• Howard & Jones
Juanita Starling Moore
Jesup—Juanita Starling Moore, 95, died peacefully on June 13, 2025, at Hospice of South Georgia surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness.
A resident of Jesup for more than 60 years and former resident of Coffee County, she was born on April 23, 1930, to the late Aaron and Wealtha Flanders Starling. She worked as an administrative assistant in the human resources department at Wayne Memorial Hospital for 23 years.
She was a longtime member of Epworth United Methodist Church and was also a founding member of the Ruby Riggins Camellia Garden Club. In her spare time, she enjoyed square dancing, shopping and traveling.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marion “Tony” Moore Sr.; a son, Ray Starling Moore; a grandson, Michael Andrew Moore; and three brothers and one sister.
Survivors include her three sons, Marion Moore Jr. of Americus, Timmy (Mary Lynn) Moore Sr. of Brunswick and Gary (Cindy) Moore Sr.; one daughter, Cindy Moore (Doug) Ward of Douglas; grandchildren, Ray (Roni) Moore, Gary Moore Jr. and his fiancée, Krista Norvell, Jenny Moore, Timmy Moore Jr., Mary Beth (Matt) Hellman, Matthew (Ally) Miller, Sarah Ward, Griffin Ward and Kelly Kessler; great-grandchildren, Jalyn Martin, Cole Moore, River Moore, Ava Kessler, Waylon Miller, Baker Hellman and Barrett Hellman; a daughter-in-law, Jamey (Gary) Tyre; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Graveside funeral services were held June 16 at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Garth Duke-Barton and the Rev. Jack Lee officiating.
Family members served as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Rinehart & Sons
Deborah “Debbie” Gross Purcell
Jesup—Deborah “Debbie” Gross Purcell, 68, died June 15, 2025, under the compassionate care of Hospice of South Georgia, surrounded by her loving family.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many.
On June 26, 1976, she married the love of her life, Ricky Purcell. Together, they built a beautiful life and were blessed with two daughters, April and Jennifer. A dedicated and selfless wife and mother, she always prioritized the needs of her family above her own, her family said.
In addition to her role at home, she was co-owner of Purcell’s Service Center and Towing for more than 40 years. While her husband managed the mechanical side of the business, she ran the office with care and efficiency. For her, it was more than a job—it was an opportunity to turn customers into friends and friends into family. She “never met a stranger,” and her greatest joy came from serving and uplifting others.
She found her deepest happiness in her role as “Nana.” She cherished her six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and as soon as they were old enough, she began a cherished tradition of taking them camping in the mountains every summer. Always ready for an adventure, she found joy in every trip, especially if it involved shopping and treating her loved ones. She had a particular fondness for discovering new Vera Bradley patterns—with coffee in hand—and made every outing an occasion to remember.
A devoted supporter of her husband, she could often be found at the racetrack, cheering him on from the stands. Though she was known to offer a few firm words over the years, she remained his most loyal and enthusiastic fan.
In her quiet moments, she enjoyed crocheting, cross-stitching, reading and spending time in prayer. Her life was marked by unwavering faith, quiet strength, and a deep love for those around her. She lived with grace, humility and compassion, and her presence was a blessing to all who knew her. Her legacy is one of love, faith and selfless devotion—a life well-lived and dearly missed, her family said.
She was a member of Altamaha Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her father, Bobby Gross; her biological mother, Joann Millien; a grandson, Brennan Clark; a sister, Tracy Gross Efre: a brother, Jerry Steele; and her father-in-law, Gene Purcell.
Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Ricky Purcell; her mother, Joyce Gross; her mother-in-law, Kathleen Purcell; her two daughters, April Purcell and Jennifer (Brent) Clark; granddaughters, Katlyn (Codi) Johnson, Logan (Nathan) Clark, Kyleigh Purcell; grandsons, Caleb (Golianna) Watson and Braiden Clark; great-grandchildren, Blakley Johnson, Jameson Johnson and Rowan Johnson; one great-grandson on the way, Sebastian Lemmen; a brother, Brian (Erin)Gross; brother-in-law, Ronnie Purcell; abeloved fur baby, Chase; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held June 17 from Altamaha Baptist Church with the Rev. Devin Mixon and chaplain Tom Ratliff officiating. Interment followed in Altamaha Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Caleb Watson, Braiden Clark, Codi Johnson, Nathan Lemmen, Patrick Gross and Ridge Purcell. Honorary pallbearers were the staff of Hospice of South Georgia and loving caregiver, Donna Pye, who provided many hours of compassionate love and care.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Cleo Hadden
Ludowici—Cleo Hadden, 97, of Ludowici died June 16, 2025, under the care of Georgia Hospice Care.
