• Rinehart & Sons
Patricia Bryant
Jesup—Patricia “Patti” Park Bryant, 76, of Jesup died on Feb. 13, 2025, after a short illness.
The Wayne County native was the heart of the Jesup High School Class of 1966 and a lifelong fervent Yellow Jacket enthusiast. She was a member of the Jesup First United Methodist Church, the “Drop-In” Sunday School class, the Jesup Jaycettes, UMW Circle, and the Supper Club. She was the former owner of Buckles and Laces. She served as president of the Jaycettes and the UMW and worked as a teacher at the School of Discovery.
Her life revolved around her roles as wife, mother, grandmother and friend to innumerable people. She was a renowned cook in the finest Southern tradition, and she delighted in entertaining in her home. Her hallmark trait was her unique sense of humor, her “tell- it-like-it-is” attitude and her infectious laughter.
She was predeceased by her parents, Ben and Frances Park, and a sister, Lyn Park.
Survivors include her loving and devoted husband of 57 years, Kenny Bryant of Jesup; two daughters, Lauri (Craig) Davis and Brandi Edenfield, both of Jesup; a son, Dallas Bryant of Jesup; in-laws, Allen Edenfield and Larissa Patterson Bryant; grandchildren, Graham and Gray Davis, Rilie and Ryan Edenfield, and Bailey Bryant; a brother, the Rev. Brad (Debbie) Park of Baxley; a nephew, Derek (Janna) Park, and their daughter, Kinsley; a devoted four-legged companion, Zeus; and a loyal caregiver, Patti Lyle.
Celebration-of-life services were held Feb. 16 at Jesup First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jesup First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Melvin “Nick” Olliff
Callahan, Florida—Melvin “Nick” Olliff, 83, of Callahan died Feb. 12, 2025.
The Wayne County native was a retired electrician and supervisor with Western Electric Company.
Someone once said, “A pioneer is an innovator, a trailblazer, a mentor, a benefit to their community, a leader in making the world a better place,” and he exemplified this, his family said.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay Olliff; his parents, R.N. and Avie Olliff; a son, Kenny Olliff; and a granddaughter, Amy Marie DeLettre.
Survivors include a daughter, Angela DeLettre of Callahan; two grandsons, Brian DeLettre of Callahan and Cody (Julia) DeLettre of Orlando.
Graveside funeral services were held Feb. 17 in Big Creek Cemetery with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Joseph Larry Mansfield
Jesup—Joseph Larry Mansfield, 76, of Jesup died on Feb. 11, 2025.
On that day, a heart of gold stopped beating, his family said. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, who loved his family. He was a Wayne County native, the son of the late McKinley Mansfield and Mona Wilcher Mansfield Ford. He was a graduate of Wayne County High School and loved playing football with the Wayne County Yellow Jackets.
He was a 20-year retired U.S. Army veteran who continued his career working for several companies in the security field, where he advanced to the position of director of global security at General Electric, where he retired.
He was preceded in death by his father, McKinley Mansfield; his mother, Mona Wilcher Mansfield Ford; a grandson, Joseph Ronald McDaniel; and a great-grandson, Gabriel Lewis Alati.
Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Elizabeth “Liz” Mansfield; a son, Jamie Glenn (Laura) Mansfield of Howell, Michigan; three daughters, Joy Lynn (Kenny) Smolinski of Russellville, Arkansas, Angela Altia of Lapeer, Michigan and Andrea (Sam) Barnes (Sam) of Brookfield, Wisconsin; several grandchildren, Daniel (Kaitlyn) Alati, Terri (Jose) Regal, Joseph (Amy) Mansfield, Mark (Marion) Mansfield, Lauren Alati, Leronda (Vance) Garrison, and Reanna (Rich) Vasquez; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Jonathan “Charlie” (Linda) Smith; a sister, Sandra Harris; several nieces, nephews; and many other extended-family members.
A celebration-of-life service was held Feb. 16 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Justin Drawdy officiating. Interment was in the Jesup City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Kaiden Smith, Jay Harris, Micheal Manning, Steve Wilcher, Lew Wilcher, Adrain Swain and George “Spud” Swain.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Danny Strickland
Jesup—Danny Strickland, 65, of Jesup died Feb. 7, 2025.
The Wayne County native was a member of Jesup Church of God and a lifelong employee of The Press-Sentinel, ending his career as a production manager.
He loved to demonstrate his talent with woodworking and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Jay Johns; a niece, Lindsey Oliver; his father, Norris Strickland; his sister, Patti Strickland; and a brother, Dean Strickland.
