David Daniel Conner
Jesup—David Daniel Conner, 82, died Jan. 15, 2023, at his home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia and his loving family, to whom he was known as “Poppa.”
The Pierce County native was born to the late John B. Conner and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bell Conner, and he lived most of his adult life in Jesup. A graduate of Jesup High School, class of 1960, he was a Yellow Jacket letterman in football, starting as both a defensive and offensive tackle on Jesup’s 1959 state championship team, being recognized as both all-region and all-state.
At the age of 20, he married the love of his life, Charlotte Elaine Boatright, of Scuffletown, and the two spent 62 happy years together until his death. He was supremely devoted to Charlotte and his family and spent the happiest years of his life in Scuffletown with the Boat-right family and on Macon Street in Jesup with the Conner and Madray families.
He reared two children, Mike Conner and Michele Conner. He was also blessed with five grandchildren, upon whom he showered love, affection and wisdom, Dalton, Conner and Hanna Powell and Cullen and David Conner.
Throughout his life, he had an especially close relationship with his two brothers, John Conner and Paul Conner, and his nephew, Kevin Boat-right, whom he considered as another son.
He worked hard his entire adult life to support his family, working at Waynline for many years, serving 14 years in law enforcement as a police officer with the Jesup Police Department during the 1960s and later as a sheriff’s deputy with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office during the 1960s and 1970s. He eventually completed a successful 32-year career with Rayonier’s Jesup Mill, from which he retired in 2008.
His public service to Jesup also included his work as a volunteer fireman from 1972 to 1995. Having given his heart to Christ earlier in his life, he was a member of Jesup Church of God, where he faithfully and regularly attended services, even during his recent illnesses.
Survivors are his wife, Charlotte; his son, Mike (Toni) Conner of Pooler; his daughter, Michele (Richie) Powell of Jesup; five grandchildren, Dalton, Conner and Hanna Powell and Cullen and David Conner; two brothers, John Conner and Paul (Sheila) Conner; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Cason and Dianne (Jerry) King; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. at Jesup Church of God with Pastor Scott Hatten officiating. Active pallbearers will be his family. Honorary pallbearers will be Albert Hires, Otis Moxley, Larry Stanfield, Johnny Flowers, Jeremy Stively, Grant Lewis, Harry Spell, Bill Garlen and Jesup Church of God senior adults. Interment will follow in the Martha Memorial Cemetery, 444 Martha Memorial Loop, Bristol, GA 31518 with Jason King providing remarks.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Children’s Ministry of Jesup Church of God, 444 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Renee Wright Griffis
Screven—Renee Wright Griffis, 61, of Screven died from a sudden illness on Jan. 14, 2023.
The native was a member of Ritch Missionary Baptist Church and a Georgia State Patrol communications specialist in Atlanta and Statesboro. She loved her family deeply, especially her grandchildren, to whom she would pass her art of cooking. Her compassion for animals was shown as she would support and watch all kinds of God’s creatures on Facebook, from eaglets being hatched to zoo animals.
Her parents, Elliott and Carolyn Wright, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her son, Glenn (Angelisa) Griffis of Baxley; her grandchildren, Baylee, Anzleigh, Gunner and Cash Griffis; a sister who loved her too much, Teresa Wright Denison; a niece, Jennifer (Jeremy) Syron; great-nephews, Blayne (Julia Sapp) Syron and their daughter, Wrenley, Blake (Madelyn Hewitt) Syron, and Chance (Haley Smith) Syron and their son, Axel; a great-great-niece, Mackenleigh and her mother, Meagan Stephens; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins; her Georgia State Patrol family; and two “fur babies,” Tuff and Sasha.
Funeral services were held Jan. 17 at Ritch Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark Ledbetter officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Active pallbearers were her fellow Georgia State patrolmen. Honorary pallbearers will be Georgia State Patrol Communication Specialists Team.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ARF, P.O. Box 432, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Emmett M. Patterson Jr.
Ludowici—Emmett M. Patterson Jr., 79, of Ludowici died Jan. 15, 2023.
The long time Wayne County resident had lived in Ludowici the past 41 years and was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Ludowici. He was a 1961 graduate of Jesup High School and also a graduate of Brewton-Parker College.
He worked several years with Wayne Memorial Hospital in the radiology department and later became manager of the imaging services with Liberty Regional Medical Center, where he retired in 2012. He served Long County as its coroner for 33 years.
His favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing and 1950s music, which included his love for playing his drums, a talent learned in high school and college.
His parents, Emmett Sr. and Ruby Tyre Patterson, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Renee Smith Patterson of Ludowici; a son, Emmett Patterson III of McRae; five grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Jan. 18 at First Baptist Church of Ludowici with Pastor Brad Boynton and the Rev. Eric Rentz officiating. Interment followed in Baggs Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Robert Parker, Donald Parker, Vince Poole, Weyman Chapman, Michael and Darvin Freeman. Honorary pallbearers were the deacons of First Baptist Church of Ludowici.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Ludowici, P.O. Box 489, Ludowici, GA 31316.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Deborah Kay Stallings
Jesup—Deborah Kay Stallings, 60, died Jan. 14, 2023, at her home.
The native and lifelong resident of Wayne County was a seamstress and a homemaker. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend and was a true “shopaholic.”
Survivors include her daughters, Jessica Stallings and Caroline (Scott) Gay of Jesup; sons, Jerald (Kristin) Grantham of Jesup and Dalton Grantham of Ludowici; a sister, Tammie Stallings of Jesup; brothers, Gary Stallings of Reidsville and David (Joy) Stallings of Hoboken; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Jan. 17 at the funeral home chapel.
Remembrances are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici.
Richard Flood ‘Okefenokee Joe’
Salley, South Carolina—Richard “Dick” Flood, also known as Okefenokee Joe, 90, died Jan. 9, 2023, at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was a son of the late Robert Flood and Ruth Eilber Flood.
Survivors include his children, Daniel “Danny” Lovre Flood of Hanover, Pennsylvania, David Michael (Jennifer) Flood of Boyds, Maryland, Donald “Dondi” Scott (Annette) Flood of Jesup, Dale Robert Flood of Nashville, Tennessee and Richard Edmond Flood II of Salley; his sisters, Annette Mc-Kinney (Tim) Stang of Columbia, Maryland, and Reneé Louise Durham of Prince George’s, Maryland; grandchildren, Darien, Dashonda, Daniel, Rose, Zoe, Lilly, Colin, Shelby, Olivia, Brittney and William; great-grandchildren, Jane, Myles, Isabella, Christina, Phynix, Eilah, Syler, Rayden, Rynleigh, Chase and Justin; a brother, Jim (Marilyn) Flood; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Edisto Island, South Carolina, with U.S. Army rites accorded at a later date.
Friends and family may visit the on-line registry at www.folkfuneralhome
.com.
Folk Funeral Home Inc. and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.