8.19.20 obituaries

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Mary Joanne  Bramer Nickodem

Jesup—Mary Joanne Bramer Nickodem, 74, died Aug. 11, 2020, at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she was born on Aug. 6, 1946 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, to the late Terence George and Loretta Starr Bramer. After high school, she attended West Virginia Northern Community College in New Martinsville, West Virginia, where she earned an associate’s degree in business administration. She followed this with a regents bachelor of arts degree from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia, graduating cum laude. She then earned a master’s degree in business administration from Wheeling College in Wheeling, West Virginia.

She worked in numerous careers and in several different positions throughout her life, but her heart was always in volunteer work. She gave her time unselfishly to numerous organizations, her favorite possibly being the Girl Scouts of America. In fact, she was the founder of the first interracial Girl Scout troop in Jesup. She also volunteered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Altamaha Area and Tabitha’s Place and had participated in countless mission trips to the Dominican Republic with her fellow parishioners at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, of which she was a faithful member for many years.

In her younger years, she had worked as a lobbyist for AARP and had done extensive work for the League of Women Voters. In her spare time, she enjoyed quilting, collecting beautiful art and jewelry, baking, photography and spoiling her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Jacob John Nickodem Jr., and two sisters.

Survivors include three daughters, Heather (Patrick) Cheatham of Morrisville, North Carolina, Lt. Col Jessica Rhyne and husband, Lt. Col William Allen Rhyne, of West End, North Carolina and Brandee (John) Gurnot of  San Antonio, Texas; a sister, Carol Bramer Jeffries of West Virginia; grandchildren, Ruby and Roxy; and numerous extended-family members.

Private memorial services will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Dee Shaffer and the Rev. Nathan Wilson officiating. Entombment of her cremated remains will follow in the church columbarium.

In lieu of flowers and other gifts, contributions may be made to Tabitha’s Place, 247 S. Second Street, Jesup, GA 31545.

The family says, “Mary Jo will live in our hearts forever as one of the kindest, most loving and generous people ever to walk this earth. She truly gave more than she took, and our lives are better for the beautiful example of love that was shown by the way she lived her life.”

Howard-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

 

Louise Burkhalter Bennett

Jesup—Louise Burkhalter Bennett, 79, of Jesup died Aug. 15, 2020, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.

She was a native of Tattnall County and moved to Jesup in 1954, which is where she graduated from Jesup High School in 1959. She worked at Manhatten Shirt Factory until it closed and then worked as a hairdresser for a number of years until her retirement. She was an expert seamstress who lovingly crafted ornate wedding gowns, window treatments, and many other intricate sewing projects. In her younger years, she was a very good softball player and coach, and she spent her later years in the stands cheering on her nieces and nephews at nearly all their sporting events.

She loved her Canasta Club and her Jesup Church of God family. She was a wonderful friend to many and was always standing by to help anyone who needed her and will be missed by so many, her family said.

Preceding her in death are a daughter, Carolyn Sue “Susie” Bennett Patton; parents, Margaret B. Burkhalter and Robert M. Burkhalter Sr.; and a brother, Bobby M. Burkhalter.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Richard N. Bennett of Jesup; three sisters, Carolyn B. (Ronnie) Dent of Deatsville, Alabama, Doris B. (Ted) Raker of Hahira and Michelle B. (Bill) Parker of Jesup; a brother, Robert Milton (Bonnie) Burkhalter Jr. of Jesup; a son-in-law, Charles Patton of Jesup; and a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.

Funeral services were held Aug. 17 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Calvin Anderson officiating. Entombment followed in the Bennett Mosley Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family and friends.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 

Elaine Dardar

Jesup—Elaine Dardar, 94, of Jesup, died Aug. 15, 2020, in Carters-ville surrounded by her family.

She was born Elaine Francis Louviere on June 16, 1926, in Morgan City, Louisiana, to Joseph and Lydia Louviere. She met and married Burney Dardar in 1944. The couple traveled extensively throughout Burney’s naval career and also following his retirement.  Her fondest memories were from her husband’s time in service, as she loved the traveling, the camaraderie and the dances.

