• Royal
Eliza Darden
Jesup—Eliza Darden died quietly July 9, 2025 at Memorial Health University in Savannah.
A visitation will be held at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m July 18.
The celebration-of-life service will be held on July 19 at 11 a.m. at Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church with a repast to follow.
Royal Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Rinehart & Sons
Marcia Jones Knowles
Jesup—Marcia Jones Knowles, 85, of Jesup died July 12, 2025.
The Wayne County native was a Baptist and worked in sales and was a restaurant cook for several years. She enjoyed all outdoor activities and in her younger years visiting with friends.
She was the widow of Jack Knowles and was also predeceased by a granddaughter, Deborah Fowler.
Survivors include two daughters, Dianne Chambless of Jesup and Mary F. Cribbs of Blackshear; grandsons, Roger Nitch, Steven Robinson Jr., Billy Cribbs and James McKenzie; several great-grandchildren; two sisters, Vivian McBride of Jesup and Emma Glecker of Brunswick; and four brothers, David Jones of Odum, William D. Jones of Brunswick, James Jones of Odum and I.V. Jones of Screven.
Memorial services will be held by the family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sandra S. Surrency
Odum—Sandra S. Surrency, 73, of Odum died July 14, 2025, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Alma native had lived most of her life in Wayne County and was a member of Jesup Church of God. She was an ITT Rayonier retiree and former owner of Sandra-Lee’s Formal Wear in Odum. Encouragement was one of her gifts to her family and to other women in the community so they would feel loved and beautiful.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Mattie Sweat, and her brother, Calvin Sweat.
Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Eddie Surrency of Odum; a daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Sean Ellerbee of Monroe; two grandchildren, Jack and Ben Ellerbee; two sisters, Emma Lee Morris of Brunswick and Debbie (Don) Waters of Odum; a brother, Glynn (Mary) Sweat of Brunswick; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held July 16 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Calvin Anderson officiating. Private family interment followed in Red Hill Cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Debra Harrell Davis
Harris Neck—Debra Harrell Davis, 68, entered into the glorious presence of her Lord and Savior on July 14, 2025, surrounded by the love and prayers of her devoted family.
A proud resident of Harris Neck for the past eight years and formerly of Jesup for more than 55 years, she was born on Sept. 26, 1956, in Jeff Davis County to the late Charlie Harrell and Edna Brown Harrell. A woman of great purpose and unwavering commitment, she dedicated more than 38 years of faithful service to the federal government—first at Fort Stewart and later for more than two decades at FCI Jesup.
She was a founding member of Turning Point Worship Center, where she humbly and diligently served as church secretary for 16 years. She was not just a colleague but a beloved friend and spiritual sister to many. To all who knew her, she was affectionately known as “The Queen,” “DeDe” and “Debra D.” Her presence radiated elegance, grace and quiet strength, qualities she carried with pride and humility throughout her life.
She embodied love, kindness and a gentle, gracious spirit. Her infectious laughter and quick wit brought warmth and joy to all who had the privilege of knowing her, leaving a lasting impression on every heart she touched. She embraced life’s quiet pleasures with grace—savoring a morning coffee by the coast, casting a fishing line with ease, painting with gentle creativity, browsing her favorite shops and thoughtfully piecing together puzzles.
She also took great joy in nurturing her yards. Yet above all, she was a woman of profound faith and steadfast devotion—anchored first in her relationship with her Savior and then in her boundless love for her husband, Don, and for those closest to her heart, especially her beloved grandchildren.
Survivors include her beloved husband of 49 years, Don Davis of Harris Neck; her two sons, J.D. (Kacee) Davis of Jesup and Jordan (Jessica) Davis of Jesup; her four cherished grandchildren, Jace, Kaylee, Kitt and Tatum Davis.; a devoted sister, Mary (Larry) Tomberlin of Surrency; a brother, David (Laura) Harrell of Dadeville, Alabama; and many extended- family members, including loving aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration-of-life service will be held today (Thursday) at 1 p.m. at Turning Point Worship Center, with pastor Justin Mitchell officiating. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the church.
She will be laid to rest at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery following the celebration-of-life service.
