• Howard
Christine Jones Lewis
Baxley—Christine Jones Lewis, 81, died May 6, 2026, at her home under the care of her family and Hospice of South Georgia.
Born in Odum, she lived most of her life in Wayne and Appling counties. She retired from the Wayne County school system food services and was a homemaker and caregiver. She enjoyed putting up summer vegetables and spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was a member of Melton’s Chapel Methodist Church in Appling County and was preceded in death by her husbands, Freddie Thornton and Robert Lewis; a daughter, Debra Thornton; a grandson, Jacob Thornton; parents, Leonard Sr., and Lorene Long Jones; and siblings, Leonard Jr., Gene, Kenny, Charles and Herschel Jones.
Survivors include her son, Stacy (Tammy) Thornton of Jesup; a sister, Vel James of Jesup; a brother, Donald (Hazel) Jones of Jacksonville, Florida; a brother-in-law, Ted (Shirley) Thornton of Screven; a stepdaughter, Diane Lewis; and a stepson, Larry (Jeanie) Lewis; grandchildren, Chase (Tiffany) Thornton and Luan (Brian) Register; great-grandchildren, Anna, Jordon, Brantley and Brendan; several nieces and nephews; and a faithful friend and caregiver, Caroline Story.
Funeral services were held May 9 at Faith Chapel SCMC in Jesup with the Rev. James Carter officiating. Burial followed in Big Creek Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Steve Jones, Michael Jones, Brandon Jones, Ken Jones, Gary Pierce and Luke Carter.
Remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545, of Faith Chapel SCMC, P.O. Box 1024, Jesup, GA 31598.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici was in charge of arrangements.
• Rinehart & Sons
Freddie Otha Sikes
Jesup—Freddie Otha Sikes, 76, of Jesup died May 8, 2026, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Bacon County native had lived in Wayne County most of his life and was a member of Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church. He loved fishing and spending time with his family and friends.
His wife of 49 years, Marilyn A. Tillman Sikes, preceded him in death along with his parents, Mitchell and Eunita Harris Sikes; brothers, Harold, Eddie and Neal Sikes; and a great-grandson, DeOntia Butler Jr.
Survivors include his children, Louis (Dana) Terrell of Jacksonville, Florida, Dana (Roy) Tabb of Jesup and Joshua (Logan) Sikes of Hortense; grandchildren, Roy (Andie) Arielle, Alexxis Tabb, Matthew Terrell, Anthony Jordan, Joshlyn, Dakota and Oliver Axel Sikes; great-grandchildren, Bryelle, Ryder, Kinsley, Korbin, Ariabella, Kordale and Oaklie Tabb; a sister, Wilma “Faye” Cribbs; sisters-in-law, Paula Sikes and Ernestine Scurry; brothers-in-law, Charles and Kenneth Tillman and Sylvester “Buddy” Scurry; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be planned at a later date.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bobbie Barnard Kicklighter
Jesup—Bobbie Barnard Kicklighter, 92, of Jesup died May 8, 2026.
The Tattnall County native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. Most of her career as a personnel manager at Kmart was spent in Jesup. Her favorite pastime was riding her John Deere lawnmower and tending to her flowers in her yard. Baking was her love language for her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, when she would always have her famous chocolate chip cookies, snowballs or peanut butter balls.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, Jack Kicklighter; her parents, Harold and Ena Moseley Barnard; and two sisters, Suzanne Barnard Gordy and Belinda Nora Barnard.
Survivors include a daughter, Sharon McBee of Jesup; a son, Andy (Allison) Kicklighter of Jesup; four grandchildren, Michael (Janice) McBee of Jesup, Sierra (Joseph) Farmer of Dalton, Katy (Cory) Maddox of Jesup and Chelsie (Kevin) Morris of Jesup; 10 great-grandchildren, Gracie, Avarie, Ayla, Reese, Adyson, Bryson, Jackson, Connor, Brooks and Nolan; a brother, Jerry (Essie Ruth) Barnard of Glennville; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 15, at 11 a.m. at Rinehart Chapel with pastors Terry Jackson and P.J. Flores officiating. Private burial will immediately follow in the Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sally Lindholm Sculati
Jesup—Sally Lindholm Sculati, 92, formerly of Spread Eagle, Wisconsin, died May 11, 2026, in Jesup.
