Cemetery in Jesup with the Rev. Dale Bange officiating.
The family has requested special thanks be given to Jana Yawn and all the staff at Lakeview Retirement Center in Baxley, Hospice of South Georgia staff and the staff that cared for Joseph at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. “You have all gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that every need was met and you have done so in a caring and compassionate way. We are truly thankful for you all,” the family said.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Howard
Susan Jeanette Mitchell
Jesup—Susan Jeanette Mitchell, 77, died Feb. 2, 2025, in Screven and under the care of her family and Hospice of South Georgia.
Born in Screven, she lived in Savannah for several years and returned to Wayne County in 1997. In her early years, she worked in accounting and was a homemaker. She was a lady with a huge, giving heart, known for playing her scratch-offs and giving most of it away when she saw a need, her family said.
She enjoyed traveling, baseball and NASCAR and was a member of Isle of Hope Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Mitchell, and her grandsons, Christopher Mitchell and Dylan Hargrove.
Survivors include her daughters, Keryl (Frank) Glenn of Belle Glade, Florida, Karyn (Doug) Hardee of Midway and Kelly (Jason) Weaver of Screven; a son, Charlie (Holly) Mitchell of Jesup; a sister, Marilyn Florie of Savannah; grandchildren, Lindsey Glenn, Logan (Alex) Brodmann, Abby (Michael) Drawdy, Maddy Jones, Autumn (Marc) Hargrove, Chase Mitchell, Madison Bryson, Mabry Lammons, Kenzie Mitchell, Reagan (Seth) Horton, Mallory Weaver, Jaylee Weaver and Emilee Weaver; great-grandchildren, Libby, Easton, Lennox, Mason, C.J., Samuel, Elaine, Larayne and Jax; and several nieces and nephews.
Committal services were held Feb. 6 at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville with pastor Dale Bange officiating.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Arrangements were under the direction of Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici.