• Rinehart & Sons
James “Twyman” Vickers
Jesup—James “Twyman” Vickers, 78, of Jesup died Aug. 28, 2025.
The Alma native had lived most of his adult life in Wayne County and was a member and deacon of Anderson Drive Baptist. He was a 35-year retired boilermaker with Local Lodge 26 out of Statesboro.
He was most known for his love of people and selling his fresh Georgia shrimp to everyone. He lived what he preached, whether fishing or hunting or “chewing the fat” with so many of his friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.D. and Dora Lee Vickers; a former wife, Velma Vickers; and a sister, Kay Boyette.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Faye Phillips Vickers of Jesup; four children, David, Keith and Terri Vickers, all of Jesup, and Shane (Becky) Tabb of Jesup; a sister, Diane (Jim) Luke of Waycross; a brother, Jack (Debra) Vickers of Darien; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration-of-life service was held on Aug. 30 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. George Paulk and the Rev. Vic Peacock officiating. Interment followed in Shiloh Cemetery in Blackshear. Active pallbearers were his family. Honorary pallbearers were “all who loved him.”
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Kevin Christopher Barton
Jesup—Kevin Christopher Barton, 38, of Jesup died Friday, August 29, 2025.
The Wayne County native was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and attended The Church of Eleven22. He enlisted in the United States Air Force with the desire to serve his country before graduating high school. He originally trained in the special forces in Tactical Air Control Party (TACP).
After losing his leg in a motorcycle accident, he was determined to still serve his country and cross-trained in cyber transport for more than 19 years. This tenacious person persevered through many trials but yet was so kindhearted and was willing to help anyone he could, his family said.
His life motto was “Never Quit!”
He was preceded in death by his grandparents William Earl, Retha, Pearline Barton and Harley Edward Smithie.
Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Meagan Williams Barton of Jesup; four children, Christopher, Elijah, Annalise and Macie Barton; parents, Steve and Wanda Barton of Odum; a sister, Olivia (Tyler) Boring of Odum; two brothers, Nathan (Bethany) Barton and Shane Barton, all of Jesup; nieces and nephews, Sydney, Lyssa Kate and Kensley Barton, Danielle, Deanna, Andrew, Audrey and Adalynn Boring, Avery Walker, Sage and Tate Williams; fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law, Kirk (Becky) Morosky, Eric (Dee) Williams; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jay (Shelby) Williams and August Williams; grandparents, Larry (Hazel) Keene, Ruth Smith and Helen Williams.
Funeral services were held Sept. 1 at Rinehart Chapel with Campus Pastor P.J. Flores officiating. Interment followed in Odum City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were his friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Belinda Ratliff Griffin
Jesup—Belinda Ratliff Griffin, 66, of Jesup died Aug. 28, 2025.
The Duval County, Florida, native had lived in Jesup most of her life and was of the Baptist faith. She was a homemaker who loved to take care of her family and “fur babies.”
The beach was her favorite destination, and she was found talking to her friends almost every night on the phone.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.J. and Maxine Ratliff.
Survivors include her husband of almost 50 years, Dale Griffin of Jesup; three children, Misty (Dylan) Drury and Matt Griffin, all of Jesup, and Mandy (Josh) Martin of Fish Hawk, Florida; eight grandchildren, Isabella, Chloe and Bradyn Drury, Sage, Mason and Sadie Griffin, and Jesse and Quinn Martin; brothers, Freddie Ratliff and Earl (Charlene) Ratliff; sisters, Janice Cowart and Phyliss (Larry) Christian; several nieces and nephews; and “fur babies,” Axel and Ollie.
Funeral services were held Aug. 31 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Tim Brantley officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Joshua Carl Waters
Jesup—Joshua Carl Waters, 48, died Sept. 1, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones after a courageous 10-year battle with cancer.
A graduate of Wayne County High-School, he was born on March 24, 1977, in Waycross to Thomas and Gail Waters. A proud Gulf War combat veteran, he served his country with honor in the U.S. Navy from 1996 to 2003, where he was stationed aboard the USS Ponce. He was honorably discharged with the rank of petty officer third class.
He had a deep love for sports, gaming, and engaging in thoughtful conversation. His infectious laughter lifted spirits and brought warmth to those around him, even through the toughest of times.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jenny Waters; his daughter, Charley Waters; his parents, Thomas and Gail Waters; his siblings, Rebecca Gordon (Sam) and Jonathan Waters (Cansas); his nieces and nephews, Luke Waters, Molly Gordon, Brinlee Sapp, Abbie Water, and J.T. Waters; and his dearest friend, Kevin Manus-Pennings.
A private service will be held for the immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (www.colorectalcancer.org).
• Out of town
Linda Adams
Screven—Linda Adams, 75, of Screven died Aug. 26, 2025.
She was born Aug. 30, 1950, and grew up in Ludowici. After many years as an Army wife and mother, she retired to Screven.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Dennis Adams Sr.
Survivors include her children, Denny (Heidi) Adams, B.G., Jason and Zacharey; grandchildren, Savannah and Caleb Spires, Trey and Jessica Adams, Aldon Adams and Knoxx Adams; and a great-grandchild, Oliver Spires, plus two on the way.