She was raised in Iron Mountain, Michigan, with her parents, Harold and Selma, as well as her brother and two sisters. She graduated from Iron Mountain High School in the class of 1952.
She was predeceased by her beloved daughter Joan and husband, Marvin.
She is survived by her brother, Dick, and his wife, Karen, of Felch, Michigan; children, Mike (Doreen) of South Bend, Indiana, Jean (John) of Raleigh, North Carolina, Marlene (Jeff) of Jesup, Jim (Lori) of Savannah and Mark (Barbara) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended-family members.
She had a deep love for the communities of Iron Mountain and Spread Eagle. She dedicated many years of volunteer service to the local St. Vincient de Paul. At the lake, “Auntie Sally’s” door was always open to generations of children with a dish of candy never far from reach.
A family memorial service will be held this summer at Spread Eagle; her ashes will be interred at Park Cemetery at that time.
The family offers sincere appreciation to the staff of At Home Senior Living and Hospice of South Georgia for the care and love they have given “Miss Sally” over the last few years.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Mary Flowers
Odum—Mary Flowers of Odum and St. Simons Island, 89, died on May 9, 2026, at home on St. Simons Island under the loving care of her daughter, Sherena, and devoted caregiver, Joy Lynn.
She grew up in Screven and graduated from Screven High School. She earned two master’s degrees, one in 1975 and another in 1989. She was strong and determined, yet loving and giving. She relished being a mother and a wife. She was a hard worker, organized, detailed and very conscientious.
She was instrumental in the operation of the family farm with her late husband of 68 years, John A. Flowers. When she wasn’t working on the farm, she worked at Wayne Memorial Hospital, where she retired as human resources administrator with more than 23 years of service. During her tenure at WMH, she shared the gift of education with many of her co-workers by encouraging them to take advantage of the scholarship programs available, which resulted in the addition of numerous successful candidates for the positions of registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, laboratory technologist and other credentialed health care employees.
She was a member of O’Quinn Baptist Church and a former member of Odum Baptist Church; however, most recently she had enjoyed attending evening services at The Church of Eleven 22, Jesup campus, as she was able.
She practiced her Christian faith in so many different ways, including using her gift of hospitality. She enjoyed sharing the family’s island home with countless people over the years, including honeymooners, ministers and missionaries, or as a refuge for needy families, a shelter for the widowed and dying, and to others, simply as a place for rest and relaxation. She was a lover of animals who had cared for many cats and dogs throughout her life. She had a special place in her heart for strays and cast-offs. When time allowed, she enjoyed planning trips with her beloved family and friends, traveling all over the United States, to Europe, and to far-flung places such as Morocco.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Leo and Verdie King; husband, John A. Flowers; son-in-law, Bryant Arrington; brothers, Harold O. (Jean) King, Basil (Betty) King and their son, Basil Lee, Ben (Betty) King and their son, David, Levon (Gloria) King and their son, Jonathan; infant brother, Troy King; brother-in-law, Sumpter “Red” Flowers; sister-in-law, Wanda Flowers; step-grandson, Greg Queen; stepsisters-in-law, Francis Rigdon and Sharon Waldron Myers; stepbrothers-in-law, Douglas Crawford, Mickey Gignilliat, and David Waldron; and surrogate children, Samuel “Sambo” Carr, Roger Carr, Ernest Carr, Myrtle “Duck” Carr Ingram and Lottie Carr Strachan.
