• Rinehart & Sons
Stephanie Horton Griffis
Odum—Stephanie Horton Griffis, 40, of Odum died on June 3, 2025, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia in their in-patient unit.
The Wayne County native was a member of Jesup Church of God, where she was a youth leader. Her career allowed her to assist Calvary Baptist Church, Jesup Tire Company and Harper Industries as a secretary. Her life revolved around her family and her church family.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Jesse and Gerana Chancellor, and her daughter, Maura Nicole Griffis.
Survivors include her loving husband of 18 years, Jeremy Griffis of Odum; two sons, Lucas Griffis and Jesse Griffis, both of Odum; her parents, Deborah (Don) Combs of Jesup and Jeffrey (Kim) Horton of Odum; two sisters, Lauren Combs and Elysse Shore; a brother, Travis Combs; paternal grandparents, Faye (LeRoy) Horton; a mother-in-law, Vickie (Drew) Davis; a father-in-law, Valdine (Becky) Griffis; and several cousins, aunts and uncles.
Funeral services were held June 6 at Jesup Church of God with pastor Scott Hatten officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Lucas and Jesse Griffis, Don Combs, Jeffrey Horton, Russell Hilton, and Cecil Chancellor. Honorary pallbearers were the Cross Culture Youth of Jesup Church of God and the Perinatology Department of Memorial Health University.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jesup Church of God Cross Culture Youth, 444 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545.
“The storm will not steal my worship”—Stephanie Horton Griffis.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Charlotte Ann Davis Murphy
Odum—Charlotte Ann Davis Murphy, 89, of Odum died peacefully on June 4, 2025.
She was born in Wayne County at the Jesup Hospital to W.W. Babe Davis and Nell Withrow Davis. She spent all her life in Odum and was a devout daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She graduated as Odum High School valedictorian for the class of 1953. She apparently inherited her parents’ athletic talents. She played on two Odum High School basketball teams that reached the state finals, and she was always an active participant in school activities. She was the treasurer of her senior class, as well as a member of the Beta Club, annual staff, newspaper staff and debate team, and she was awarded the superlative of “friendliest” by her senior class.
Upon her graduation from Odum High, she enrolled at Georgia Teachers College (Georgia Southern University), where both her mother and aunt were alumnae. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education and began teaching fifth grade in Odum. She taught home economics at Odum High School for eight years.
After that, she became the home economist for a nine-county area with the Community Action Authority out of Reidsville for a couple of years. She later attended the University of Georgia Master School for Food Nutrition. In the fall of 1967, she returned to education, teaching third grade at T.G. Ritch Elementary. It was not long before she earned her master’s degree in school nutrition from the University of Georgia and began a 30-year tenure as the Wayne County school system’s nutrition director. She was the first nutrition director in the county.
She married her childhood sweetheart, Dewey Edward Murphy Jr., in 1955, and they shared 64 years together at his passing. They were awarded the 2003 Odum Family of the Year.
She was a 58-year former member of Odum Baptist Church. She later joined Altamaha Baptist Church on her 50th wedding anniversary and was also a member of the Love Thy Neighbor Sunday School Class for more than 14 years. She was a devoted Christian whose faith guided every aspect of her life. She was always striving to serve others and reflect God’s love in all that she did.
She loved to cook. It was one of her spiritual gifts as she took great pride in cooking and sharing with others. She spent many hours in the kitchen doing what she loved. Additionally, she enjoyed spending time reading, embroidering and cross-stitch crafting, as well as decorating for seasons, celebrating holidays, and, most of all, spending time with her family.
Survivors include her daughter, Stephanie (Randy) Teston of Odum; grandchildren, Sally (Brian) McGregor of Odum and Clay (Faith) Teston of Odum; great-grandchildren, Ally Grace and Abby McGregor; a sister, Ellen Townsend of Jesup; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held June 7 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ray Hamilton officiating. Interment followed in Odum Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Clay Teston, Brian McGregor, Robert Townsend, Stan Townsend, Mark Townsend, Davis Townsend, Ford Townsend, Ray Townsend, Bo Townsend and Chase Townsend. Honorary pallbearers were Debbie Klymshyn and Margaret Spearmon, her former lunchroom staff, former Odum High School home economics and English students, and the staff of Hospice of South Georgia.
Remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31546.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lonnie Ogden Jr.
Odum—Lonnie Ogden Jr., 83, of Odum died June 5, 2025, at Hospice of South Georgia in Jesup.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born to Annie Carter Ogden and Lonnie Ogden Sr., of the Piney Grove Community.
He graduated from Jesup High School in the Class of 1959 and always looked forward to the many reunions of that class over the years. He served six years in the Army National Guard and retired from his work as a lubricator at Rayonier after 39 years. He married his wife, Mary Carter Ogden, in July 1965, making this upcoming July their 60th anniversary.
From childhood, he was an animal and nature enthusiast, as evidenced by the procession of animals he rescued, tamed, sheltered, fostered and/or adopted. His interest in homing pigeons developed into a fascinating and rewarding hobby which he enjoyed for 50-plus years. His birds were consistent winners in the many races he entered with them as a member of the Golden Isles of Georgia Pigeon Club, of which he was a founder, and the Effingham County Pigeon Club. He relished opportunities to share with individuals and community groups the history and utility of pigeons as messengers in wars and other situations requiring secrecy and stealth.
