• Rinehart & Sons
Samuel Jorgensen Sr.
Jesup—Samuel Jorgensen Sr., 78, of Jesup died on Feb. 16, 2026.
The Alma native lived in Wayne County most of his adult life, was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in the Vietnam War. He was retired from Rogers Body Shop after 30 years.
He was a Christian and loved car racing (especially drag racing), boxing and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Verna Jorgensen; and his two brothers, Ken and Ricky Jorgensen.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Karen M. Jorgensen of Jesup; two daughters, Tracy (Wayne) Mullis of Jesup and Rachel Tootle of Jesup; a son, Samuel (Angie) Jorgensen Jr., of Brunswick; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration-of-life service was held Feb. 21 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sally Sitler Wasdin
Jesup—Sally Sitler Wasdin, 81, of Jesup died Feb. 19, 2026, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Hilo, Hawaii, native and former resident of Santa Barbara, California, had lived in Wayne County the past 46 years and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class.
She was a retired Wayne County Home Health employee and in her spare time enjoyed cooking, playing games and taking care of her family.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Hilda Sitler, and her sister, Carol Sitler.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Ron Wasdin of Jesup; a daughter, Carrie (James) Strickland of Jesup; two sons, Greg (Crystal) Wasdin and Brett (Amy) Wasdin, all of Jesup; a sister-in-law, Millie Wasdin of Brunswick; grandchildren, Reed (Rebecca) Wasdin, Ansley (Issac) Mock, Spencer (fiancé, Andrew Swindell) Wasdin, Layne Wasdin, Ella Gill, Hunter Wasdin, Madison (Jeremiah) Douglas, Cieara Smith, Austin (Kyler) Smith and Caroline Carter; and several great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Feb. 23 at Rinehart Chapel with Pastor Pete Boyd and the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating. Interment followed in Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Matt Spell, Jake Spell, Melvin Boyette, Ken Boyette, Darrell Wasdin and Joe Roberson. Honorary pallbearers were her Sunday school members.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 415 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Samuel “Sam” Waddell
Jesup—Samuel “Sam” Waddell, 75, of Jesup died on Feb. 18, 2026, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Manchester native had lived in Wayne County most of his adult life and was a 1970 Wayne County High School graduate. He retired from Brunswick Pulp and Paper after 15 years.
He was a former member of Piney Grove Church of God, where he taught Sunday school for more than 18 years and served on the council board for over 16 years. For the past 15 years, he was a member of New Life Church, where he used his amazing skills to cook and smoke meats. Metal detecting and treasure hunting were his favorite hobbies.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James “Boy” and Ruth Phillips, and his brother, Felton “Tinker” Waddell.
Survivors include his loving wife of 38 years, Eunice Waddell of Jesup; two sons, Devin (Yoshiko) Waddell of Japan and Michael (Laura) Westberry of Jesup; a daughter, Sherry Ann (Ryan) Gibbs of Jesup; grandchildren, Chelsea Palmer, Anthony (Mika) Yoder, Briley Ayn Westberry, Aiana Waddell, Ian Waddell and Kamden Gibbs; great-grandchildren, Bryson and Kambree Palmer, Silva West Yoder; a brother, Melvin (Judy) Waddell of Jesup; a sister, Mary Ann (Clarence) Nettles of Jesup; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services were held Feb. 22 at New Life Church with Pastor Justin Drawdy officiating. Interment followed in Omega Cemetery in Baxley. Active pallbearers were Greg and Ron Carter, Kyle Mosley, Jacob Pitts, Johnny Fulghum and Alex Pye. Honorary pallbearers were members of the staff of Hospice of South Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, 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.
Roy Wiggins
Jesup—Roy Wiggins, 82, of Jesup died Feb. 20, 2026, under the care of Georgia Hospice Care.
The Wayne County native had been a faithful employee of Jesup Tire Shop and even after retiring, he remained one of the company’s biggest champions. His passion never faded—he was known to keep tinkering with tires at home.