The family moved in 1956 to Jesup, where Burney began and retired from a second career with ITT Rayonier. She raised the children and still found time to teach remedial reading at the junior high school, volunteer with the hospital women’s auxiliary, participate and host bridge clubs and other card groups, and perform with the Jesup Jollies. She loved sewing and hand crafting with friends and faithfully attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church weekly as a devoted member.

After her husband’s death in 2006, she moved from Jesup to a Sun City Community in Griffin, where she enjoyed many social activities and made friends throughout the development. She later moved into Felton Manor, now Highlands Senior Living, in Cartersville, where she could be closer to family. Her firecracker personality, dry sense of humor and quick wit will be greatly missed, as will the days of reminiscing with and about her family that she loved dearly.

She was predeceased by her husband, Burney; sisters, Carmen, Hettie and Ione; and brothers, Gordon and Harold.

Survivors include her daughter, Diane (Gary) Johnson of Sandpoint, Idaho; sons, Burney H. (Cathy) Dardar of Cartersville and Darryl (Pam) Dardar of Knoxville, Tennessee;  grandchildren, Shaun (Teresa) Dardar, Kiera (David) Bluhm, Diane (Jeremy) Rice, Dawn (Darren) Swinney, Erin (Jon) Baldwin, Emily Johnson, Marla, and Little Diane; great-grandchildren: Brittany, Emily, Ashley, Tyler, Kailie, Alyssa, Elijah, Bariah, Isaac, and Jillian; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services were held Aug. 18 at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Stan Todd officiating.

The family said, “We love you, Mother, and look forward to seeing you again in eternity.”

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 

David New Jr.

Jesup—David New Jr., 72, of Jesup and previously of Charlottes-ville, Virginia, and Green-ville, South Carolina, died Aug. 7, 2020.

He was a graduate of Jesup High School and Brewton Parker College and served in the U.S. Army. He was an executive sales director for two major food service companies.

He was predeceased by his parents, Cecil and Thelma New, and a special niece, Jennifer Crummy.

Survivors include sons, David New III (Mallory Arp) of Saint Augustine, Florida and Adam New of McRae. His sons said they are grateful for the care their aunt Nancy New Brooks gave to their dad in recent years. Additional survivors include his sister, Ann Brannon; three nephews; and two nieces.

Memorials may be made to the Rescue Ranch, 783 Highway 441, McRae, GA 31055.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

Joseph W. “Joe” Overholt

Jesup—Joseph W. “Joe” Overholt, 83, of Jesup died Aug. 14, 2020.

The Norfolk, Virginia, native had lived in Wayne County the past 38 years and was a faithful member of Lake Grace Mennonite Church. He was a former owner of Overholt Construction and Homes Company and a farmer.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Sadie Stoltzfus Overholt of Jesup; four daughters, Kathi (Charran) Miller of Columbus, North Carolina, Wanda (Alan) Steiner of Seneca, South Carolina, Sharon (Gene) Miller of Screven and Sandra (Lyn) Miller of Goshen, Indiana; two sons, Stan (Regina) Overholt and Jonathan (Gloria) Overholt, all of Jesup; brother, Brother Henry Overholt of Montezuma.; 24 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Private funeral and burial services will be held in the Lake Grace Mennonite Church Cemetery.

A public celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

Dell Boatright Pruitt

Jesup—Dell Boatright Pruitt, 77, of Jesup died Aug. 16, 2020.

The Wayne County native was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, a homemaker, a helper with Pruitt Trucking Company and owner of Dell’s Crafty Corners.

She was the widow of Charles Edward Pruitt Sr.

Survivors include her sons, Ricky (Sandra) Pruitt, Randy (Renee) Pruitt, and Charles E. Pruitt Jr. (fianceé, Karen Scott), all of Jesup; a sister, Ardelia Thomas of Alma; and several grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held today (Wednesday) at 2:00 p.m. at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Randy Pruitt and the Rev. Danny Daniels officiating. Interment will be in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family and friends.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

John “Wayne” Williams Sr.

Jesup—John “Wayne” Williams Sr., 82, of Jesup died Aug. 16, 2020, after a lengthy illness.