Survivors include a daughter, Sherena Arrington; step-granddaughter Kristy (Clint) Queen, and their son, Garrison; a close cousin, Mary Lou Drury; a brother-in-law, Rickey Flowers; a sister-in-law, Judy Flowers; stepsisters-in-law, LoAnn Waldron Lane and Margaret Crawford Gignilliat; a surrogate daughter, Sarah Louise Carr Savage; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members, including one of whom she counted on as a son, Shawn Flowers, after the passing of her husband.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 3 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Pastor P.J. Flores officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Burial will be held privately in the Odum City Cemetery at a later date.
(Anyone wishing to honor Mary’s memory with a lasting tribute by providing a forever home to one of her beloved feline companions may contact Sherena for more information.)
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
Bobbie Jean Gill
Jesup—Bobbie Jean “Jeannie” Gill of Jesup died April 30, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She resided at Hillside Terrace in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the last 10 years.
Affectionately known as “Mema” to family and friends, she was born on March 27, 1943, in Childersburg, Alabama, the eldest daughter of James Leroy Halligan and Grace (Bullard) Halligan. She was raised in Jacksonville, Florida, by Viggo and Nan Christensen until she reached her junior year in high school—that’s when she moved to Waycross. This is where she met the father of her children, Thomas P. Coleman Sr.
Throughout her life, she lived in Jacksonville, Florida; Fernandina Beach, Florida; Fleming, Jesup; and beyond—leaving a lasting impression of love and guidance wherever she went. In 1978, in the small town of Fleming, she met her soulmate, Melvin Gill. Together, they built a home rooted in acceptance and love while raising their family.
She brought unwavering love into the lives of all who knew her. She was the heart of her family and a constant source of comfort. She will be remembered for her compassionate spirit and her resilience through life’s struggles. She was a fighter until the very end—one of her most endearing qualities—and a strength reflected in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her family said.
She was preceded in death by her biological parents, James Leroy Halligan and Grace (Bullard) Halligan; the loving caregivers responsible for her upbringing, Viggo and Nan Christensen (“Nanma” and “Papa Vic”); her siblings, James “Everett” Halligan and Joanne Halligan Joyner; her treasured Aunt Mary; her invaluable sources of stability and comfort, Marvin and Ellen Gunter; her daughter-in-love, Gail Barnard Coleman; the father of her children, Thomas P. Coleman Sr.; her soulmate, Melvin Gill; and her sons, Mark Coleman and Ronald Coleman.
Survivors include her children, Thomas P. (Kristy) Coleman Jr. of Portal and Nanya Jean (Vic) Litz of Pinckney, Michigan; a daughter-in-love, Jennie Coleman of Jacksonville; eight grandchildren Leah Coleman, Jessica (Richard) Neely, Trey (Darby) Litz, Sean (Amanda) Coleman, Amanda (McKinnley) Harvey, Casey Coleman, Carrie Coleman and Austin Coleman; great-grandchildren, Bryson, Anora, Hayden, LeighAnn, Wyatt, Brody, Cole, Brayden, Taylor and Harper Gail; siblings, Connie (Phil) Fletcher, Ronnie (Lucy) Bullard and Larry (Ranee) Bullard; a special niece, Susan Gunter Washburn; and many nieces, nephews, other extended-family members and dear friends.
Though she is no longer with us, her love will continue to guide and comfort all who knew her, her family said.
A graveside service, officiated by Larry Bullard, will be held at Mt. Olivet Church Cemetery (667 Mt. Olivet Church Road, Fleming, GA 31309) on June 6 at 2 p.m.
There will also be a special memorial service held at Hillside Terrace Senior Living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is where she spent the last years of her life and the family would love for those who knew and loved her to gather on May 18 at 2 p.m. in the chapel. This service will be officiated by Pastor Larry of St. Andrews United Church of Christ. There will be a social following with her favorite coconut cream pie—graciously donated by her favorite restaurant Holidays.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association—Greater Michigan Chapter at (248) 351-0280.
Cremation services were entrusted to Generation Funeral and Cremation Services of Farmington Hills, Michigan. The graveside service will be handled by Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home of Hinesville.