• Rinehart & Sons
Charles Gordon Bishop
Jesup—Charles Gordon Bishop, 87, born and raised in Jesup died peacefully on July 1, 2026, under the care of the “wonderful” nurses and staff of Hospice of South Georgia.
He worked at ITT Rayonier for 39 years before retiring in 1996. He loved to spend time outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and vacationing in Daytona Beach. For many years, he would plant a small vegetable garden, and he would always be sure to share his daily pickings with others. He was also an excellent “Mr. Fix-it” and was always ready with tools in hand. If he didn’t happen to have on hand what he needed to fix the problem, he could easily find other items to fashion into just what he needed to make it work. He would often spend hours just tinkering around his workshop, riding around his property on his buggy, or sitting on his back porch, enjoying nature.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Ruby Bishop, and his sister, Carolyn Maley.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Nannette Landrum Bishop of Jesup; a son, Dr. Charles (Leslie) Bishop Jr. of Jesup; two grandchildren, Emily Bishop (Kyle) Quellmalz of Freeburg, Illinois, and Bradley Bishop of Chicago, Illinois,; two great-grandchildren, Harper and Carter; two brothers, Frederick (Connie) Bishop of Screven and Demery (Bonnie) Bishop of Tybee Island; and several nieces and nephews.
There will be a private graveside service held at a future date in the Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1425 Sunset Boulevard, Jesup, GA 31545
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Derrick Wayne Simpson
Jesup—Derrick Wayne Simpson, 54, of Jesup died July 5, 2026.
The Virginia native and lifelong North Carolina resident was a Christian and loved all sports, including football and basketball. He was very detail oriented and liked Westerns with John Wayne being a favorite.
He was predeceased by his father, Teddy L. Simpson Sr., and a brother, Teddy Simpson Jr.
Survivors include his mother, Peggy Holliday Flores of Jesup; a sister, Angela (Jason) Rainwater of Baxley; a brother, Mark (Tressie) Simpson of North Carolina; and several nieces or nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held July 8 at Sunset Oaks Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Forrest Carter Harper Jr.
Anderson, South Carolina—Forrest Carter Harper Jr. died June 4, 2026, in Anderson, South Carolina.
He was born on March 3, 1948, in Raleigh, North Carolina, to the late, Forrest Carter Harper Sr. and Martha Pierce Harper. He spent his early years in Jesup and later graduated from high school in Rome. It was hard to know him and not be crazy about him, his family said. He had a warm, inviting and magnetic personality which made him a natural salesman. He could sell just about anything, and he did throughout his career, selling everything from tools to long-leaf pine needles. He was always well-dressed and was well-known for his gentle manner and great sense of humor. He was a wealth of knowledge. His creativity and ability to form strong relationships with other people enabled him to gain wisdom in non-traditional ways that served him well throughout his life. He “never met a stranger” and was a most interesting conversationalist, as he had so many interesting life experiences to draw from.
In his spare time, he really enjoyed traveling and regularly participated in a host of outdoor activities including, sailing, fishing and skiing. His faith in Christ was strong and was evident in his life by the kindness he showed to those around him.
In addition to his parents, his sister, Vicky Pierce Harper, and his brother-in-law, Bill Sanders Jr., preceded him in death.
Survivors include his sister, Patsy Harper Sanders of Anderson, South Carolina; four nieces, Trish (Jacob) Bowland, Betts Sanders and Marian (Eric) Kinard, all of Anderson, South Carolina, and Alisha Perara of Houston, Texas; two nephews, Bill Sanders III of Anderson, South Carolina, and Harper Deaner of Augusta; numerous cousins; and a host of other extended-family members.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 11, at 3 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
James Earnest Edenfield
Screven—James Earnest Edenfield, 81, of Screven died peacefully on July 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, after a courageous battle with illness.
Born and raised in Screven, he built a life defined by hard work, faithfulness and an unwavering love for his family. He spent many years as a proud journeyman lineman and member of the IBEW. He also served honorably as a reservist in the Coast Guard. After returning home to Georgia with his family, he continued doing the work he loved until a workplace electrical accident caused permanent damage to his heart, bringing an end to the career that had become such a part of who he was.
Although he could no longer climb poles, he never stopped being a lineman at heart. Every drive down the road became a lesson as he pointed out different types of utility poles or shared stories about climbing heights most people wouldn’t dare attempt. His pride in his work never faded, and neither did his love of sharing those memories.
He was a proud member of Screven Lodge No. 368, where he was a dedicated Mason who cherished the principles of brotherhood, charity and service. He was also a proud Shriner, finding great purpose in supporting an organization devoted to helping children and serving others.
When he wasn’t talking about power lines, he could usually be found outdoors. He loved farming alongside his son, growing watermelons, cantaloupes, peanuts and winter rye before taking their harvest to market. He found peace tending his beehives and took great pride in producing honey. During hunting season, he especially enjoyed running deer dogs with his son and, every now and then, persuading his daughter to tag along for the adventure.
