Edna Walker Scott
Annapolis, Maryland—Edna Walker Scott, 74, of Annapolis, Maryland, died Jan. 9, 2021 after a brief battle with lymphoma (cancer).
She was born at Ritch-Leaphart Hospital in Jesup on Oct. 12, 1946, to the late Lembrick Gabel and Conyers Elizabeth (Parker) Walker. She was the sixth of 10 children. At an early age, she accepted Christ and was baptized at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church. As a church member, she sang in the youth choir and served on the Junior Usher Board.
She was educated in the Wayne County school system. She attended Wayne County Training School from first grade to 12th grade. After receiving her high school diploma in 1964, she matriculated at Morristown Junior College in Morristown, Tennessee, and obtained an associate’s degree in early childhood education in 1966. She continued her education at Savannah State College (University) in Savannah, where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1969. In 1973 she obtained a master’s degree in special education from Coppin State College (University) in Baltimore, Maryland.
She married Warren Stanley Scott in August 1969. She started her teaching career in Ludowici in September 1969. In 1971 she relocated along with her husband to Baltimore, where she continued her educational career. She was employed by the Baltimore City Public Schools System for more than 30 years. She retired from the Baltimore City Public Schools System in 2002 but continued to support the school system in various capacities.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lembrick Gabel and Conyers Elizabeth Walker; her husband, Warren Stanley Scott; and six siblings, Kim Elizabeth Walker, Howard Walker, Mary Elaine Cheatham, Sidney Lamar Walker, Eugene Louis Walker and Barbara Cornell Marshall.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Tammy Scott and Anthony Carr Sr. of Annapolis; her grandson, Anthony Carr Jr. of Annapolis; two sisters, Johnnie Mae Scott of Jesup and Marion Walker of Annapolis; one brother, Dave Walker of Jesup; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will greatly miss her.
Memorial services to celebrate the life of Edna Walker Scott will be held on Saturday, July 17, at 1 p.m. at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church Social Hall, 401 W. Pine St., Jesup, GA 31545
Royal Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Mullis Anderson
Screven—Shirley Mullis Anderson, 84, of Screven died July 7, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of O’Quinn Baptist Church and the Senior Adult Ladies Sunday School Class and served as the church’s clerk for 37 years.
Her love for cooking and serving others made a warm and inviting home. She enjoyed supporting her late husband, Jackie Anderson, with his music ministry throughout South Georgia.
Survivors include a daughter, Sandy (Winton) Denison of Screven; a son, Danny (Tammy) Anderson of Screven; two sisters, Linda (Dennis) Frazier and Elise Williams, all of Jesup; a brother, Charles (Christine) Mullis of Jesup; four grandchildren, Brian (Nicole) Denison, Cheryl (the Rev. Benji) McReady, Becky (Shawn) Ervin and Brandon Davis; 10 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration-of-life service was held July 10 at O’Quinn Baptist Church with Pastor Gerald Greenlee and the Rev. Benji McReady officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Senior Adult Ladies Sunday School Class members and staffs of Hospice of South Georgia and DaVita Dialysis.
Memorials may be made to the O’Quinn Cemetery Fund, 175 O‚‘Quinn Church Road, Screven, GA 31560.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Nannie Elizabeth Judd Bull
Jesup—Nannie Elizabeth “Nan” Judd Bull, 56, died July 6, 2021.
She was raised in Kentucky and had lived in Wayne County the past 36 years and attended Parkway Church of God. She was a former 24-year employee with DuroMed of Jesup and currently employed by the Wayne County Commissioners Office.
She enjoyed spending time with friends and family and was a “ray of sunshine” to all who knew her, her family said. She was known for making beautiful crafts for her home, gardening and sewing and loved to spend time at the beach.
She was predeceased by her father, Virgil Judd, and three sisters, Wanda Jones, Betty Roark and Patricia Lawson.
Survivors include her husband of 37 years, Wade Bull of Jesup; two sons, Norbert W. Bull and Justin Bull both of Jesup; and her mother, Patsy Matthews, of Kentucky.
Memorial services were held July 10 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harris Nix officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lawander “Noodie” Griffis Bennett
Jesup—Lawander “Noodie” Griffis Bennett, 83, of Jesup died July 9, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of Red Hill Baptist Church and a homemaker. She enjoyed baking and taking care of her family.
