• Rinehart & Sons
Jesup—Thomas William Causey III, 77, died on May 22, 2025, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by family and under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
He was a lifelong member of Jesup First United Methodist Church, where his grandfather baptized him as an infant. He served various roles, including teaching the Joy Sunday School Class.
He was born at Ritch Hospital in Jesup and lived there his entire life, leaving only for college.
He married the love of his life, Annice Ivey Causey, 57 years ago on New Year's Eve of 1967. They raised their two children in Jesup and enjoyed their four grandchildren together.
He was a pharmacist for 55 years and worked with several local pharmacies until his retirement in September 2024. His customers affectionately referred to him as Dr. Causey. He loved his job and had what he called his own “ministry” by helping those who couldn’t afford their medicine with special discounts from his own pocket.
His father, Thomas W. Causey II, and his mother, Mildred Cheshire Causey, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Annice Ivey Causey; a son, Thomas William (Misty) Causey IV; a daughter, Jenifer “Jeni” Causey (Trey) Dixon; a sister, Carol Causey Maxwell; a brother, George Charles Causey; and four grandchildren, Isabella and Hannah Grace Causey, Brady Thomas, and Harper Ansley Dixon.
Celebration-of-life services were held May 24, at Jesup First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Keith Ivey officiating.
Memorials may be made to Jesup First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546 or Tabitha’s Place, 247 S. 2nd Street, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Harry Eugene Thompson
Screven—Harry Eugene Thompson, 83, of Screven died May 25, 2025.
The Ware County native had lived in Wayne County most of his life and was a member of House of Worship and Ministries, where he served as a trustee and an elder. He was a 1960 graduate of Jesup High School and a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in landscape architecture. He was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.
He was known for his contribution to the city of Jesup for his design on the beginning phase of the beautification of the downtown Jesup Development Project. He was the executive director of the Jesup Housing Authority, chairman of the Wayne County Tax Assessors Board, and was a sales representative for IBM and IOS offices.
His enjoyments included being a master artist, playing golf, being a team roper and rodeo announcer, and being a co-founder of the Willene Todd Memorial Rodeo.
He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Arlo Thompson; his in-laws, Collie and Willene Todd; a brother-in-law, Robert Todd; and his animal companions, Lizzie and Darci.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Emma Lou Todd Thompson of Screven; a daughter, Madrae (Chris) Morris of Hinesville; a son, Forrest Thompson of Jesup; a brother, Jimmy (Judy) Thompson of Jesup; a daughter-in-law, April Sawyer of Jesup; a stepmother, Ruby Thompson of Jesup; sisters-in-law, Mary Todd (his everyday caregiver), Ann Crews and Fran Newman; special nieces, Meaghan Todd and Lindsey Vogele; special nephews, Art Todd, Jeremy Thompson, Jared Thompson and Randy Smith; grandchildren, Marshall Grantham, Tyler Thurston, Wesley Thurston, Ashley Thurston, Nathan Thompson and Sarah Thompson; and nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-his-life services were held May 28 from House of Worship and Ministries with the Rev. Mickey Tomberlin and Pastor Thad Norris officiating. Interment followed in Screven City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Dr. Lance Hendrix, Dr. Robbie Pumpelly, Scott Moseley, Art Todd, Randy Smith, Marshall Grantham, Donald Dillinger, Bronc Vogele, Miquel Vail and Jack Lee. Honorary pallbearers were members of the staff of Dr. Lance Hendrix’s office, elders of the House of Worship, staff of Community Home Care and Wayne Memorial Hospital Nursing and Respiratory Services.
The family thanks all who took time to visit and spend time with him: “We thank you!”
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 3810.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Diane Jones Fennell
Screven—Diane Jones Fennell, 61, of Screven died May 25, 2025, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia and Harborview Health Center.
The Wayne County native was a former member of Screven First Baptist Church and attended Victory Tabernacle Church of God. She loved her family unconditionally and enjoyed spending time on the beach with them.
She loved a refreshing Dr. Pepper. But her most joyous title was “Nona,” and per Waylon, her grandson, “Nona makes the rules.”
She was preceded in death by her father, John David Jones; sisters, Jona McFarland and Lesia Jones Huffstetler; maternal grandparents, Wes Bennet Jr. and Agatha Bennett; and paternal grandparents, Vernon and Germaine Jones.
Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Rocky Hayward Fennell; sons, John Fennell and Jake (Blake) Fennell; a grandson, Waylon Rocky Fennell, and his mother, Kenya Fennell; her mother and stepfather, Annette (Jim) Bennett; a sister, Ginger (Jody Westberry) Collins; a father-in-law, Hayward Fennell; a mother-in-law, Irma Jean Worthington; brothers-in-law, Tony (Debra) Fennell, Jason Fennell, Jonathan (Daina) Fennell and Andy Fennell; sisters-in-law, Teresa Fennell, Debbie (Robert) Parker and Donna (Mike) Wallace; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services were held May 28 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Keith Lairsey and the Rev. Charlie “Junior” Hinson IV officiating.
Interment followed in the Wes. B. Bennett Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Lance Holland, Jordan Herrin, Travis Westberry, Zeb Evors, Zeke Evors, Parks Collins, Payton Lang and Zane Mansfield. Honorary pallbearers were members of the staffs of Harborview Health Center and Hospice of South Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545 or Victory Tabernacle Church of God, 6050 U.S. Highway 341 South, Jesup, GA 31546.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Robert E.L. Majors lll
Savannah—Robert E.L. Majors III, 76, of Savannah died May 22, 2025, at his home with his wife, Linda, at his side.