In his later years, he became a devoted Atlanta Braves fan. If you stopped by while the Braves were playing, chances are you were going to sit down and listen to the game right alongside him. And if it was a Monday or Wednesday night, the television was tuned to WWE. He loved every minute of it.
He “never met a stranger.” If you went anywhere with him, you could count on stopping while he struck up a conversation with someone. He loved telling stories—about his younger days, climbing poles, hunting with his deer dogs, or the unforgettable day he accidentally shot a hole through the floorboard of his truck. His stories were full of laughter and he had a remarkable gift for making everyone around him feel like an old friend.
Of all the roles he held in life, none meant more than being a husband, Daddy, grandfather and great-grandfather. He shared an extraordinary 60 years of marriage with the love of his life, Sally Ann. Together they built a home filled with love, laughter, and security. He worked tirelessly to make sure his family was always cared for, and family members never doubted how deeply they were loved.
Survivors include his devoted wife of 60 years, Sally Ann Edenfield; his daughters and sons-in-law, Jessica and Michael Jones and Leslie and Shelton Westberry; his granddaughter, Emily Manning, and her partner, Evan Westberry; his grandson, Hunter (Brook) Manning, and their son, Emerson James, who held a very special place in his heart; his sister, Irene Riendeau; nephews, Chris and Robert Riendeau; a niece, Tina Smith; and several great-nieces and great-nephews as well. He also leaves behind his faithful companions, Joey and Buttercup, who were always close by.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, James Earnest Edenfield Jr.; his parents, Thelma Stanfield Edenfield and John Reedy Edenfield; his sister, Iletha Brooks; a brother-in-law, Yank Riendeau; a nephew, Mike Riendeau; and a great-nephew, Christopher Riendeau.
While his family grieves the loss of the sweetest soul family members have ever known, they find comfort in knowing his legacy lives on—in every story retold, every field planted, every jar of honey, every hunt, every power pole that catches their eye, and every lesson he quietly taught through a life of honesty, hard work and unconditional love, his family said.
The family added that to know James was to know kindness and that to love him was a blessing. He will be deeply missed, forever remembered and always loved, his family said.
The family extends a special thank-you to the incredible caregivers who loved him so well throughout his journey. “To his favorite nurses—Robin, April, Lydia and Cheyenne—thank you for always making “Poppy” feel like one of your own. Your kindness, compassion and genuine love brought comfort not only to him, but to our entire family,” the family said.
A heartfelt thank-you also goes to Dr. Pumpelly, Becky, Karen, Chris and Jessica for the exceptional care, friendship and support they gave him over the years. “Know that you all became so much more than his health care team—you became part of our family,” the family said.
“Dr. Pumpelly—he wanted to leave you with one final message. He always looked forward to his appointments because, as he would say, he got to ‘give you hell.’ With a smile, he wanted you to know that his ‘two-stroke’ finally gave up. We know you’ll understand exactly what he meant, and we hope it brings the same smile to your face that it brings to ours. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Janice Marie Rhodes Scarborough
Jesup—Janice Marie Rhodes Scarborough, 84, died peacefully on July 4, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
A resident of Jesup for more than 30 years, she was born on Jan. 8, 1942, in Columbus to the late Guy and Willine Freeman Rhodes. She lived most of her early life in Phenix City, Alabama, before relocating to Ohio for several years She moved back south to Atlanta before moving even farther south, to Baxley, in 1976, eventually settling in Jesup in the 1990s.
She was blessed with the ability to lead her coworkers and worked in management positions most of her life with several different companies. She was a joy to be around, always laughing and having fun, her family said. She practiced the teachings of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by living life humbly and by giving to those who were less fortunate. She was a longtime member of the House of Worship and Ministries and a former member of the Baxley Church of God, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She also loved her community and continued her service to others by volunteering her time with the Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for more than 15 years, working in the gift shop. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, shopping in thrift stores and playing games on her computer, but above all, she cherished the time she spent with her beloved family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Terry Alexander, and her sisters, Jeri Basham and Jo Ellison.
Survivors include her four sons, Mike Alexander of LaPine, Oregon, Eddie Alexander of Palm Coast, Florida, Walter (Meghan) Alexander of Sunnyvale, California, and Guy (Debra) Alexander of Atlanta; one daughter, Rhonda (Jack) Blue of Jesup; two sisters, Amy Moore of Phenix City, Alabama, and Judy Turner of Orlando, Florida; grandchildren, Crystal (Brian) Henning of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Tracy Bolster of Jacksonville, Florida, Danni (B.J.) Brooker of Blackshear, Brady and Justin Alexander of Atlanta and Austin and Sadie Furcht of Redwood City, California; numerous great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 10, at 11 a.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Mickey Tomberlin officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Interment will be private.
Members of the Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.