She was predeceased by her husband, Garland M. Bennett; a son, Lindel David Bennett; brothers, Albert, Cecil and Herbert Griffis; two sisters, JoAnne Smith and Jeanette Jones; and parents, Clarence and Miriam Griffis.
Survivors include sons, Rodney Bennett, Steve (Terri) Bennett and William (Denise) Bennett, all of Jesup; sisters, Kathleen Purcell of Jesup and Imogene Teston of Augusta; four grandchildren, Kristin (Max) Linder, Cale (Britney) Bennett, Brittany and Cliff Bennett; and three great-grandchildren, Aniston Swain, Aydenn Small and Kayson Roberson.
Funeral services were held July 12 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Alan Morgan officiating. Interment was in the Jesup City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Stanley “Pete” O’Quinn
Jesup—Stanley “Pete” O’Quinn, 60, of Jesup died July 9, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church and was a floor covering contractor. He loved to fish, hunt and restore old cars.
He was predeceased by his brother, Jason O’Quinn; stepfather, Hilton Kent; and stepmother, Joy O’Quinn.
Survivors include his mother, Christine Mullis of Jesup; his father, John Thomas O’Quinn Sr. of Jacksonville, Florida; sisters, Patsy (Tim) Hopkins of Jesup and Jennifer O’Quinn of Jacksonville; brothers, the Rev. Rodney (Velvet) O’Quinn of Jesup and John Thomas O’Quinn Jr. of Jacksonville; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held July 13 at Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church with the Rev. Rodney O’Quinn and Pastor Ray Worley officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family and friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
Joyce Murphy Sharpe
Jesup—Joyce Murphy Sharpe, 84, of Jesup died July 10, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she served 35 years as the secretary. She was a loving matriarch to her family and friends and was very devoted to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by sharing her daily devotions and preparing her “blessing cards” to many people covered in prayers.
She was a blessing to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren— true “Nanny-Nanny” to all of them.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Paul Sharpe; a brother, Edward Dewey “Bubba” Murphy Jr.; and a son-in-law, Donnie Dent.
Survivors include a daughter, Cyndi Sharpe Dent (Danny Ramsey) of Jesup; a son, Tony (Maria) Sharpe of Baxley; grandchildren, Jeremy (Andrea) Dent, Ashley (Lindsay) Dent, Kadie (Caleb) McDuffie and Nick Sharpe; great-grandchildren, Ashton, Renley, Murphy and Ayla Dent, Jaxon and Jase Kruger, Benson and Kerrigan McDuffie; a sister-in-law and her beloved Sharpe “YaYa Sisterhood,” Ann Davis Murphy of Odum; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held July 13 at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with Pastor Vann Dempsey and the Rev. Fred Anderson officiating.
The family extends a special “thank you” to Hospice of South Georgia for the love and kindness given to its precious Nanny. 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.
Nancy L. Stephens
Jesup—Nancy L. Stephens, 50, of Jesup died July 9, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of God’s Way Worship Center and a Wayne County High School graduate. She was a childcare provider.
She was predeceased by her father, W.T. Stephens Sr., and brother, Tommy Stephens.
Survivors include her mother, Thelma Watson Stephens of Jesup; sisters, Shirley O’Quinn of Pendergrass, Kay, Linda and Doreen O’Neal, all of Jesup; three brothers, Master Sgt. Archie O’Neal Jr. (U.S. Marine Corps retired), Jim O’Neal of Jesup and Maj. Daniel O’Neal (U.S. Army retired), Germany; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. William Sloan officiating. Interment will follow in Flint Branch Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family.
Family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the Rinehart Chapel.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Dan Thornton
Baxley—Dan Thornton, 45, of Baxley stepped into Heaven on July 9, 2021.
The Wayne County native had lived in Baxley the past 13 years and was a member of the Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. The former farmer was a volunteer with the Appling County Rescue and Emergency Management Agency.
He had a passion for everyone to be safe with weather technology and saved through Jesus Christ. His mission was “reach ONE MORE” for Christ. His family and friends were his loves but his Lord and Savior was the most important Person in his life.
