Daphne Thompson Gest
Screven--Daphne Thompson Gest, 48, of Screven died April 21, 2020, at her home surrounded by her family and her work family, Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was a member of Odum Baptist Church and a fantastic Hospice of South Georgia nurse. She spent her life caring for her boys, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, family and patients.
She loved to be on the water jet skiing and enjoying all parts of lake and river life.
She was predeceased by her mother, Gail Thompson, and grandparents, Sidney and Robbie Moseley and Chester Thompson Sr.
Survivors include two sons, Clayton (Haley) Gest of Jesup and Weston (Bree) Gest of Screven; three grandchildren, Brailee, Kennedy and Bryce Gest; parents, Chester (Shanda) Thompson Jr. of Odum; sister, Chessica (Michael) O’Banion of Odum; two brothers, Richard (Nikki) Thompson of Jesup and Steve (Monica) Madray of Georgetown, Texas; a grandmother, Clara Thompson of Odum; several nieces and nephews, Chrissie and Mariana O’Banion, Arlyn Thompson, Cope and Vann Madray; special aunts, Olene Moody, Onnie Osborne and Patricia Blanton; and a special cousin, Danette Browning.
Special honorary pallbearers will be Hospice of South Georgia staff, J.T. Manuel, Snapper Daniels, Amy Jones, Bandy Strickland and Ian Greene.
Family graveside funeral services were held April 23 in Odum City Cemetery with the Rev. Stanley Todd and the Rev. Jack Lee officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Frankie Surrency Madray
Odum--Frankie Surrency Madray, 87, of Odum died April 22, 2020, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was a member of Jesup Church of God and former secretary at Waynline, Bailey Drilling Company and Collins Fabrication.
She was an avid flower and vegetable gardener who enjoyed cooking for her family and visiting with friends.
Her husband, O.C. Madray, preceded her in death, along with her four brothers‚ Labon, Robert, Cecil and Hovis Surrency.
Survivors include a daughter, Charla (Russell) Hilton of Odum; three sons, Elbert (Pam) Madray of Odum, Darryl (Kimberly) Madray of Jesup and Wade (Sonya) Madray of Odum; grandchildren, Ryan (Erica) Madray, Victoria (Michael Paul) Rainwater, Heather Madray, Cody (Krystal) Madray, Colby Madray, Dylan Madray, Garrett Hilton and Gavin Hilton; several great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty Anderson of Odum; and several nieces and nephews.
Private family graveside funeral services were held April 24 at Red Hill Cemetery with Pastors Calvin Anderson and Clayton Dowd officiating. Active pallbearers were her grandsons.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James Wayne Smith
Jesup--James Wayne Smith, 92, died peacefully April 22, 2020, at his home in Jesup.
He was born Sept. 1, 1927. He was the son of George Lee Smith Sr. and Grace Womack Smith. He grew up on Orange Street in Jesup as a child of the Great Depression. He married Ruby Carter Smith of Jesup in 1947. They were married for 56 years until her death in 2003. He was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, and he graded the lot where the church now stands.
He was known to his friends as “Hatchet,” and as a youth he could be seen driving around town in a “car” that he fashioned from a washing-machine motor
Renowned raconteur and spinner of yarns, he had a talent for making friends and a genius for amusing them with his quick wit and elaborate stratagems.
His good humor never failed to bring a smile, even on a cloudy day. Known to some as “The Mayor of Doctortown” (which had no mayor), he hunted and fished along the Altamaha before the big trees fell. He was a sure shot, hitting thrown targets with a .22 rifle time after time.
He worked in highway construction for more than 60 years, most notably with Shepherd Construction and R.B. Baker Construction Companies. He retired in 2008 at age 81. There were times when his work on the interstate highways took him away from home, but he always returned to his beloved Jesup.
Upon retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. One of his favorite activities was his daily visits with his comrades in the “Liars Club,” where he was deemed chief entertainer.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Eloise Carter; and two brothers, George Smith and Jack Smith, whose donated kidney gave life and health to Wayne for more than 40 years.
Survivors include two children, G.R. Smith (Linda Poppell) of Savannah and Toni (Jonny) Harris of Greenview Farms, Screven; five grandchildren, Joshua (Dana) Smith of Savannah, Benjamin (Katherine) Smith of Atlanta, Jon (Christel) Harris and Paul (Haley) Harris of Screven, and Kacee Harris (Justin) Davis of Hinesville; 13 beloved great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
The family thanks all the wonderful and compassionate individuals who assisted in his care during the last few years, particularly those who remained with him to the end--Trish, Danette, Robin, Linda and Rose.
Owing to the current pandemic, private graveside services were held at the Jesup City Cemetery on April 25 with the Rev. Garth Duke-Barton officiating.
Memorials may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1134, Jesup, GA 31598; Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545; and the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sylvia Stone Cartrette
Screven--Sylvia Stone Cartrette, 79, of Screven died April 26, 2020.
The Florida native had lived in Wayne County the past 28 years and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. The homemaker was also a custodian along with her husband at Screven Elementary School for many years.
She was a master at crafts while painting murals for the church and woodworking home crafts.
She was predeceased by her husband, George W. Cartrette; daughter, Tammy Strickland; and son, Johnathan Keith Carter.
Survivors include a son, Eric (Angela) Cartrette of Louisburg, North Carolina; a stepson, Gary Cartrette of Warwick, Rhode Island; a stepdaughter, Shirley Cook of Warwick; grandchildren, David Strickland, Jimmy, Anthony and Brandon Bryson, Amy Humphries, Casey Carter, Brittany Uribe, Matthew and Reta Cartrette; a sister, Iris (Bobby) Stewart of Jacksonville, Fla.; two brothers, D.C. (Linda) Stone of Jacksonville, Florida and Johnie (Carolyn) Stone of Richmond Hill; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Private family graveside funeral services were held April 28 with Dr. Ron Wilcox officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of arrangements.
Ian Nathaniel Cothern
Jesup--Ian Nathaniel Cothern, 24, of Jesup died April 27, 2020, after a courageous battle with Duch-enne Muscular Dystrophy.
The Wayne County native was a high school graduate and a history buff who loved playing video games.
Survivors include his parents, Richard and Mary Friese Cothern of Jesup; maternal grandmother, Frances Friese of Jesup; paternal grandmother, Veranda Cothern of Jesup; and devoted cousin and best friend, Hunter Lee of Jesup.
Owing to COVID-19, private services are being held by the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Muscular Dystrophy Association, 161 N. Clark, Suite 3550, Chicago, IL, 60601.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Thelma Powers Smith
Jesup--Thelma Powers Smith, 79, of Jesup died April 27, 2020.
The Wayne County native was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and homemaker.
She was the widow of Allen Monroe Smith.
Survivors include a daughter, Brenda (Bobby) Westberry of Jesup; a granddaughter, Bethany (Charles) Hupp of Sisterville, West Virginia; a great-grandson, Jace Hupp; three sisters, Virginia Moseley of Jesup, Louise Davis of Jacksonville, North Carolina and Mary Spears of Indianapolis, Indiana; two brothers, Douglas Powers and Robert “Buddy” Powers, both of Jesup; and several nieces and nephews.
Private graveside funeral services will be held Thursday at O’Quinn Cemetery with the Rev. Kipp Manning officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.