The Wayne County native and 1957 Jesup High School graduate was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, where he was a deacon, song leader and Sunday school teacher. As an original member of the Journeyman Quartet of Southeast Georgia and a member of the Schell Family of Hazlehurst, he loved to sing. Although he had many occupations such as radio station assistant manager at WGBR, he also was a car salesman and driver. He was a retiree from Life of Georgia Insurance Company, where he received awards for his many sales. His humor and great personality endeared him to his friends and family.

He was predeceased by his precious son, John Wayne Williams Jr.; parents, Johnnie and Sybil Williams; and sisters, Kathleen Manning and Linda Williams.

Survivors include a wife of 62 years, Elise Hires Williams of Jesup; a daughter, Sheron Williams (Michael) Perry of Huntsville, Alabama; a sister, Nathlee Teston of Jesup; grandchildren, Zach Williams of Dallas, Texas, Allison Perry of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Kade Williams of Jesup and Tyler Perry of Huntsville, Alabama; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held today (Wednesday) at 10 a.m. at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Dr. Ron Wilcox and the Rev. Harris Nix officiating. Interment will follow in the Spring Grove Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Zach Williams, Kade Williams, Tyler Perry, Rex Manning, Jason Teston and Danny Anderson.      Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Trinity Baptist Church, the Adult Men’s Sunday School Class members and the Hospice of South Georgia staff.

Visitation will be held an hour prior to services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Gideons International, Jesup Campus, P.O. Box 602, Jesup, GA 31598.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

Louise Grainger

Screven—Louise Grainger, 86, of Screven died Aug. 14, 2020, in Mossy Oaks Nursing Home. 

The South Carolina native had lived in Screven most of her life and was a member of Screven First Baptist Church.

She was predeceased by her father, Dallas Grainger, mother and stepfather, Mary and Palmer Aspinwall.

Survivors include sisters, Doris G. “Peggy” (John) Taylor of Lutz, Florida and Judy (Charles) Sharpton of Savannah; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services will were held Aug. 15 in Screven City Cemetery with the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 

 

Mary Frances Duren

Jesup—Mary Frances Duren, 84, of Jesup died Aug. 15, 2020.

She was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, on May 20, 1936, to Reuben and Mary Sue Ross Duren.

She was a graduate of Greenwood High School, 1954; Blue Mountain College, 1958; and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, 1962. She was a participant in a choral ensemble during her years at Blue Mountain College.

After completing her education, she moved to Southeast Georgia, where she served in three churches. She initially served Central Baptist Church in Waycross and then moved to Calvary Baptist Temple in Savannah. In January 1972, she began her ministry with Jesup First Baptist Church. Her ministry with First Baptist Church spanned 28 years before her retirement in December 1999. Following her retirement, she continued to serve as a lay minister in various areas for an additional 18 years. During her years of service, she filled many different roles. She worked with children, youth, senior adults and the education ministry of the church. She dedicated many years to serving those with disabilities and established the Happy Hearts Sunday School Class.

She was well-known throughout the local area and state for her work. She led conferences for Georgia Baptists related to Special Ministries and Vacation Bible School. She was honored in June 2014 by the Mental Health America Wayne County with a Community Advocate Award for her work with special needs ministries. In October 2014 she was recognized by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving as a Georgia Care-Net Volunteer Caregiver of the Year. Additionally, in May 2015 she was awarded the Mildred Huie Leadership Award from Easter Seals Southern Georgia for her work to establish Sunday school classes for adults with special needs. She was instrumental in starting a monthly respite evening for children and parents in Wayne County. Georgia Baptists also established a Mary Frances Duren Special Needs Teacher of the Year Award in her honor that was presented to a Sunday school teacher in Georgia.

She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Martha Sue Duren.

Survivors include her goddaughter, Melissa A. (Dave) Hogan of Winchester, Virginia; and several cousins in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Services were held Aug. 18 at Jesup First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at a later date in Greenwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Jesup, P.O. Box 1115, Jesup, GA 31598 or Easter Seals Southern Georgia 505 Elizabeth Street, Waycross, GA 31501.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici.

Arrangements in Mississippi are under the direction of Wilson & Knight Funeral Home of Greenwood.

 

 

Clayton S. (Bo)  Hendricks

Atkinson—Clayton S. (Bo) Hendricks of Atkinson died on the morning on Aug.15, 2020 at his home, with his three sons and his wife of 60 years by his side.

