Gail Blanton Smiley
Jesup—Gail Blanton Smiley, 66, of Jesup died Oct. 9, 2021.
The Wayne County native was a member of New Life Pentecostal Church and was a retired Kmart employee and former employee with Coastal Pines Technical College.
She enjoyed crocheting, traveling and being “crazy with her family and friends.”
She was predeceased by her parents, J.A. and Erie Lee Blanton.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Kristine (Steven) Smiley of Jesup; sisters, Mary (Chuck) Seckinger of Jesup; a twin sister, Linda (Ira) Baker of Jesup; a brother, Johnny Lee Blanton of Jesup; grandchildren, Jayden and Jace Jolin; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Alice Strickland of Ludowici.
Celebration-of-life services were held Oct. 13 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Justin Drawdy officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Marilyn Graham Heckwine
Jesup—Marilyn Graham Heckwine, 81, of Jesup died Oct. 27, 2021.
The Baxley native and former 27-year resident of Illinois had lived in Wayne County the past 32 years. She was a member of Red Hill Baptist Church and the Ladies American Legion Auxiliary group.
Her husband of 59 years, Gale Heckwine, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her son, Carl Heckwine of Jacksonville, Florida; her daughter, Deborah Harrison of Waycross; a granddaughter, Nicole Harrison, and her father, Donnie Harrison, both of Brantley; and great-grandchildren.
Graveside funeral services were held Oct. 30 in Sunset Memorial Oaks Cemetery with the Rev. Fred Anderson officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Vickie Crawford
Jesup—Vickie Crawford, 69, of Jesup died Oct. 27, 2021.
The Texas native had lived in Wayne County the past 36 years and was a homemaker. She enjoyed being a wife, mother and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Pennie Lea Rowe; her mother, Tommie Livingston; and two brothers, Ruell and Charles “Poncho” Hayes.
Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Bob Crawford of Jesup; a son, Chris (Michelle) Rowe of Screven; and three grandsons, Christopher Rowe Jr., and Michael and Jayden Carroll.
Memorial services are being held by the family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Antonio Mar’quavion Jackson
Jesup—Antonio Mar’quavion Jackson, 18, of Jesup died unexpectedly on Oct. 27, 2021.
Affectionately known as “Buckoo,” he was born on Aug. 1, 2003, to Antonio Marvin James and Cynthia Lashell Jackson-Pickett in Jesup. He was educated in the Wayne County school system and attended Spiritual Body Holiness Church, where he played the drums and enjoyed singing the gospel.
He also enjoyed playing basketball, as well as, spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Louis Henry Troup, Annie Mae Jackson and Willie Jean Troup, George and Lucille Jackson, and Albert and Trudie Bryant.
Survivors include his parents, Antonio (Lillian Reyes) James of North Dakota and Cynthia (Bernard) Pickett of Jesup; two sisters, Kiyaa Brown of Douglas and Breanna James of Jesup; four brothers, Derrick Edge of Baxley, Travis Brown, Zion Jackson and Demaryon James, all of Jesup; his uncles and aunts, Pasty Jackson, Terry (Danielle) Jackson, Gary (Lorraine) Jackson, Richard (Vickie) Jackson, Lottie (Reginald) Hunter and Jerry Epps all of Jesup; grandparents, Bishop Richard (Bertha) Jackson and Alfred (Rose) James, all of Jesup; godparents, Carter (Rose) Bryant; a godbrother, Jamarion Williams of Baxley; a godsister, Kursten Johnson of Atlanta; “like a big brother,” Eric Jenkins of Jesup; his close friends Ka’Mirion Arrington, Jordan Harris, De-metrius McBride, Tre-Shun Brady, Mar’qavious Goodman, Maurice Goodman, Rayann Brady and Brian Smith; his Briarwood family; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A walk-through viewing will be held on Friday, Nov. 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Royal Funeral Home Chapel, 247 W. Pine Street.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m. at Screven Cemetery, Screven Cemetery Road.
All planning to attend services are asked to wear a mask and adhere to the social-distancing guidelines set by local health officials and the CDC.
Graveside services will be livestreamed through the facebook/webpage royalfuneralhomeinc
.com.
Royal Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.