He was predeceased by his grandparents, Dr. Bill and Bobbie Whitaker and Grady and May Thornton; two uncles, Ronnie and Philip Whitaker; a cousin, Penelope McCann; and a great-aunt, Bonnie Thornton.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Misty Spell Thornton of Baxley; a daughter, Courtney (Matt Bales) Thornton of Baxley; parents, Danny (Brenda) Thornton of Screven; two sisters, Jena (Rod) Yoder of Screven and Elena (Daniel) Hill of Gardi; a brother, John (Crystal) Thornton of Screven; two aunts, Charlie (Jim) McCann of Screven and Elaine (Leamon) Howard of Johns Island, South Carolina; an uncle, Donnie Whitaker of Savannah; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; a father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herman (Sharon) Spell of Baxley; and a sister-in-law, Bridgett (T.J.) Claiborne of Chesterfield, Virginia.
Celebration-of-life and worship services were held July 11 at Screven First Baptist Church with Pastor Jesse Declue and Pastor Hunter Brewer officiating. Interment followed in the Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Will McCann, Beau McCann, John Thornton, Rod Yoder, Daniel Hill, Cash Yoder, Johnny Wheelis, Karston Yoder, Kelvin Mock and Ryan Roberson. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Appling EMA, Wayne County High School Class of 1994, the Vernon and Jacob Nolan families, Bruce Harris, and Durwood Miller.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Michael John Evors
Jesup—Michael John Evors, 58, of Jesup died July 9, 2021.
The Glynn County native had lived in Wayne County the past 23 years and was a master musician of the dobro, banjo and many other instruments and a professional bagpiper.
He was a member of several bands, including the bluegrass band “Marshgrass” and a Celtic music trio. He was an artist who created puppet shows that were performed in libraries all over south Georgia, and one of his murals can be seen at the Wayne County Library. One of his favorite professions was being Santa at many venues during the holiday season.
His father, Johnny Edward Evors, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Jodi Tyre Evors of Jesup; a daughter, Maddie Toothman of Jesup; a son, Ian Short of Jesup; his mother, Carolyn Thornton Goodbread of Darien; three grandchildren, Cameron Short, Gavin Toothman and Korbin Toothman; and three sisters, Melissa Goodwin and Melanie Smith, both of Darien, and Michele Evors of Screven.
A celebration-of-life service was held July 13 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Gene Evors and friends officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Daniel Perez Calderon
Jesup—Daniel Perez Calderon died July 9, 2021.
He was born May 17, 1944, in Santurce, Puerto Rico, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, in the same area that produced boxing superstars Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe.
He was married to Iris Cruz.
He made his home in Brooklyn until early November, 1994, when he settled in Jesup. He said he first came to Jesup in 1989 with Richard Darden, whom he met in a mosque in Brooklyn, and now the Darden family has "adopted me."
He began his boxing career at the age of 15 in New York as a 135-pound lightweight. In 1960 he won the New York citywide P.A.L. tournament championship. In 1961 he lost in the semi-finals of the Golden Gloves tournament. Then in 1962 he won the Spanish Gloves championship. His last major amateur accomplishment was winning the Metro-AAU championship in 1963.
With an amateur record of 37-5 with 22 knockouts, he turned professional in April 1963. His first pro fight was April 30 at the old Sunny Side Gardens in Queens, and he won a third-round TKO as a welterweight.
As a professional fighter, his overall record was 34-16-2 with 18 knockouts. He fought in such places as New York, England, Canada, Bermuda, Los Angeles, Oakland, Dallas, Philadelphia, Baltimore and his home of Puerto Rico. He considers his most famous opponents to be five-time middleweight champion Emille Griffin and world champion Curtis Cokes.
While in Jesup, he and Barry Bergans opened Jesup Boxing Gym.
He was preceded in death by both parents, Ana Canovanag Perez and Isidro Perez, and two children, Ana Luz Nieves and Elias Perez.
Survivors include two daughters, Cathy Perez and Millie Perez; a son, Daniel Perez; a sister, Conchita Carrasquillo of Bronx, New York; and a brother, Jose R. Torres of Brooklyn, New York.
Funeral services were held July 14 in the Odum City Cemetery.
Community Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.