The second son of S.T. and Penny Hendricks, he was born in Glynn County on Oct. 18, 1935. Though his parents intended to name him after an uncle named Sweed, an error at the hospital caused his full name to be recorded as Clayton Sweet Hendricks. He endured ribbing about his unusual middle name for his entire life.

Growing up in Brunswick during World War II meant that from an early age, he was accustomed living off the land and using creative means to entertain himself. His mother grew vegetables in her garden, and his father raised livestock in the fenced yard off Cleburne Street. As a boy, he fished in the creeks and streams near his home to provide food for his family. As an adult, he fished in the marshes off the Golden Isles for the sheer pleasure of wetting a line. By nature, he was not a patient man, but fishing was something he could do alone or accompanied, in salt water or fresh, in the cold darkness of a winter morning with a brother-in-law or in the warm sunshine of a summer evening with his grandchildren.

During high school at Glynn Academy, he discovered that he had a gift for machine work. He was able to take many classes that refined his skills, and upon graduation, he immediately found employment as a machinist. He joined the Air National Guard and was honorably discharged after several years of service.

After years of pursuit and wooing, he was finally able to persuade the love of his life, Mary Cross of Hickox, to marry him in 1960, and the newlyweds lived in Jacksonville, Florida, for a brief time. However, their kin were in Southeast Georgia, and with their two young sons, Sammy and Randy, in tow, the young couple moved to Blythe Island, and he began his career at Hercules Incorporated. During the next decade, he steadily worked through the ranks of the manufacturing plant as a machinist, a perfectionist, an innovator and a leader. Another son, Eric, was born, completing their family.

The couple purchased land in western Brantley County, in the community of Atkinson. Over the next 20 years, he built a two-story home of his own design that boasted two stories, four bedrooms, two baths and ample living spaces for his constantly growing brood.

Oldest son Sammy married Alisha Stanfield of Jesup, and they became parents of two children, Tammy and Clay. Middle son Randy married Wanda Paulk of Brunswick, and they became parents of two children as well, Josh and April. Youngest son Eric married Suzanne Shockley of Apalachee, and they became parents of three—Miranda, Hailey and John Thomas.

After three decades of faithful service to Hercules, in 1994, he retired from his prestigious role of maintenance manager and pondered what to do next.

He’d always loved working with machines, his hands comfortable around tools that turned raw materials into something useful. He built a pie safe for his wife, and after his three daughters-in-law admired his craftsmanship, he built one for each of them. Turning his attention to remodeling homes, he found his new niche. His artistry and attention to detail was featured in local newspapers after he restored two homes in Brantley County that had been built from Sears & Roebuck kits at the turn of the 20th century.

His life centered on servitude, which was centered on his deep and abiding Christian faith. He and his wife were charter members at King Memorial Baptist Church. He was the primary designer and builder of the sanctuary. He was also a deacon for many years. Never was he afraid to pray over his family or share the gospel. His belief in the power of the Holy Trinity brought him great comfort during his life. When Sammy’s daughter, Tammy, was lost in a tragic car accident, he prayed for peace. When Randy’s wife, Wanda, lost her battle with cancer, he prayed for solace. When his grandchildren joined the church, he prayed for their protection. When his great-grandchildren were born, he prayed for time to enjoy them.

Of his siblings, he leaves behind four younger sisters—Jackie Carlin, Wannelle Williams, Nita Tompkins and Debbie Davis. His three sons—Sammy, Randy and Eric—will continue honing the machinist skills they learned from their father. His surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren—Clay and son Ty; Josh and Ashley (Rewis) and their sons Garrett and Zane; April and Dan Music and their children Braxton and  Braylee, Miranda, Hailey and JT—will fondly share stories and antics of their “Pop Pop” for years to come. His numerous nieces and nephews will recall their uncle’s generosity.

Funeral services were held Aug. 18 at King Memorial Baptist Church. He was laid to rest in Knox Cemetery. Services were conducted by Steve Beal, pastor of Lulaton Baptist Church, and Mike Yawn, pastor of King Memorial for many years. Pallbearers were Sammy Hendricks, Randy Hendricks, Eric Hendricks, Josh Hendricks, J.T. Hendricks and Dan Music.

Arrangements were by Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.