• Rinehart & Sons
Irene Poppell Kirkland
Jesup—Irene Poppell Kirkland, 87, of Jesup died June 18, 2026.
The Wayne County native was a member of Jesup Church of God and a 1956 graduate of Odum High School. She enjoyed home making, visiting with friends, gardening and bird watching.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Clarence Kirkland; her parents, Hyma and Thelma Page Poppell; brothers, Wayne Poppell and Ricky Poppell; and a sister, Glenda Poppell.
Survivors include three daughters, Shirley (Mike) Faulk of Jesup, Lona (Alan) Newbern of Sparks and Miracle (Michael) Daley of Swainsboro; six grandchildren, Autumn Howard, Bridgett (Marc) Woodard, Robbie Moody, Faith (Walker) Franklin, and Caden and Addison Daley; six great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara (Richard) Bennett of Jesup, Betty (Don Bitter) Cason of Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Carol (James) Brown, Judy (William) Rozier and Sandra (Steve) Dickens, all of Jesup; brothers, Dennis (Martha) Poppell, Jerry (Shirley) Poppell, and Genell (Tanya) Poppell, all of Odum; sisters-in-law, Cathy Poppell of Jesup and Joni Poppell of Guyton; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held June 19 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Dale Bange officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her nephews. Honorary pallbearers were nieces, nephews, Kevin Moody and Wayne Priester.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Clora Walker Moseley
Jesup—Clora Walker Moseley, 82, of Jesup died on June 21, 2026.
She was a Pentecostal Christian and a beloved wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed her homemaking years. Sewing, gardening and flower growing brought joy to her life.
She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence J. “Bill” Moseley; two grandsons, A.J. Reddish and J.J. Rowell; her parents, the Rev. Curd Walker and Lula Bell Johnson Walker; and a son-in-law, Jeremy Rowell.
Survivors include five daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Alex Reddish, Billie Jo and Buddy Starling, Georgia Rowell, and Kimberly and Ronnie Poppell, all of Jesup; two sons and daughters-in-law, Lawrence (Vanessa) Moseley of Jesup and Chuck ( Jennifer) Moseley of Screven; three sisters, Polly Byers of Canton, Nina Poole of Soperton and Sue Ellen Messer of Jesup; brothers, Bona Walker of Callahan, Florida, Curd Walker Jr. of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Clarence Walker of Soperton; grandchildren, Amanda (Dustin) Horne, Little Bill (Lauren) Moseley, Morgan Moseley, Hannah Moseley, Jarrett (Trinity) Moseley, Lance Reddish, Walker (Elsie) Reddish, Autumn Starling, Gant Starling, Maggie (Chase) Bryant and Miles (Ellie) Starling, Lauren (Jake) Grady, and Luke Rowell, and Clora Jane and Landry Poppell; great-grandchildren, Anna Kate and Cannon Horne, Vanna Moseley, Gracelynn Odom and Janson Moseley; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services were held June 24 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Joe Manning officiating. Interment was in the Flint Branch Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Hilda Fennel Van Meter
Jesup—Hilda Fennel Van Meter, 86, died at her residence on June 22, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Wayne County on Dec. 19, 1939, to the late Zeke and Ella Fennel and was a longtime resident of Wayne County. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was a faithful member of Grace Assembly of God.
She was devoted to her family and was a loving mother who cherished her children and would do anything for those she loved. She was also a doting great-grandmother who took great joy in following her great-grandchildren’s lives and attending their extracurricular activities, always cheering them on and celebrating their accomplishments. She enjoyed an active social life, looking forward to Sunday lunches with her brother and sister, as well as brunch gatherings with her fellow Kmart associate friends.
She took great pride in her home and enjoyed decorating it to make it warm and welcoming. She was a devoted baseball fan and an enthusiastic supporter of the Atlanta Braves. She also loved flowers, birds and shopping.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Charles A. “Chuck” Van Meter; a son, Milton Ray Van Meter; brothers, Joe, Herman, Delmer, and Theron; sisters, Eunice, Ovaleen, Monteen and Vonnie; and half-sisters, Gladys and Jewel.
She leaves behind two daughters and sons-in-law, Sherry Ann and Winston Sharpe of Jesup and Rebecca Lynn and Dale Shoener of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Casey Leggett, Jodi (Brian) Denison, Jason Moseley, Levi (Dannie) Welling and Taylor Laird; great-grandchildren, Trace (Chrislyn) Denison, Huxley Denison, Haven Denison, Sadie Grace Denison, Melissa Rae Laird, Tess Leggett, Eli Leggett, Rae Leggett, Brik Leggett and Landon Leggett; great-great-grandchildren, Sable Denison, Sterling Denison, Olive Leggett and Chjaihsavnh Welling; a brother, Gary Fennel; a sister, Ruby Coffee; a special niece who was like a sister, Chris Mobley; and many other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held June 28 at 3 p.m. at Grace Assembly of God with the Rev. Dale Bange officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the church.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Howard
Sandra Grantham Watford Beasley
Ludowici—Sandra Grantham Watford Beasley, 81, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful servant of the Lord, died surrounded by the love of her family.
Born to Harvey and Lessie Abbott Grantham, she was the youngest daughter in a large and loving family.
She was affectionately known throughout the community as “The Tupperware Lady.” For more than 30 years, she built lasting friendships while sharing her enthusiasm and gift for connecting with others through Tupperware. Her commitment to her community extended to her service on the Long County Board of Education, where she helped support and encourage local students and educators.
A natural caregiver, she dedicated much of her life to caring for children. She lovingly cared for many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, creating memories and bonds that will be treasured for generations, her family said. In her later years, she worked at Walmart, where she served in the floral department, fabrics and crafts and as a door greeter. No matter what her role, her warm smile, kind spirit and genuine interest in others made everyone feel welcome, her family said.
Her faith was the foundation of her life. She was a devoted church member who loved the Lord and faithfully served wherever she worshiped. She spent her childhood and later years at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Jesup and raised her family while actively involved at First Baptist Church and Calvary Baptist Church in Ludowici. Her love for God was evident in her service, her kindness, and the example she set for her family, her family added.
She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her servant’s heart, her love of family, and her ability to make everyone feel like they belonged. Her life was a testimony to love, generosity and devotion, and her legacy will continue through the many lives she touched.
Her family said a favorite Bible verse was Proverbs 31:28, “Her children arise and call her blessed.”
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her, her family said. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Lee Watford Jr.; her children, Sandy Lee, Walter Thomas, Janet Marie, Robert Lee III and Lillia Elizabeth; her great-grandson, Conner; and her siblings, Sarah, Margaret, Eloise, H.N., Gene, Jimmy, David, Sherry, Barbara and Skip.
Survivors include her children, Billy (Laura), John (Sherry), Dedi (Jack) and Misty; 18 grandchildren; 39 39 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Senneth; two sisters-in-law, Ann and Kitty; a daughter-in-law, Ruby; husband, David Beasley; four stepchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held June 23 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Jesup with Tim Woodward officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Active pallbearers were Brian, Tyler, Joey, Jacob and Chris Watford, Cliff Wildes, Caleb and Lee Bailey, Hagen Harter, and Trent and Brysen Rutherford.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici was in charge of arrangements.