Dr. William Vaughn “Bill” Headley Jr.
Jesup—Dr. William Vaughn “Bill” Headley Jr., 59, died peacefully on May 6, 2022, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
He was born on June 29, 1962, in Alexander City, Alabama, the oldest of four sons of William V. and Anita Headley. He earned his Eagle Scout rank and graduated from Newnan High School with honors in 1980. He soloed in an airplane before he could drive a car by himself and went on to earn his private pilot’s license. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology on a Navy Reserve Officer’s Training Corps scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree of electrical engineering in December 1984. He was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy.
Following his commissioning, he was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, for flight training and earned his “wings of gold” as a naval flight officer in May 1986. He was also stationed in San Diego, California; Warminster, Pennsylvania; and Jacksonville, Florida, where he met and married the former Keri Ann Shannon.
He was deployed on both the USS Saratoga (CV-60) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), where he served in the Persian Gulf in November 1992, launching a strike against anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missile sites in Southern Iraq following Operation Desert Storm. He left the Navy in January 1994 to apply to medical school.
He graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in May 1999 and completed his internship and residency at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, South Carolina, in June 2002. Dr. Headley initially joined the partners of Wayne Family Practice in August 2002. The senior partner there, Dr. Ollie O. McGahee Jr., was instrumental in getting him credentialed as a volunteer assistant professor of the Department of Family Medicine of the Medical College of Georgia, teaching third-year medical students their six-week family medicine clerkships. With Dr. McGahee’s death in January 2003, Dr. Headley assumed that leadership role and was eventually promoted to full clinical professor. He was later appointed assistant clerkship director for the Southeast regional campus of the Medical College of Georgia of Augusta University. He personally taught and mentored 103 students for their four-to-six-week family medicine rotation over the span of 18 years.
He established his own business at Headley Family Medicine on Dec. 1, 2011.
With their sons well-established in the Wayne County school system, his wife, Keri, was able to work in the office as the manager. To build his practice, he also worked at Wayne Memorial Hospital as both an emergency department physician and as a hospitalist. He has also served as medical director not only for the Harborview Health Systems nursing home but also of Hospice of South Georgia.
He found faith as a child, and it became a constant in his life, no matter where he lived. He was active in the Baptist Student Union while a student at Georgia Tech. He and Keri have been members at First Baptist Church Jesup since their arrival in July 2002, raising their sons to be able to find their own faith in Jesus as well. He has served as a Sunday school teacher, a member of several committees, a deacon, and the chairman of deacons. He went on two of the church’s mission trips to Yungay, Peru. While not possessing the most musical talent, he had enough to enjoy singing in the choir and being a part of something larger than himself worshipping God.
He served in several leadership roles with the Boy Scouts of America Pack 450 and Troop 450. All three of his sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, completing three generations of Eagle Scouts. Several other young men achieved Eagle Scout rank during his tenure with the Scouts through the end of 2020. He was awarded NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the Eagle Scouts
He was preceded in death by his mother, Anita Headley.
Survivors include his wife, Keri; sons, William, Andrew and Robert; his father, William V. Headley; his brothers Mitch (Margaret), Matthew (Amy), and Lucas (Beth); and “a mess” of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held May 10 at First Baptist Church, Jesup with Dr. Michael VonMoss officiating.
Honorary pallbearers were the staff members of Harborview Health Systems, Jesup, and Hospice of South Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the youth or choir ministries at First Baptist Church, Jesup, P.O. Box 1115, Jesup, GA 31598 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Tommy Clyde Chavis
Darien—Tommy Clyde Chavis, 46, died May 6, 2022, at home.
A resident of Darien for the past two years and a longtime resident of Jesup, he was born on Jan. 24, 1976, in Vidalia to the late Willie and Marian Sue Chavis. He graduated in the Toombs County High Class of 1994, and although he studied auto body repair in college, his natural talents were in woodworking. He was an artist with wood and a master woodworker. He loved fixing and building things. In his spare time, he enjoyed building model cars and drawing.
Survivors include his children, Silas Ezekiel “Zeke” Chavis, and his wife, Kaitlyn, of Jesup, Zoa Abigale Chavis of Jesup, Zethan Thomas Anderson of Jesup and Isaiah Chavis of Manchester, Tennessee; his fiancé, Taralin Caton of Darien; a sister, Teri Warnock, and her husband, David, of Jesup; a grandchild, Everly Grace Chavis; two stepchildren, Kristina Ochsenbien and Travis Minick, both of Texas; a nephew, Kristopher Warnock, and his wife, Meagan, and children, Kristopher Jr., Lucy and Robbie; another nephew, Dakota Warnock, and his fiancé, Kattie Perkins, and daughter, Layla; a niece, MeKylee Warnock; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
A memorial service was held May 10, 2022, at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to help the family with funeral expenses.
Howard-Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth Wesley Tanner
Jesup—Kenneth Wesley Tanner, 61, affectionately known as “Ken” or “Kenny,” died May 5, 2022, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
A resident of Jesup for the past 20 years, he was born Aug. 23, 1960, in Bacon County to the late John Wesley Tanner and Annie Taylor Tanner. After graduation, he served his country in the U.S. Army before returning home, where he worked in construction for most of his life. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed working on building projects around the house and sitting on the porch, “taking it easy.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jonah Tanner, and his brothers John, Larry and Chester Tanner.
Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Kathy Tanner of Jesup; one daughter, Kasey Tanner of Jesup; a brother, Tony Tanner, and his wife, Tish,a of Jesup; four sisters, Gail Nipper, and her husband, Larry Johnson, of Blackshear, Mary Wilbur and her husband, Francis, of Darien, Joanne Wasdin and her husband, Eddie, of Blackshear and Wandell Chancey and her husband, Stanley, of Waycross; a grandchild, Natalie Tanner; and a sister-in-law, Belinda Tanner of Jesup; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Memorial services were held May 9, 2022, at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup.
Howard-Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dr. William Diehl Turner Sr.
Jesup—Dr. William Diehl Turner Sr., 75, died May 2, 2022, at St. Joseph’s/ Candler in Savannah.
Born in Plant City, Florida, he began his ministry in the early 1970s, singing in gospel quartets. After being ordained in his 20s, he served churches in Florida, Puerto Rico and Georgia. Most of his ministry was served in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, at Borinquen Baptist Church and as headmaster of Carib Christian School. After retiring to Georgia, he served as interim pastor at several churches, the last three years at Townsend Baptist Church, and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Jesup.
Survivors are his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Turner of Jesup; a daughter, Celina Crawford, and her husband, Don, of Jesup; sons and a daugher-in-law, William Turner Jr. and Chris Amy Turner of Jesup; sisters, Linda, Jan, Denise and Kim; brothers, Jim, Mike and Don; grandchildren, Kayla, Kasey, Daniel, Jared, Spencer, Aiyana, and Adeline; and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-life services were May 6 at Calvary Baptist Church in Jesup with the Rev. Vann Dempsey and the Rev. Chris Turner officiating.
Remembrances to Georgia Baptist Foundation at www.guidestone.org/Mission-Dignity are suggested.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici was in charge of arrangements.
Tony C. Waters,
Jesup—Tony C. Waters, 59, of Jesup died May 4, 2022.
A native and childhood resident of Baxley, he had lived in Wayne County all of his adult life and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Ludowici. He shared his talent of playing the piano with numerous churches in several counties. He was always willing to play for funerals and any activities that glorified God. Cooking and watching cooking shows were favorite pastimes.
He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Tracy and Timmy Waters.
Survivors are his parents, the Rev. Dennie and Janie Waters of Jesup; his sister, Tammy Waters of Jesup; an uncle, Ralph (Carolyn) Waters of Baxley; an aunt, Jackie Waters of Martinez; and numerous cousins.
Funeral services were May 6, 2022, at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Benji McReady and the Rev. Fred Anderson officiating. Interment followed in Red Oak Cemetery in Baxley. Active pallbearers were family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 602, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of arrangements.
Dennis Walter “Dub” Herrin
Jesup—Dennis Walter “Dub” Herrin, 78, of Jesup died May 8, 2022.
An Appling County native, he had lived in Wayne County most of his life and was a former employee of Paul Krebs Construction Company. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, growing vegetables and working in his yard.
He was predeceased by a brother, Leroy Herrin.
Survivors are his wife of 57 years, Mammie “Joey” Chancey Herrin of Jesup; three sons, Stephen, Richard and Robert Herrin, all of Jesup; two sisters, Eula Lee Barwick of Jesup and Kathryn (Mickey) Denison of Odum; two brothers, David (Mary Ellen) Herrin of Odum and Lamorris (Leola) Herrin of Jesup; 4 grandchildren, Josh, Brett, and Joseph Herrin and Kaysi Baucom; and great-grandchildren, Haylen Baucom and Heath, Kathryn and Privet Herrin.
Graveside funeral services were held May 11, 2022, from New Hope Cemetery with the Rev. Jimmy Lord officiating. Active pallbearers were family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of arrangements.
Retha “Nippy” Barton
Jesup—Retha “Nippy” Barton, 85, of Jesup died May 8, 2022.
A Florida native, she had lived in Wayne County all of her adult life and was a charter member of Crossroads Church of God. Her career began with selling local newspapers, and then she went on to factory work. She cooked for nursing home patients on Orange Street for many years. In her spare time, she enjoyed fishing, gardening and attending church, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends. Her fur baby, “Daisy” was a prized pet.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Barton; three sisters, Carolyn Owens, Ila Manning and Lulu Greene; and a brother, Dan Johns.
Survivors are four daughters, Anita (Ken) Davis, Nelida Sinclair, Frances Dick and Treda (Harold) Hodges; four sons, Steve (Wanda) Barton, David Barton, Bill (Shelia) Barton and Jody (Kelly) Barton; 20 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Corine Johns and Christine Willis; and three brothers, Willie (Mary) Johns, Wilson Johns and Herman (Shelba) Johns.
Funeral services were May 11, 2022, at Crossroads Church of God with the Rev. Hulet Smith and pastor Brandon Stone officiating. Interment followed in inecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers were her Sunday school class members.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of arrangements.