• Rinehart & Sons
Richard Jackson
Gardi—Richard “Dick” Jackson, 84, of Gardi died May 31, 2025.
He was a loving and devoted Christian son, husband, father, father-in-law, Papa, brother, brother-in-law and uncle.
Fondly known as the “fixer of everything,” he generously shared his time, skills and talents with neighbors and friends in his beloved Gardi community. A dedicated employee of Rayonier for 45 years, he held multiple industry certifications and was admired for his quick wit, strong work ethic, problem-solving abilities, and mentorship of new employees.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves for six years.
A man of deep faith, he was a faithful member of First Baptist Church and especially loved the fellowship of the Living Hope Sunday School Class. After being ordained as a deacon at Gardi Baptist Church in the early 1960s, he was honored as a lifetime deacon at First Baptist Church in 2023.
His creativity shone through in his woodworking projects, which he delighted in completing for friends and family. He had a deep love for the outdoors, especially fishing and tending to his yard. Most of all, he cherished his family and found his greatest joy in spending time with them—especially outside, playing with his beloved grandson, “Man” Aidan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, W.L. and Queechy Jackson, and his brother, Bill Jackson.
Survivors include his devoted and loving wife, Jan Jackson of Gardi; a daughter, Melony (Greg) Jones of Gardi; a grandson, Aidan Jones of Gardi; a sister-in-law, Delrina Jackson of Gardi; a brother-in-law, Richard (Linda) Tyre of Nashville, Tennesse; several nieces and nephews, Phyllis (Jon) Smith, Tammy (Darrell) DeLoach, Jenny Tyre, Cliff (Melissa) Kinsey, Richie (Brenda) Tyre and Christie (Jeff) York; and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held June 2 at Rinehart Chapel with Dr. Creston Groover and Pastor Brooks Haddock officiating. Interment followed in Midway Cemetery in Gardi. Active pallbearers were Darrell DeLoach, Jon Smith, Larry Ray, Gary Ray, Donnie Ray and Dylan Smith. Honorary pallbearers were current and former members of the Living Hope Sunday School Class and staff of Georgia Hospice Care.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Community Chapel
Lucille Brock-Thomas
Jesup—Lucille Brock-Thomas, 81, died May 28, 2025, at her home n Brunswick.
She was born March 26, 1944, in Screven to the late L.C. “Sonny” Brock and Mary Sheffield Brock Samples.
She was educated at the Wayne County Training School and continued her studies at Savannah State College (Savannah State University), where she graduated with a degree in chemistry.
She went on to pursue and complete her master’s degree in education at Armstrong State College in Savannah. While in college, she led the band as the head drum majorette at Savannah State.
She was a proud member of the Dynamic Delta Nu Chapter and the Brunswick Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
After college, she married Andrew Gene Thomas Sr., who preceded her in death. She resided in Screven for most of her life, where she and her husband raised their three children: Andrew Jr., Clarella and Kevin Thomas.
She was a faithful member of First African Missionary Baptist Church, where she served more than 30 years as the church clerk, Sunday School teacher and president of the Women’s Home Mission. Other ministries included her work as a missionary with countless hours of visits to nursing homes and jails.
She taught for more than 20 years in the Women’s Department of the Great Eastern Missionary Baptist Union Meeting and served as dean of the Sunday School Baptist Training Union Congress of Christian Education.
She also served as president of the 11th District of the Georgia Missionary Baptist Convention and a counselor at Camp John Hope. Upon her relocation from Screven to Brunswick, she joined Zion Baptist Church in Brunswick under the leadership of pastor Craig Campbell.
Throughout her career of more than 30 years, she served as an educator in Camilla, Blackshear and Wayne County. Her enthusiasm for mathematics and science was matched only by her dedication to her students and her genuine love of teaching, her family said.
In the classroom, “Ms. Thomas” was considered hard but fair, and her students came to appreciate her dedication to their learning. She ensured that each student who completed her class had some understanding of the material she taught.
Every student could both spell and know a true definition of S-C-I-E-N-C-E.
The community of Screven held many fond memories for her, so she found ways as an elected official to give back. She served on the Screven City Counci and was instrumental in obtaining a grant that allowed the city to create the Martha F. Fisher Greenway Park.
