• Howard
Danette Mallard
Odum—Danette Mallard, 65, died on March 26, 2026, at her home under the care of her family and Georgia Hospice Care.
Born in Jesup, she lived in Odum all of her life. She drove a school bus for several years in Wayne County and was a homemaker. She was a horse enthusiast all of her life, often riding in area parades. She was a lady of tremendous faith and a prayer warrior who cherished time spent with family. She was a member of the New Life Church family.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Tommy Stoddard, and her aunt, Ruth Atkinson.
Survivors include her husband, Marvin Mallard of Odum; children, Brandon (Amy) Campbell and Kevin (Sarah) Mallard of Odum, Tosha (Harry) Brijnath of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Marvin “Fred” Mallard of Savannah; a sister, Trisha (Mike) Mendez of Jesup; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on March 30 at New Life Church in Jesup with Pastor Justin Drawdy officiating. Burial followed in Odum City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Judah Kinard, Garrett Kinard, Paul Landon, Farris Moody, Zane Poole and Don Adams. Honorary pallbearers were members of the staff of Georgia Hospice Care.
Remembrances are suggested to New Life Church, 1255 Joey Williamson Road, Jesup, GA 31545.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Arrangements were under the direction of Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici.
• Howard & Jones
Gail Wasdin
Jesup—Janice Gail Wasdin, 89, died peacefully on March 28, 2026, at Hospice of South Georgia after an extended illness.
A resident of Jesup for the past 25 years, she was born on Feb. 11, 1937, in Bristol to the late Clyde and Jeannette Quinby Wasdin. She spent her early years in Screven and graduated from Screven High School in the class of 1954.
She continued her education at South Georgia College in Douglas before moving to Atlanta ,where she lived most of her life. She was known for having exquisite taste and had worked as an interior decorator and fashion model in her younger years. She was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Austell, before relocating to Jesup, where she joined First United Methodist Church and became an active member. She was always highly involved in the church and was a member of the Joy Sunday School Class.
She also volunteered her time with the Animal Refuge Foundation (ARF) of Jesup because she adored all of God’s creation, her family said. She devoted herself to the care of animals and other people, and she always placed their needs before her own. She cherished the time she spent with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren.
Survivors include her daughter, Rebecca Jordan of Atlanta; a son, Andrew Lockwood of Dania Beach, Florida; two grandchildren, Lucas and Jessica Jordan; one sister, Chotsy Waites of Decatur; a nephew, Adam (Olivia) Waites and their daughter, Lexi; and numerous extended-family members.
Graveside funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Screven City Cemetery with the Rev. Garth Duke-Barton officiating. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the services.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Linda Blanton Baker
Jesup—Linda Blanton Baker, 70, died peacefully on March 24, 2026, at Hospice of South Georgia.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, she was born on Aug. 15, 1955, to the late J.A. and Eria Lee Blanton. She graduated from Wayne County High School and began to travel extensively with her husband as he worked with the pipefitter union for many years.
She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, and she was always active in the lives of her son and her grandchildren. When her son, Jay, was younger, she volunteered at his school and helped wherever it was needed. In her spare time, she always enjoyed playing cards and crafting.
She truly loved spending time with her family. In her younger days, she and her late husband, Ira J. Baker III rode motorcycles, and when her grandchildren were born, she cherished the time they spent together because she loved being a Granny.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Mae, Doll and Ike, and her twin sister, Gail Blanton Smiley.
Survivors include her son, Ira J. “Jay” (Petrina) Baker IV of Guy, Arkansas; grandchildren, Analee and Bryson Baker of Guy; a brother, Johnny Lee Blanton of Jesup; a sister, Mary (Chuck) Seckinger of Jesup; the daughter of her twin sister who was more like a daughter to her, Kristin (Steven) Jolin of Jesup; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Visitation will be held today (Thursday) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup. Graveside funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in Jesup City Cemetery with the Rev. Dale Bange officiating.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Rinehart & Sons
Craig C. Brack
Odum—Craig C. Brack, 79, of Odum died March 28, 2026.
The Chatham County native and former resident of Waverly had lived in Wayne County for the past several years. He was a retired district engineer with the Georgia Department of Transportation and deputy commissioner for DOT for several years. He was instrumental in helping to win a national award for innovation of traffic flow for metropolitan areas in Georgia and other states involving disastrous events.
He loved nature and the great outdoors, with fishing being his favorite pastime. He was predeceased by a brother, Arthur Brack.
Survivors include his wife, Teresa Sharpe Brack of Odum; two daughters, Mia Brack of Jacksonville, Florida, and Whitney (Ashley) Brown of Odum; two grandchildren, Tucker and Tinsley Hires of Odum; sisters, Martha C. (Lynn) Brack of Jacksonville, Karen (Anita) Brack of Clayton, Nancy (Terri) Potter-Brack of Whidbey Island, Washington; brothers, E.A. (Karen) Brack Jr. of Jacksonville and Terry (Cheryl) Brack of Brunswick; and many nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-life services will be held Friday, April 3, at 11 a.m. at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tim Horne and Gary Priester officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be friends and family.
Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to services at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Georgia Chapter, 6065 Roswell Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30328.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.