She will be greatly missed, her family said.
A celebration-of-life service will be announced in the coming weeks.
Azure Bailey Rountree
Nevils—Azure Bailey Rountree, 49, of Nevils died Aug. 19, 2025, at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
She was born in Dublin on June 13, 1976, to Vonnie Woodcock Bailey and Tony Bailey. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Statesboro.
She grew up in Vidalia. She was a 1994 graduate of Vidalia High School (VHS), and she attended Georgia Southern University. She was a high school cheerleader, and a member of the Show Choir, played the clarinet in the VHS marching band, and also ran track for VHS. She loveed singing and dancing. When she was 2 years old, she would get on the family coffee table with her little microphone and sing and dance. She also danced with the Sweet Onion Cloggers.
She was a pretty, prissy little girl and always wanted to be dressed up with hair bows in her hair, the family added. She brought much joy to her family.
She was a homemaker and the owner of Azure’s Gourmet and Sweets. She was a wonderful cook, and she was so talented in preparing all her sweets, especially pralines and beautiful cake pops. She also made one of the most delicious pound cakes. She has published two cookbooks. Her recipes are featured on the Pottery Barn Blog website and are in 10 publications throughout Southeast Georgia, including The Press-Sentinel. Her famous “Derby Hat Cake Pops” have been shared by Southern Living, and she was approached by Shark Tank about her business. Her passion was cooking, and she also did photography.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her mother, brother and four precious children: Henry, James, Anna, and Sarah. She loved her children unconditionally and did everything for them. They were the center of her world.
She was preceded in death by her father, Tony Bailey; paternal grandfather, Tom Bailey; paternal step-grandfather, Joe Humphrey; aunt, Sherrie Bailey; maternal grandfather, Avon Woodcock; maternal grandmother, Vondell Seckinger Leggett; and foster grandparents, Vira and Gross Knight, and their daughter, Doretha Dowdy.
Survivors include her husband of 24 years, Joel Rountree; sons, Henry and James Rountree; daughters, Anna and Sarah Rountree all of Nevils; her mother, Vonnie Woodcock Bailey (fiancé Johnny Branch) of Glennville; a brother, Anthony (Nikki) Bailey; nieces, Toni Bailey (Caiden) White and Brantley and Bryleigh Bailey, all of Vidalia; paternal grandmother, Mary Bailey Humphrey of Lyons; aunts, Gail (Donnie) Mason of Vidalia and Sherry (Winston) Sharpe of Jesup; uncles, Vicky Leggett of Jesup and Dusty Bateman of Hazlehurst; cousins, Jodi (Brian) Denison, Casey Leggett of Jesup, Tabatha (Derrick) Nobles, Duston (Shannon) Bateman of Vidalia; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
She had many friends from all different places. All the people who had the privilege of knowing her will miss her dearly, her family said.
Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church Worship Center on Aug. 24 with Dr. John Waters and Pastor Keith Hagan officiating. Interment was private.
Pallbearers were Anthony Bailey, Thomas Fallon, Jonny Owens, Stephen Rountree, Bryan Doughty and D.J. Vickery.
The family requests any contributions be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at www.fca.org.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory of Statesboro was in charge of the arrangements.
Anna Elizabeth Rountree
Nevils—Anna Elizabeth Rountree, 15, of Nevils died Aug. 20, 2025, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
She was born in Bulloch County on Dec. 9, 2009, to Azure Bailey Rountree and Joel Rountree.
She was a 10th-grade honor student at Southeast Bulloch High School, where she played on the SEB soccer team, was a cheerleader, participated in several school clubs, and was also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. While attending Southeast Bulloch High School, she was on the homecoming court, representing her ninth-grade class. She was very pretty and was loved so much by her fellow students. She will be missed by everyone who knew her, her family said.
She was active in the youth group at First Baptist Church, and she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends at Clarks Hill Lake, summer trips to St. Simons Island, swimming, playing volleyball with friends and cooking with her mother, Azure.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Azure Bailey Rountree; and her paternal grandfather, Tony Bailey.
Survivors include her father, Joel Rountree; brothers, Henry and James Rountree and a sister, Sarah Rountree, all of Nevils; a paternal grandmother, Katherine Rountree; a paternal grandfather, Roy Rountree; n uncle, Stephen (Kelly) Rountree, all of Hopenlikit; a maternal grandmother, Vonnie Woodcock Bailey (fiancé Johnny Branch) of Glennville; a paternal great-grandmother, Mary Bailey Humphrey of Lyons; an uncle, Anthony (Nikki) Bailey; cousins, Toni Bailey (Caiden) White and Brantley and Kayleigh Bailey, all of Vidalia.
Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church Worship Center on Aug. 24 with Dr. John Waters and Pastor Keith Hagan officiating. Interment was private.
Pallbearers were Stephen Rountree, Anthony Bailey, Thomas Fallon, Jonny Owens, Bryan Doughty and D.J. Vickery. Her classmates and teammates were honorary pallbearers.
The family requests any contributions be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at www.fca.org. Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.co
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory of Statesboro was in charge of arrangements.