Howard-Jones
Mary Meyer Ballard
Jesup—Mary Meyer Ballard, 70, died June 25, 2022 at St. Vincent’s Riverside Campus in Jacksonville, Florida, under the care of Community Hospice and Palliative Care.
A resident of Jesup for more than 30 years, she was born on Oct. 7, 1951, to the late John Hurley and Alice Funk Meyer.
She met and married the love of her life, her husband of 53 years and childhood sweetheart, the late, Russell Paul Ballard Jr., in elementary school. The two were married at a young age and, shortly after, began a family. She enjoyed shopping and gardening in her spare time, but more than anything else, she enjoyed caring for the ones she loved, including a host of cats and dogs over the years.
In addition to her parents and husband, her daughter, Christina Marie Ballard, preceded her in death.
Survivors include one son, Russell Paul (Amy) Ballard III of Rineyville, Kentucky; two daughters, Kimberly Ann Green and Melissa Gail Ballard, both of Jesup; grandchildren, Jared Mattocks, Christopher Ballard, Bryce Ballard, Thomas Jernigan, Valerie Green, Melissa Greene and Joshua Dean; great-grandchildren, Beau Jernigan, Amir Jackson and Adelina, Jojo and Arthur Ballard; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Interment will be private.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of arrangements.
Joseph Benjamin “J.B.” Davis Sr.
Patterson—Joseph Benjamin “J.B.” Davis Sr., 89, died on June 25, 2022, at Satilla Hospice in Waycross after a lengthy illness.
A native and lifelong resident of Pierce County, he was born on March 15, 1933, to the late John Madison and Mabel Moody Davis. His work ethic was second to none. He worked hard his entire life as a farmer and machinist, and he instilled the value of hard work in his children and grandchildren. He was a lifelong member of the Offerman Baptist Church, where he served as song leader for nearly 10 years.
He was truly blessed with musical talent and could play nearly any stringed instrument, his family said. His favorite was the banjo, and he was proud of his collection of musical instruments. He played with several bands over the years and always enjoyed playing music with his friends on Friday nights when they could get together.
He also enjoyed fishing and trying hard to “out- fish” his late wife of more than 70 years, Geraldine Perkins Davis.
In addition to his parents, and wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Jerry Davis; sisters, Geraldine Davis, Mary Elizabeth Moody and Dulia Ogle; and his son-in-law, John Boyd.
Survivors include his children, Diane (Randy) Crawford of Patterson, Juanita (Jack) Tyre of Offerman, Benjy (Roxanne) Davis of Patterson and Lyndell Davis and fiancé Shane Vickery, of Offerman; 16 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and a large extended family including a host of nieces, nephews, cousins.
Funeral services were held June 29 at Offerman Baptist Church with the Rev. James Lightsey, the Rev. Andy Gillis and the Rev. Adam Walker officiating.
Interment followed in Offerman Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jerry David Davis Jr., Michael Davis, Joseph Brandon Davis, Nathan Ray Davis, John Davis, Jeffrey Davis and Ross Byrd.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Bill Robert Stephens
Jesup—Bill Robert Stephens, 74, died at home on June 22, 2022.
A resident of Wayne County for most of his life, he was born on Feb. 15, 1948, in Jesup to the late Peter and Arizona Brinkley Steph-ens.
After high school, he served his country in the U.S. Navy for several years before beginning a career as a truck driver, where he traveled all over the country, even living in Toronto, Canada, for almost 10 years. He worked for several different trucking companies over the years, including McKenzie Tank Lines, National Carriers and Stephens Trucking.
He was never known to be in a hurry, and in his spare time, he enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and collecting.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Retta Hambrick, Colvin Stephens, Geneva Lamb, Marie Moxley, Theron Stephens, Wayne Stephens, Albert Stephens, Ola Stallings and Dale Gordon.
Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Theona Harris Stephens of Jesup; sons, Robbie (Chantel) Stephens of Ellijay and Paul (Tina) Stephens of Jesup; a sister, Alice Miller; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held on June 26 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Brother David Schertell officiating.
Interment was private.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rinehart & Sons
Glenn Edward Griffis
Jesup—Glenn Edward Griffis, 84, died on the morning of June 26, 2022 in his home surrounded by his family after an extended illness.
He was a lifelong resident of Wayne County and was an Air Force veteran. He was baptized into the Baptist faith and later converted to the Pentecostal faith. He attended Grace Assembly of God Church and raised his children in a loving manner, instilling Christian virtues, his family said.
During his lifetime, he owned and operated Glenn Griffis Masonry Company, Country Radio and was a farmer since practically birth. He enjoyed both growing a garden for his family as well as crops for his many horses, cows, hogs and chickens.
He was on the Board of the ASCS Office, the president of the CB Club and a member of the Wayne County Young Farmers Association.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, cooking out, camping, traveling, attending car races and riding his side-by-side, golf cart and three-wheeler. He loved to hunt and grow food plots for the deer and other wildlife.
In his younger days, he loved drag racing and enjoyed driving fast and admired well-built fast cars. He displayed many trophies of his hobbies in his home, was always known as a hard worker, and exhibited excellent work ethic on every job or task he encountered, his family said.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Bonnie Murray Griffis; three sisters; a brother; and his wife, Pauline Olsen Griffis.
Survivors include his loving wife, Lois Griffis; daughters, Sharon Lane, Michelle Jenkins and Jennifer Rue, all of Jesup; a stepdaughter, Terry Lynn (John) Moore of Hahira; grandchildren, Robbie Lee Rue, Allie Fledderman, Andrew Fledderman, Ashton Jenkins, Caleb Jenkins, Wesley Smith, Mia Wells, Nita Morey, Lindsey McGowan, Jordan King and Jada Mosley; numerous great-grandchildren; numerous great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry Griffis; and a sister, Reba Leggett.
Funeral services were held June 29 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mickey Tomberlin officiating. Interment with military honors was held at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were his grandsons.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Leroy Bradley
Jesup—Leroy Bradley, 70, of Jesup died June 24, 2022.
The Liberty County native was reared in the Gum Branch Community and was a 21-year U.S. Army veteran and U.S. Coast Guard veteran.
Survivors include his children, Leslie Bradley, David Bradley and Elisha Delray Trujillo; two sisters, Margaret Calhoun of Jesup and Mary Nell Pryor of Hinesville; and a brother, Bud Bradley of Hortense.
Memorial services will be held by his family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Jean “Dot” Lott Coleman
Jesup—Dorothy Jean “Dot” Lott Coleman, 89, of Jesup died June 24, 2022.
The Millen native had lived in Wayne County most of her adult life and was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, where she served in several capacities. She was retired from Charles Barr Accounting Services and went on to fulfill a 30-year career with Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was lovingly known as the “lady with the smile.”
Her favorite pastimes were camping and just enjoying her family.
Her husband, Charles L. Coleman, preceded her in death.
Survivors include a daughter, Debbie King of Jesup; a son, Greg (Debra) Coleman of Jesup; a brother, Billy Lott of Statesboro; a sister, Mary Jo Brannen of Statesboro; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration-of-life service was held June 27 at Rinehart Chapel with Vic Drawdy, Jill Blizzard and the Rev. Garth Duke-Barton officiating. Interment was in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family and friends. Honorary pallbearers were her fellow Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary members.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545 or Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, P.O. Box 487, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Edo-Miller
Ella Hunter Waters
Odum—Ella Hunter Waters of Odum died June 26, 2022.
She was formerly of Brunswick.
The funeral is set for today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Bobby Tatum officiating. The burial will follow the service in Brunswick Memorial Park Cemetery.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.