Survivors include his wife, Regina Strickland of Jesup; a daughter, Kelli (J.R.) Johns of Jesup; two sons, Dylan (Misty) Drury and Chris (Liz) Parizo of Wisconsin; five grandchildren, Isabella, Chloe, Bradyn, Madilynn and Owen; his mother, Pat Strickland of Jesup; a sister, Diane (Mike) Blocker of Jesup; a brother, Donnie Strickland; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Feb. 15 in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Scott Hatten officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Linda Poindexter
Douglas—Linda Poindexter, 64, of Douglas died Feb. 14, 2025.
The Tennessee native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a homemaker.
She loved her fur babies, especially her dogs.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Jeanette Poindexter, along with her brother, Daniel Poindexter.
Survivors include her three sons, Kevin (Dray) Tyre, Herschel (Tim) Tyre and Lamar Tyre; her stepfather and caretaker, George Shenk of Jesup; two sisters, Nita Poindexter and Tina (Warnell) Brantley, of Jesup; and several nieces and nephews.
Private memorial services will be held by the family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Patricia Aspinwall Shepherd
Jesup—Patricia “Pat” Aspinwall Shepherd, 90, of Jesup died Feb. 14, 2025, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and a retired lab technician with ITT Rayonier. She enjoyed her career immensely and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. Her fur baby, Dutchess, was one of her dogs that she cherished.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hub and Marjorie Aspinwall, along with her sister, Dee Baxter.
Survivors include her husband of 32 years, Gary Shepherd of Jesup; a daughter, Yolonda Tankersley of Jesup; a son, Herbert Prince of Jesup; two grandchildren; and numerous other extended-family members and friends.
Funeral services were held Feb. 18 at Rinehart Chapel with Elders Thomas Waters, John Hubbard and Tyler Melton officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1618 Waycross Hwy., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Joseph Hugh “Joe” Harris III
Odum—Joseph Hugh “Joe” Harris III, 51, of Odum died Feb. 14, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
The Wayne County native was a Christian and a former multi-craft mechanical contractor. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, riding his Harley motorcycle, train watching and model trains, and ham and CB radios.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph H. Harris Jr., along with his grandparents, Evelyn and Joseph H. Harris Sr. and Bun and Emory Ammons.
Survivors include his children, Cadi Harris and her mother, Erica Owens, and Josie and Jace Harris, and their mother Elizabeth Harris; two grandchildren, P.J. and Kallan; his mother and stepfather, Cindy (Larry) Holloway of Odum; a sister, Amy Exum-Walker of Darien; a half-brother, Joseph Gabriel Harris of Florida; and several nephews, a niece and their children.
Memorial services will be held by the family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
Shirley Fore Williams
Valdosta—Shirley Fore Williams, 90, of Valdosta, died peacefully and surrounded by family on Feb. 9, 2025.
She was born on July 22, 1934, in Jesup to the late Troy Sr. and Nancy Delk Fore. A graduate of Jesup High School, she went on to have a fulfilling career, retiring as a loan officer with the former Park Avenue Bank.
She was a longtime member of Park Avenue Church, where she found great joy in her community. She was known for her strong commitment to family, friends and faith.
She was an avid gardener with a particular love for daylilies, cultivating an extensive garden that she proudly showcased at the 2010 National Daylily Convention. She served as the secretary for the Valdosta Daylily Society and was a devoted member of the Southwest Georgia Republican Women's Club.
Her passions extended beyond gardening, as she was a loyal supporter of both the Valdosta Wildcats and the Lowndes Vikings for many years.
In addition to her love for gardening and community involvement, she was an adventurer at heart. She traveled extensively, enjoying memorable experiences such as zip-lining for a mile-and-a-half in Costa Rica, taking a helicopter ride that landed on a glacier in Alaska, and exploring Europe. Her zest for life and her unyielding spirit made her a beloved figure in her family and community.
She is survived by her husband, Forrest Williams of Valdosta; her children, Gwyneth (Scott) Mabry of Chattanooga, Tennessee, William (Cathy) Davis III of Valdosta, and Shannon (TJ) Lasswell of Marietta; a stepson, Chip (Lorraine) Engle of Mayock, North Carolina; a stepdaughter-in-law, Joanna Engle of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren and spouses, Jason Padgett, James Thursby, Jessica (James) Devane, Will Davis, Julie Davis, and Kellsie (Kristian) Ruane; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Christine Bennett; and a sister-in-law, Mary Fore.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, William (Bill) E. Davis Jr.; her stepson, Jack Engle, her brother, Troy Fore Jr.; and her brother-in-law, Bob Bennett.
Funeral services were held on Feb. 12 at Park Avenue Church with the Rev. Jamie Bone and Dr. Craig Rikard officiating. The burial was in McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.mclanecares.com.