• Rinehart & Sons
Roman Stanley Guzik
The Villages, Florida—Roman Stanley Guzik, 83, of The Villages, Florida, died May 19, 2026.
The Illinois native had lived in several cities and countries, including Hinesville; Ankara, Turkey; and Fayetteville, North Carolina, before retiring to The Villages in Florida. He attended Catholic school and kept that faith. The 20-year Army veteran enlisted and served in Paris before becoming an officer in the Vietnam War. His profession of accounting served him well in life. Numbers and puzzles and mind games were a favorite pastime, as well as reading, especially current events and Stephen King books.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Mildred Guzik; his twin brother, Russell; brothers-in-love, Johnny Nix and Pete Eason Sr.; and a nephew, Virlyn “Bubba” Nix.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Nix Guzik of The Villages; two sons, Brian (Elenia) Guzik and Pat (Betsy) Guzik; sisters, Linda (Dave) James, Sue (Mike) Mikrut and Nancy Frugoli; brothers, Bob (Linda) Guzik, Rich (Gayle) Guzik, Tom (Catrine) Guzik and David (Maria) Guzik; sisters-in-love, Edna Nix Arnold and Juanita Eason; grandchildren, Ryan, Suzannah, Finn, and Cece; and nieces and nephews, Sharon (Mike) Lassiter, Mary (Steve) Mason, Earl Dean “Pete” Eason, Jr. (Michelle) and Vic Eason.
Graveside funeral services were held May 22 in Jesup City Cemetery with the Rev. Mark Ledbetter officiating and military honors.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Juanita Nix Eason
Jesup—Juanita Nix Eason, 82, of Jesup died on May 22, 2026, under the care of Georgia Hospice Care.
The Bibb County native had lived in Wayne County most of her adult life and was a Christian. Her family was the center of her life with her sons and her grandchildren. She devoted her time caring and cooking for them.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Dean “Pete” Eason Sr.; her parents, Johnny and Sara Nix; a brother, Johnny Nix; a brother-in-law, Roman Guzik; a nephew and niece, Virlyn and Lamanda Nix; and a daughter-in-law, Pauline Bumann Eason.
Survivors include two sons, Earl Dean “Pete” (Michelle) Eason Jr. of Waycross and Vic Eason of Jesup; several grandchildren, Ashley (Keith) Slaton and their children, Liam, Jase and Harper, Ryan Eason and his children, Luke and Alyssa, Wesley (Kimberly) Eason, Madison (Brandon) Byler and Callie Eason; a sister, Linda Nix Guzik of The Villages; a sister-in-law, Edna Nix Arnold of Perry; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held May 23 in Jesup City Cemetery with the Rev. Ryan Wilson officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The Rev. Jack Lee
Jesup—The Rev. Jack Lee, 68, of Jesup died on May 23, 2026, from the Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient.
He loved Jesus, his personal Savior, his family, church and people. The Wayne County native was a member of Altamaha Baptist Church, where he pastored for more than 20 years. He was called to preach in 1982 on Super Bowl Sunday and first pastored Memorial Baptist Church for more than 17 years, where he was a part of building the new sanctuary, educational hall and new social hall. He served in the Altamaha Baptist Association, now Coastal Rivers Association as moderator, chairman of the executive committee member, nominating committee member, associational missions director search team, mission team member to start Trinity Baptist Church, building chairman for Trinity Baptist Church and supervisor in construction of the New Associational Office in Ludowici. He also served on the Georgia Baptist Mission Board executive committee, historical commission and budget committee and as chairman of the budget committee, fourth vice president and administration committee member.
Locally, he served in his community as the Fair Haven Board initial member and chairman. He also was the chairman of the Wayne County Christian Ministerial Association.
In other states and countries, he wanted to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through missions in Alaska; Rochester, New York; Mexico; Haiti; Puerto Rico; Bahamas; the Dominican Republic; and Honduras.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanton and Annabelle Pippin Lee; his sister, Sharon Tootle; brothers, Stanton Lee Jr. and Jerry Nichols; sister-in-law, Geneva Nichols; a father-in-law, Luther Graham; and a mother-in-law, Betty Graham.
Survivors include the love of his life who he always said was his most wonderful wife, Lynn Graham Lee of Jesup; his beautiful daughters, Jessica (Jeremy) Bowen and Danielle (Brett) Hall; his most precious grandchildren, Brody and Isla Bowen, Presley, Gini Lynn, Etta and Annistyn Hall; his twin brother, Joe (Linda) Lee; a brother, Mike Nichols; a sister, Lisa Palmer; nieces and nephews, Nick (Emma) Nichols and Danny (Pam) Nichols, Mary Jo Bentley, Alan (Kim) Hayes, Matt (Amanda) Lee, Tina Hayes, Marilyn (Brian) Kohler, Amy (Greg) Skiff and Jason Knight; a sister-in-law, Ann (Mario) Anastasia and family; and a brother-in-law, Jimmy (Christy) Graham and family.
Funeral services were held May 27 at Altamaha Baptist Church with pastor Vann Dempsey officiating. Interment followed in the Jesup City Cemetery with the Rev. Denny Waters, the Rev. Brad Waters and the Rev. Randy Pruitt. Active pallbearers were Stetson Bennett III, Joe Lee Mark Lewallen, Danny Nichols, Jimmy Graham and Tommy Smith. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Lance Hendrix and his staff, Dr. Jha and his staff, Ray Moore, Max Bookhart, Wayne Aldridge and the rest of the Altamaha Baptist Church deacons, fellow pastors of the Coastal Rivers Association, local pastor friends, the convention pastors, Joey Miller, Gary Tyre, Shon Cunningham and Alan Hayes.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Altamaha Baptist Church’s “Forward in Faith” Building Fund or ABC Missions, 6622 Oglethorpe Rd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Christopher James Teston
Odum—Christopher James Teston, 45, of Odum died on May 23, 2026.