The Candler native had lived most of his life in Long County and was a retired employee with McKenzie Trucking Company. He attended Parkway Church of God and was known for his sweet helping spirit and a smile on his face when greeting anyone. His enjoyment was playing several instruments for his church and in his early life playing with a band. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Korean conflict. He earned the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars, a combat infantry badge, a United Nations Service Medal and an Army of Occupation Medal (Japan).
He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Hadden; his parents, Edd D. Hadden and Mamie Stela Hadden; siblings, Janie Riggs, Willie Edna Hadden, Etha Hadden, Laura Bell Hadden, Lester James Hadden and Evie Clyde (Hadden) Martin.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Erma Hughes Hadden of Ludowici; a son, Glenn (Cynthia) Hadden of Ludowici; a daughter, Susan (Mark) Connor of Augusta; a grandson and caregiver, Jacob Hadden of Ludowici; granddaughters, Cassandra C. Langston of Japan and Victoria Simmons of Ludowici; two great-granddaughters, Aryanna and Ophelia; a special niece, Janean Coe; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; a great-great-grandniece, a great-great-grandnephew and a great-great-great-grandniece.
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 21, at 11 a.m. from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Angie McLaughlin and Pastor Thomas Maddux officiating. Interment will follow in Middleton Memorial Cemetery in Ludowici with military honors. Active pallbearers will be his family, Jacob Hadden, Benjamin and Stephen McLaughlin, Steve Moreno and Trent Simmons.
Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to services at the chapel.
The family expresses its heartfelt thanks to the staff of Georgia Hospice Care for its exceptional service and care.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
The Rev. Dr. Wilson Felix Haynes Jr.
St. Simons—The Rev. Dr. Wilson Felix Haynes Jr., 81, died June 13, 2025, at Hospice of the Golden Isles following an extended illness.
Born in Waycross, he was the son of the late W.F. Haynes Sr. and Georgia Lee Haynes. A graduate of Waycross High School in 1962 and Mercer University in 1966, he followed his life’s calling and entered Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, for a master’s of divinity degree while pastoring Port Royal Baptist Church in Port Royal, Kentucky. He also pastored churches in Waycross, Ohoopee, Jesup, Hilton Head Island, (South Carolina), and Brunswick while serving in multiple capacities and terms as pastor of First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island. During these years, he earned his doctorate degree of ministerial studies from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Along with the love of his life—his late wife Miriam Jones Haynes—he was a collector of rare books and antiques, a teller of stories, and a nurturer of souls. He also had a heart for dogs and frequented the dog park with his beloved Kona, where he connected with kindred spirits and shared the love of companion pets with many dear friends. Together, he and Miriam created a lasting legacy that will live on throughout future generations.
Survivors include a daughter, Kimberly (Briar) Johnson of Williamson; a son, Kenneth (Jennifer) Haynes of St. Simons Island; three grandchildren, Mallory Meyer of Henderson, Nevada, Marshall (Selena) Meyer of Ridgeland, South Carolina, and Ansley Meyer of Owensboro, Kentucky; seven great-grandchildren, Aidan Tyler Harris, Sawyer Haynes Meyer, Saylor Reese Meyer, River Dawson Meyer, Beckham Cash Meyer, Magnolia Mae Meyer and Silas Haynes Neal; a sister, Ann (Tom) Downing of Atlanta; a brother, Greg (Nora) Haynes of St. Simons Island; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive visitors at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick on Friday, June 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 21, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island. A private burial will follow at Christ Church Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers and medical professionals who helped guide him through his lengthy illness, with a special note of appreciation for the staff of Hospice of the Golden Isles.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home of Brunswick is in charge of arrangements.