Her passions for science, education and service came together in her vision to have the plants properly labeled throughout the park’s walkway. The common and scientific names, classes and families of those plants and trees are still there today for the community to enjoy.
She spent countless hours after school helping students; her Christian ministry expanded from the classroom into the community.
She served on several boards (local and state) and was a member of organizations such as the NAACP, Family Connection, Wayne County Retired Educators—for which she served as the president from 2007 through 2008—and Habitat for Humanity. She had a vision that originated from helping her siblings take care of their mother.
She founded a non-profit organization in honor of her mother and to help others who are caregivers to find support. CRSS, Caregivers Resource & Support System, was a part of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers.
Thomas was recognized twice by the late former first lady Rosalyn Carter in Americus for her outstanding work through CRSS.
Caregivers Resource & Support System focused on service and support for elderly, disabled, homebound, indigent and dislocated workers. She helped train volunteers, coordinated with other agencies, and assisted with prescription drug services and locating medical services for those in need. She helped to boost morale for the caregiver and care-receiver. Her organization was financed through state and private grants.
She was preceded in death by both parents, LC “Sonny” and Mary Sheffield Brock; her sisters, Linda LaNell Carrasquillo and Mary Brock-McCallum; and a brother, Robert Finley Brock.
Survivors include her loving children, Andrew Gene Jr. of Knoxville, Tennessee, Clarella “Meshia” of Savannah, Kevin LaRoyce Sr. (Jennifer) of Brunswick; grandchildren, Andrew Gene Thomas III, Anthony Lamar Thomas, Taylor Marie Thomas, Montenise Jackson, Kelasia LaRice Thomas, Kevin LaRoyce Thomas Jr., Jaquan Edward Calhoun, Kiara Nickol Calhoun, Jaysean Anthony Calhoun and Javeon Cordell Calhoun; four sisters, Ida F. Thomas of Screven, Georgia A. Doomes of Jesup, Beulah M. Williams of Rockville, Maryland, and Barbara A. Curry of Jesup; brothers-in-law, Willie (Gladys) Thomas of Savannah and Jimmy “Bo” Ports (Corine) of Gulfport, Mississippi; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; her special goddaughters, Sandra Mitchell Mack and Chanell Thomas-Bryant; and godsons, Ronald Pittman and Tarronza Cobbs.
A public viewing will be held Friday, June 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Community Chapel Funeral Home.
Celebration-of-Life services will be held June 7 at 3:30 p.m. at Coastal Pines Technical College.
Community Chapel in in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Lonnie Lee Beasley Jr.
Jesup—Lonnie Lee Beasley Jr., 72, died June 2, 2025, at Southeast Georgia Health Systems Brunswick Campus after a short illness.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born Sept. 9, 1952 in Jesup to the late, Guyton Beasley and A. Lucille Driggers Beasley. He graduated from Wayne County High School in 1972 and worked as a brick mason for more than 51 years, becoming a master at his trade. He was a devout man of faith and a strong worshiper of God, having been a member of Covenant Church and a former member of Victory Tabernacle Church of God for more than 29 years.
In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, eating, working on his old cars and spending time with his beloved family. He was loving, loyal and funny, and he loved traveling, especially going on cruises. He was always his real and authentic self. He loved people and was always willing to lend a helping hand to a friend in need.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Bobby and Alan Beasley, and his mother and father-in-law, Clevie and Jannell Dover.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Dover Beasley of Jesup; four children, Lonnie (Sandy) Beasley III, Debbie (Jamie) Adams, Ashley (Justin) O’Quinn and Guyvie (Ciera) Beasley all of Jesup; five sisters, Earlene Clark, Kathy Beasley, Avalene Cooper, Colleen (Troy) Oder and Darlene Beasley all of Jesup; one brother, Christopher (Nicole) Boatright of Waycross; grandchildren, Dayton Beasley, Haley Beasley, Walter Revels, Heath O’Quinn, Harper Kate O’Quinn and Johnsie Beasley; one great-grandchild, Kynzlee Beasley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Victory Tabernacle Church of God with pastors Charlie Hinson, Guyvie Beasley, Matt Denison and Keith Lairsey officiating.
Interment will follow in Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Dayton Beasley, Walter Revels, Auburn Rigdon, Charlie Hinson IV, Cody Powell and Jacob Denison.
Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Covenant Church and grandsons. Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.