The Wayne County native was a member of Ritch Missionary Baptist Church and owner and operator of East Coast Pools. He enjoyed Jeep rides with his dog; working out in his yards, especially his koi pond; fishing; hunting; caring for his “critters” but mostly spending time with his family. He had a huge, charitable heart and lived life in a huge way, his family said.
His grandparents, Ann O’Quinn and Ernest and Faye Teston, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his fiercely loved wife, Miranda Teston of Odum; children, Hunter Teston, Sabrina (fiancé Dawson Daniels) Teston, and Elijah and Jacob Adams; parents, Ernest James “Jimmy” (Tina) Teston and Jessie Kay (Gary) Duncan Sr.; siblings, Gary (Jennifer) Duncan Jr., Storm Teston and Skylar (Sergio) Tlacuatl; and several other relatives.
A celebration-of-life service was held May 26 at Ritch Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Bryan Gill officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Betty Jo “B.J.” Denison
Jesup—Betty Jo “B.J.” Denison, 65, of Jesup died May 23, 2026.
The North Carolina native had lived all of her life in Wayne County and was a Baptist. The homemaker enjoyed rearing her son, watching Westerns and listening to music.
She adored her mother, Betty Morris, who is preceded her in death along with Betty’s husband, E.G. Morris; her father, James Frye; brothers, Jimmy, Paul and Joe Frye; a sister, Paula Floyd; and sister-in-law, Linda Frye.
Survivors include her son, Chris (Haley) Denison of Jesup; three grandchildren, Layla, Molly and Carter Denison; two brothers, Wayne (Patsy) Frye of Benbrook, Texas and David Frye of Screven; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. in George Cemetery with the Rev. Justin Drawdy officiating.
The family will receive friends at the cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Krislen Jordan Burnsed
Jesup—Krislen Jordan Burnsed, 34, died May 20, 2026, at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, with her loving husband by her side.
A lifelong resident of Wayne County, she was born on Oct. 29, 1991, in Jesup. She found joy in life’s simple moments. She loved playing coloring games on her tablet, keeping up with social media, and spending time at home with her beloved fur babies. One of her favorite things was riding dirt roads with her husband, visiting with family from out of town, and stopping to see loved ones around town. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family. Whether sharing laughs, making memories, or simply calling her mom “just to talk about nothing,” those moments meant the world to her. She was also a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
She was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Wells; grandparents, Evonne and Ed Blackson; and a sister, Courtney Wells. Survivors include her loving husband of 13 years, Chad Burnsed; mom and dad, Lora and Billy Barber; her stepmom, Deb Wells; brothers, Matthew (Shakira) Wells, Dyllan (Alsysia) Wells and Levi (Gracie) Wells; grandparents, Melvin and Judy Waddell; an aunt and uncle, Russell and Shelley Waddell; nieces and nephews, Kenzie Boyce, Daylyn Reuther, Calyann Reuther, Saya Wells, Layla Baker, Walker Wells, Evonne Wells, Riley Fletcher, Lawton, Able, Sylvie and Liam; great-niece, Brynnleigh; cousins, Jareb Logan, Janah Waddell and Emmalee Daville; her beloved fur babies, JD, Princess, and Precious; and many other loving family members and dear friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 30, at 3 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Chris Roberson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Interment will be private.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Daniel Vangura
Jesup—Daniel “Dan” Vangura, 64, died May 20, 2026, at his home in Jesup.
He was born on Aug. 3, 1961, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to the late Albert John Vangura and Diane Marie Paskert Vangura. He spent his early years in Clairton, Pennsylvania, where he worked in the family business, Vangura Tool, for many years after high school graduation. He was a skilled machinist and was highly devoted to his work. His attention to detail was unmatched as was his work ethic.
In November of 1996, he and his family relocated to Holtwood, Pennsylvania, where he continued his career as a machinist until his retirement and relocation to Jesup several years ago. Although he devoted most of his time to his trade, he also made time to take part in activities that he enjoyed including playing Ping Pong, fishing, cycling, archery, listening to jazz music, and playing guitar for church ministry and prayer meetings.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Molly Devon Rodeffer Vangura of Jesup; three sons, Joel (Emily) Vangura of Jesup, Jacob (Meghan) Vangura of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Ben Vangura of Jesup; three grandsons; a sister; and two brothers.
A memorial services will be held Friday, May 29, at 3 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
Carol Jean Corbitt
Waycross—Carol Jean Corbitt died May 21, 2026, at her residence in Waycross.
She was born Oct. 22, 1937, to the late David Berneche Sr. and Florence Warthon McCarty in St. Paul, Minnesota. She worked as a certified nursing assistant at Baptist Village Retirement Communities. She loved spending time with all of her family and playing bingo.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three of her children, Ann Berneche, Craig Berneche and Brian Corbitt.
Survivors include her significant other, Johnny McBee of Waycross; three sons, Scott (Faye) Berneche of Jesup, Darren Corbitt of Waycross and William (Kim) Corbitt of Askov, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; a brother, John Beneche Sr. of St. Paul, Minnesota; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held May 26 at Music Funeral Home. Burial followed at Kettle Creek Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com.
Music Funeral Home of Waycross is in charge of the arrangements.