Active pallbearers will be Jace Davis, Samuel Pye, Sawyer Pye, Jeffrey Tomberlin, Bill Harrell and Adam Davis. Honorary pallbearers will include her Springfield Plantation family, the Bike and Book Club, and the elders, Board of Directors, and past and present staff of Turning Point Worship Center, as well as Kitty Milikin and her dear fishing companions, Billy and Marilyn Cowart.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in loving memory of her to Turning Point Christian Academy, 1801 S. Palm St., Jesup, GA 31546.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Out of town
Lewis Montgomery McGowan
Fremont, Wisconsin—Lewis “Buck” Montgomery McGowan, 83, of Fremont, Wisconsin, died July 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on June 28, 1942, in Mobile, Alabama, the son of Robert and Coy (Moore) McGowan. He graduated from Jesup High School in 1960 and immediately began serving his country in the U.S. Army.
His career with the pulp and paper industry included Rayonnier ITT in Jesup; start-up operations in mills in Eureka, California, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and finally Consolidated Papers in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
He was in Wisconsin Rapids interviewing for the job with Consolidated when he met his future wife, Judy Kolstra, and they were married Jan. 11, 1970. Sons Michael and Andrew were born in Wisconsin Rapids ,and David was born in Neenah, Wisconsin. He worked for Consolidated Papers for 32 years, retiring from the Kraft Division of Consolidated in 2000.
He and Judy moved to The Villages, Florida, in 2001 and maintained their Wisconsin connection with a residence in Fremont, to which they eventually permanently moved.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Coy McGowan, and a sister, Barbara Thomas.
He was survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy; children, Michael (Amy), Andrew (Jessica) and David (Deliana Rivera); grandchildren, Gavin, Sophia, Evelyn and Charlie; a brother, Robert (Betty) McGowan; two sisters, Sharon Brannon and Cindy Nichols; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
A memorial service, followed by military rites, will be held on July 23 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Pine St., Weyauwega, Wisconsin. Pastor Emily Lueder will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of service. A memorial fund has been established for Fremont-Wolf River American Legion Post No. 391.
Lewin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sandra Flowers Rice
St. Simons Island—Sandra Flowers Rice died peacefully on July 14, 2025, after a battle with progressive supranuclear palsy.
She was born Aug. 23, 1947, in Jesup and graduated from Jesup High School in 1965. To her Jesup friends and family, she was always known as Sandra; to many others, she was affectionately called Sandy, and to her five much-loved grandchildren, she was simply “Sassy.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Georgia and completed her master’s degree in education at the University of West Georgia. She taught special education for more than 30 years, serving first at Glynn Academy, then at Brunswick High School and finally at St. Simons Elementary. During her three decades of service, she also spent three years working with the West Georgia Regional Education Service and teaching at Central High School, when her husband’s business interests briefly relocated the couple to Carrollton.
She was married to Bobby Rice from 1985 until his death in 2020. They were quite the gregarious couple who enjoyed frequent social outings with longtime friends. She was known for her love of gardening, cooking, decorating and entertaining. An energetic and enthusiastic hostess, she filled her home with warmth, love, music, laughter, delicious food and seasonal flowers from her well-tended garden. Her friends and family eagerly anticipated holidays and dinner parties at the Rices’ house, where “the bar was always open at 5 o’clock, and the decorations were legendary,” her family said.
She had a deep love for all animals, especially horses. She spent her youth and young adult years working at the Sea Island Stables, where some of her colleagues said she spent as much time on four legs as she did on her own two. Besides horses, she adored her cats and dogs, her birds, her raccoons, her deer, and almost every other four-legged “critter.” Once, she even nursed a severely injured baby squirrel back to life. When not at the stables, in the kitchen or in her garden, she could often be found on the beach with her 11th Street Beach Club crew.
She was an active member of Christ Church, Frederica for more than 40 years, serving in various capacities, including vestry, Sunday school teacher, Altar Guild, Wedding Guild, Newcomers’ Guild, Tour of Homes committee and Faithworks.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William Robert Flowers and Dora McCranie Flowers; her husband, Robert (Bobby) Williams Rice; and her brothers, Bob Flowers and Dan Flowers. Survivors include her two daughters, Shannon Watson (David) Ball and Morgan Watson and her five grandchildren, Christopher Ball, William Ball, Joseph Ball, Maia (Richard) Detore and Ian Watson-Shulhan. She is also survived by her first husband and the father of her daughters, Doyle Watson, and his wife, Lee; her in-laws, Jim and Jane Watson; and her long-time devoted friends Beth and Mickey Carley, Emmy Minor, Libby Barns (Johnny), Susan Blakely and Libby Matthews.
Funeral services will be held July 20 (Sunday) at 4 p.m. at Christ Church, Frederica with a reception to follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the CurePSP Foundation: www.psp.org/donate.
The family gives a special thank-you to Hospice of the Golden Isles for the attentive and compassionate care they provided her.