Despite his usual quiet, reserved, unassuming demeanor, he was known as a talented storyteller whose innate sense of comedy, keen observation skills and dry wit enabled him to find and express the humor in everyday situations. Usually, his tales were drawn from personal experiences at work, while fishing, in medical situations or even at church, revealing a unique ability to make the commonplace funny.
A skilled fisherman, he has been called “a white perch legend.” As his strength waned with his illness, he often expressed a longing for “one more trip” to Shade Lake, his favored fishing site. Next to catching them, he enjoyed cooking and eating them in the company of neighbors, friends and relatives while he entertained with his stories.
He was a giver. He had a heart for others and delighted in sharing whatever he had, especially his tomatoes, for which he became well-known. He tried several farming ventures but found that he liked growing tomatoes best because tomatoes grown patiently in acidic Wayne County soil had a special, unmistakable flavor like no other. He joyfully delivered them to friends and family throughout the summer.
As the only child of his father’s second marriage, he treasured his siblings from his father’s first marriage to Tempie Pye Ogden. In tribute to them, in the late 1980s he initiated a family tradition, which continued 35 years, by hosting an annual Thanksgiving reunion at his home to honor his family and bring them home to the Piney Grove community of their roots. After preparing weeks in advance, he would rise well before dawn on Thanksgiving Day to smoke a variety of meats to be shared in “dinner-on-the-grounds” fashion along with the sides provided by attendees. Over the years, owing to his and his wife’s innate hospitality, goodwill and generosity, the guest list grew to include friends, friends of friends, members of the community, the extended family, and occasionally guests from foreign countries. Those times remain sweet memories for those blessed to attend.
He was a leader in the preservation and maintenance of the historic Piney Grove Cemetery. As a founding member of the Piney Grove Cemetery Trust (an organization created with the goal of perpetual care and maintenance), he labored physically, worked at fundraising events, and, as the landowner adjacent to the cemetery, made several land donations to enlarge the site.
He was reared in Piney Grove Church of God, where he became a member as a young adult. In recent years, he moved to Odum Church of God, where he worked tirelessly beside the pastor in the Food Bank Ministry and always arrived early to church services to fulfill his self-assigned role as a greeter. Always a man of faith and strong moral convictions, he lived a simple life consistent with what his Bible taught him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Viola (Logan) Dent, Verdie (George) O’Quinn, Verma (Bill) Cribbs, Lester (Pearl) Ogden, Tom (Velma) Ogden, Pearl (Rufus) Roberson, Janell (Hilda) Ogden, Dewitt (Evelyn) Ogden and Calvert (Margie) Ogden.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Carter Ogden of Odum; a sister-in-law, Patsy Giles of Odum; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were held June 9 in the Chapel of Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Justin Moriarty officiating. A private burial will be held at Piney Grove Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Hugh Herrin, Kyle Herrin, Richard Strickland, John Schlitz, Randy Ogden and Jack Ogden. Honorary pallbearers were staff members of Hospice of South Georgia and members of the Jesup High School Class of 1959.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sadie Aspinwall Russell
Odum—Sadie Aspinwall Russell, 95, of Odum died June 9, 2025.
The Wayne County native was a member of the Odum Baptist Church and the Ladies’ Sunday School Class. She was born as the last child of 13 to Ollie and Maud Jackson Aspinwall. The 1947 graduate of Odum High School loved basketball. She was known for her sense of humor, quick wit and compassion for others.
She loved her family dearly and visited many foreign countries while her husband was serving his country in the U.S. Army. After his death, she continued to travel until her health failed.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, Colvin Aspinwall, Susie A. Jones, Joe Aspinwall, Mamie A. Morris, Beulah A. Collins, Walter “Buck” and Alvin “Jim” Aspinwall, Ruby A. Jernigan, and G.L., Frank and Harry Aspinwall.
Survivors include her son, Ray (Cindy) Russell of Odum; two granddaughters, Rachael (Michael) Gonzales of Port Wentworth and Beth (Steve) Ellis of Odum; five great-grandchildren, Rae, Chase, Caleb, Callie and Juliette; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 13, at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Pastor Kipp Manning and Linda Mosley officiating. Interment will follow in Odum City Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Ralph Sainz, Michael Gonzales, Stephen Ellis, Elton Aspinwall, Stevie Morris, Greg Jernigan, Robbie Wingate, Joe Aspinwall and Danny Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Ladies Sunday School Class.
Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Odum Baptist Church, P.O. Box 40, Odum, GA 31555.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Elaine Hodges Willis
Jesup—Elaine Hodges Willis, 67, died June 2, 2025, at Memorial Health University Medical Center after a brief battle with cancer.
A resident of Jesup for the past 45 years and former resident of Savannah, she was born on April 15, 1958, to the late, Earl and Juanita Tice Hodges. She spent her early years in Savannah, where she graduated from Herschel V. Jenkins High School.
She met and married the love of her life, the late Robert Willis, and they relocated to Jesup in 1981. She loved taking walks and being in nature. She loved to stay busy and spending time with her grandchildren. She was truly a joy to be around and was always up for anything as long as she was with the people she loved, her family said
She loved to worship Jehovah, and she always encouraged her family and friends to draw close to him. She practiced the principles of her faith by being selfless, and she would truly give anything she had to help a person in need, her family said.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Tom Hodges.
Survivors include her two sons, Rob (Kaylan) Willis of Jesup and Justin (Rachel) Willis of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; one brother, Ronnie Hodges of Statesboro; and four grandchildren Leah, Riley, Sawyer and Myles.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 14, at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2841 U.S. 301, Jesup, GA 31546.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.