Bob, as he was known by friends and family, was born in Jesup on Oct. 25, 1948. He was the son of Robert Majors and Virginia Majors, who predeceased him. He was a graduate of Georgia Southern University and served five years in the U.S. Air Force, obtaining the rank of captain, and was honorably discharged in 1979. He then worked with several corporations, culminating in his last position with Gulfstream Aerospace, headquartered in Savannah.
He also enjoyed golfing with his brother and sisters. He was a fan of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, along with the Atlanta Braves and Falcons. He was also a NASCAR enthusiast.
He married Linda Pate on Sept. 19, 1970. They have two daughters, Leigh Anne (Joseph) Rogers of Guyton and Stephanie Lynne Majors of Savannah. They have eight grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. He is also survived by a brother, Dill Harper, of Ponte Vedra, Florida; and two sisters, Cappie (Odette) Harper and Cynthia Harper Flanders, both of Black Mountain North Carolina.
A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday, May 31, at 11 a.m. in the Jesup City Cemetery.
After the service, a reception will be held at Damon’s Famous Fingers & Wings restaurant located at 334 W. Cherry St.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Rodney Travis Poppell
Jesup—Rodney Travis Poppell, 58, died May 24, 2025, at home under the care of GHC Hospice.
A resident of Jesup for nearly 40 years and former resident of Sumter, South Carolina, he was born on June 2, 1966, in Hinesville to the late, Tom and Marcella Ryals Poppell.
He worked construction and did body work most of his life and was an avid football and baseball fan. In his spare time, he enjoyed building birdhouses and “chasing women.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Poppell; and his sister, Sheila Howard.
Survivors include his children, Salina (Paul) Mansfield and Joshua (Tiffany) Poppell, all of Jesup; one sister, Suzanne Dubose of Sumter, South Carolina; five grandchildren, Keely, Miley and Samantha McKinzie, Joshua Poppell Jr., and Phoenix Poppell; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of other extended-family members.
Graveside funeral services were held May 26 at Poppell Family Cemetery with the Rev. Danny Stilwell officiating.
Active pallbearers were Tom Poppell, Joshua Poppell Jr., Charlie Howard and Nick Poppell.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Susie Fleming Liles Bagley
Odum—Susie Fleming Liles Bagley, 94, died peacefully on May 24, 2025, at Cotton Grove Estates under the care of Hospice of South Georgia and surrounded by her loving family.
A resident of Wayne County for most of her life, she was born on Jan. 7, 1931, in Newell to the late Patrick Henry and Nathilee Clary Liles. She graduated from Jesup High School in 1948 and continued her education at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where she was recipient of an associate’s degree. She again continued her pursuit of higher learning at Georgia State College in Milledgeville, where she received a bachelor’s degree.
Throughout her teaching career, she taught home economics and mathematics at Piney Grove School, Odum Elementary, T.G. Rich Elementary, Wayne County Junior High and Wayne County High School. She had a love for her students that was second to none.
She practiced the principles of her faith at all times and was “one of the most honest and faithful servants of the Lord that has ever lived,” her family said. Over the years, she was a member of Piney Grove Methodist; Epworth United Methodist Church, where she served as treasurer for many years; and most recently, Odum Methodist Church.
In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, working in her garden and working in the family blueberry business. She was loving and thrifty in nature, and her faith in God was second to none, according to her family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Roy Bagley; a sister, Mattie Davis; and a brother, Patrick Henry Liles Jr.
Survivors include her two sons, Jim (Barbara) Bagley of Waycross and Dave Bagley of Odum; grandchildren, Jonathan (Jennifer) Bagley of Athens, Will Bagley of Jesup, Jacob (Heather) Bagley of Greer, South Carolina, and Eden (The Rev. Justin) Ellis of Odum; and great-grandchildren, Jesse, Haven and Zada; a former daughter-in-love and caretaker, Lisa Bagley of Odum; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held May 27 at Odum Methodist Church with the Rev. Justin Ellis and the Rev. Dean Slusser officiating.
Interment followed in Piney Grove Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jonathan Bagley, Will Bagley, Jacob Bagley and Jesse Bagley.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
Mary Kate Wyatt Hobbs
Waycross—Mary Kate Wyatt Hobbs, 92, of Waycross died May 17, 2025, at her home following a long illness.
She was a native of Paulding County, and the only child of Lillie Baxter Wyatt and Leon Walker Wyatt.
She graduated from West Fulton High School in Atlanta in 1949 and attended secretarial college in Waycross after moving to the city with her parents in the late 1940s. She married Hubert A. (Buck) Hobbs Jr., on Aug. 12, 1950. They celebrated their 72nd anniversary in 2022.
She was a former member of Hebardville Baptist Church and a current member of Jamestown Baptist Church. Many years ago she was employed as a secretary and bookkeeper.
She was predeceased by her husband, Buck, who passed in 2022, and a grandson, Nick Clark, who passed in 2012.
Survivors include five children, Deborah (Les) Clark of Alamo, Hugh (Bobbie) Hobbs of Brunswick, Judy Meeks of Statesboro, Mark Hobbs of Waycross, and Holly (Randy) Thompson of Jesup; 11 grandchildren, Erin (Lane) Rivenbark of Athens, Josh (Stephanie) Clark of Kingsland, Kelly Clark of Kingsland, Heather (Charlie) Gruver of Tifton, Chris (Dedra) Kearson of Twin City, Ashley Meeks of Millen, Shannon Meeks of Statesboro, Jessica (Kevin) Lee of Waycross, Jordan Thompson of Jesup, and Hunter (Chelsea) Thompson of Ocala, Florida; 13 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and cousins Tony (Pat) Pace of Dallas and Rex (Venita) Pace of Rockmart.
The funeral services were held at Jamestown Baptist Church on May 20. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery in Waycross.
Sympathy may be expressed by posting to her tribute wall at www.musicfuneralhome.com.
Music Funeral Home of Waycross was in charge of arrangements.