When he wasn’t working, he would love to go drop a line in the water and collect old bottles. Family was very important to him, and family members returned that respect taking care of him in his last days.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Marie Pierce Wiggins; their son, Ted Wiggins; a daughter, Peggy Wiggins May; a granddaughter, Krystal May; brothers, Earl, Ed, Donald and Wayne Wiggins; and a sister, Lorene Grant.
Survivors include three daughters, April (Robbie) Finch of Odum, Wendy Clay of Jesup and Chasity (Garrett) Smith of Baxley; a son, Roger (Sonya) Wiggins of Swansea, South Carolina; sisters, Betty Hodges and Avis (Ron) Lewis; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Feb. 23 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Calvin Anderson officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Roger Wiggins, Richard Yarbrough, Robbie Finch, Kevin May Jr., Neio and Kagy Slaughter and Garrett Smith. Honorary pallbearers were former and current employees of Jesup Tire Shop.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Carol Morgan Blanton
Jesup—Carol Morgan Blanton, 63, died peacefully on Feb. 23, 2026, at her home in Jesup.
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, to Theron Roy Sr. and Faye Morgan, she was one of eight children—four brothers and three sisters. She is remembered for her dedication to work, family and friends. She enjoyed shrimping in her free time.
She loved her time spent with her husband and children and being a pillar for reliability. She will be warmly remembered as am employee with Wayne Drug for more than 23 years.
Since her cervical-cancer diagnosis in 2024, she has faced unimaginable hardships, from chemo and radiation, her family said, adding that she will live on in her husband and their children. She is at peace with her parents in heaven, her family said.
Survivors include her husband Elbie Ray Blanton; a son, Cory Blanton of Hinesville; and a daughter, Rachael Blanton of Titusville, Florida.
Her family added, “a life beautifully lived, now a memory tenderly kept.”
Graveside services were held Feb. 25 from Jesup City Cemetery with the Rev. Dale Bange officiating.
Rinehart & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Janice Sellers Leggett
Odum—Janice Sellers Leggett, 84, of Odum died Feb. 23, 2026.
The Pierce County native had lived in Wayne County for most of her life and was a member of New Hope Free Will Baptist Church and the Senior Adult Sunday school class. She had a servant’s heart, and cooking was her love language. She and her husband, James, gave of their time, talents and gifts for their church.
She was predeceased by her husband, James Elwood Leggett; a brother, Donald Sellers; and a niece, Melinda Thornton.
Survivors include her daughters, Kathy (Cozzie) Moye of Waycross, Bonnie (the Rev. Roger) Vest of Douglasville and Sheila (Lamar) Wells of Jesup; grandchildren, Grady (Amber) Vest, Mary Frances Vest-Wood (Bo) and Ella Grace Wells; great-grandson, Emmett Wayne Vest; a sister, Joyce (Frankie) Altman; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Horne and the Rev. Roger Vest officiating. Interment will be in New Hope Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family and friends.
Family will receive friends an hour prior to services at the church.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Howard and Jones
Luis Antonio
Perez-Alcaide
Jesup—Luis Antonio Perez-Alcaide, 65, died on Feb. 18, 2026, at Select Specialty Hospital in Savannah with his loving wife by his side.
He was born on June 24, 1960, in Manhattan, New York, and in 1989 he made Jesup his home. A proud United States Army veteran, he carried himself with strength and dedication. He found joy in playing golf, taking peaceful rides in the country, and most of all, spending time with his family and his beloved animals.
He was preceded in death by his father, Luis Mario Perez, and a special aunt, Aida Alcaide.
Survivors include his devoted wife, Brenda Perez; daughters, Elimaida Perez of Philadelphia and Emileida Perez of Florida; a son, Jimmy Spoon of Jesup; grandchildren, Austin Spoon of Texas, Dylan Spoon (Mallory Crosby) of Jesup and Abbie Wells Spoon of Maryland; mother, Gladys Alcaide of Puerto Rico; a brother, Elvin Aguilar of Florida; a sister, Lily Aguilar of Puerto Rico; and numerous extended-family members and dear friends who will miss him greatly.
The family will hold a celebration-of-life ceremony at a later date.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.