Rinehart & Sons
Jean Holland Hires
Jesup—Jean Holland Hires, 81, died peacefully at her home in Jesup on Aug. 26, 2022.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, she was born on Sept. 14, 1940. She grew up “in the country” around her large family of friends. She was shy and inquisitive and loved to read books. She graduated class valedictorian in 1958.
Married 60 years to Albert Hires, she was most happy being at home around her family. She tended a vegetable garden for many years and she enjoyed planting pretty flowers. She was a Southern cook and a home-made-bread baker, and enjoyed family gatherings and church committee service. She had her tennis favorites and read the weekly newspapers, and her Bible was well-worn, as she leaned heavily on her faith
She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist and loved her Sunday school class. She retired as county clerk and was a member of the Garden Club.
She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Victor Albert Hires; a sister, Sandra Holland O’Quinn; and parents, Roy and Beulah Lewis Holland.
Survivors include her husband, Albert Cluese Hires Jr. of Jesup; a daughter, Deidra Hires (Carlos) Picon of Charlotte, North Carolina; grandsons, Lucas and Christian Picon of Charlotte; a granddaughter, Ashlyn Victoria Hires of Odum; a brother, Donald (Alda) Holland of Jesup; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held Aug. 31 at Calvary Baptist Church in Jesup with the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating. Interment followed in Bethesda Cemetery with family serving as active pallbearers, Alfred Holland, Greg O’Quinn, Don Landon and Derek Landon.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Minnie Jo Nordberg
Jesup—Minnie Jo Nordberg, 88, of Jesup died Aug. 22, 2022.
The Randolph County, Alabama native had been a resident of Wayne County most of her adult life. She was a retired seamstress supervisor for Fashion Apparel.
She was predeceased by her husband, Arvin Nordberg, and two sons, Timmy and James Nordberg.
Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Landon of Jesup; grandchildren, Sandy Jones, Julie (Justin) Purcell and Rebecca (Travis) Brantley, all of Jesup; great-grandchildren, Lakelyn Brantley, Paul Purcell, Silas Brantley, Tyler Gran-tham and Brooklyn Brantley; a sister, Nell Horton of Jesup; and a brother, Lavelle Morris of Roanoke, Alabama.
Graveside funeral services were held Aug. 25 from Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Devin Mixon officiating. Honorary pallbearers were the staff of Wayne County Community Home Health and the Hospice of South Georgia.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Howard-Jones
Clarence Eugene Ryals
Jesup—Clarence Eugene Ryals, 77, affectionately known as “Gene” or “Shyster,” died Aug. 24, 2022, at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
He was born on Dec. 4, 1944, in Wayne County to the late Frank and Willa Mae Horton Ryals. He graduated from Jesup High School in 1963 and served his country in the United States Army for several years before returning home, where he worked as a roofer for a short time before taking a job at Interstate Paper. He worked there until 1980, when he went into business for himself. He operated Gene’s Welding and Fabrication until his retirement about 10 years ago.
He was a member of Victory Tabernacle since 1970, and when he wasn’t working, he loved camping; hunting, especially dog hunting, and fishing. He and his family practically lived in the woods on the weekends. He hunted in the woods all over Southeast Georgia and was a member of numerous hunting clubs, the most recent being the Back Swamp Hunting Club in Ludowici, where he had been the president for many years.
His love of hunting was second to his love of God and his family, especially his grandchildren, his family said.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Edna “Red” Carr, Ruth Ryals, Donald Ryals, Earl Ryals, Mary Hill, Robert Ryals, Loraine Pugliano and Leroy Ryals.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Jewel Ryals of Jesup; two sons, Reuben Eugene Ryals of Tennessee and Michael D. (Christine) Ryals of Jesup; grandchildren, Crystal R. (Robbie) Rush of Ludowici, Hanna M. (Johnny) Rogers, Stephen P. (Lawanda) Ryals, Laura Mikayla Ryals, Michael Kimberly Ryals and Michael David (Morgan) Ryals, all of Jesup, Brittany Landon of Nashville and Shanna Smith of Midway; and great-grandchildren, Blake, Hope, Nathaniel, Tanner, Saxton, Janalei, Jayden, Brayden, Bayleigh, Michael, III, Aria and Madison. Freddy and Kathy Carr and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other extended-family members and friends including Jimbo Yarbrough, who was like a son for the past 40 years, and his family, and Ralph Nettles and his buddies from the hunting club, including, Eddie and Jeanine, Donald, Julio, Ed, Richard and Louise, and Michelle.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Lucille Driggers Gill
Fernandina Beach, Florida—Mary Lucille Driggers Gill, 82, died peacefully on Aug. 27, 2022, at Fernandina Beach Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
She was born on Nov. 2, 1939 in Screven to the late J.H. and Lucile Powers Driggers. She spent most of her life in Jacksonville, Florida, where she graduated from Paxon High School. She worked as a bookkeeper while raising her family and helping her late husband run a paper route for the Florida Times-Union.
After retirement, the couple moved to Screven for a short time before relocating to Folkston more than 30 years ago. She was a loving and gracious daughter, wife, sister, mother and grandmother who enjoyed shopping, working puzzles and reading the Bible, according to her family. She loved yard sales, traveling and cruises, and she devoted herself to her family and taught them the principles of honesty and love by her actions. She truly loved Jesus, and she practiced the Christian faith daily by participating in daily devotions with her family, the family said.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Lamar Gill; a son-in-law, Robert Smith Sr.; and a grandson, Robert Smith Jr.
Survivors include her daughter, Peggy Sue Smith of Yulee, Florida; son, James Kenneth (Ellen) Gill of Brooklet; three grandchildren, James Kenneth Gill Jr., Christina (William) Crews and Christopher Shawn Smith; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Carol Senterfitt of Jacksonville, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Graveside funeral services were held Aug. 31 in Screven City Cemetery with Pastor Dave Malmberg officiating.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Trudie Huff
Jesup—Trudie Huff, 79, died Aug. 28, 2022, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia with her devoted husband by her side.
She was born on Oct. 9, 1942 on John’s Island, South Carolina, to the late George and Zadie Ellis. She resided in Ravenel, South Carolina, for many years before relocating to Folkston and later to Jesup, where she has lived for the past 16 years.
She was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Jesup for many years. In her spare time, she loved sewing, quilting and cooking for her family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two sisters, Zadie Ellen Hoggard and Brenda Ellis.
Survivors include her husband of 36 years, Tommy Huff of Jesup; two children, Taffie Caddell and Harold “Butch” Caddell, both of Ravenel, South Carolina; two stepsons, Ray (Cindy) Huff of Metter and David Huff of Toccoa; one stepdaughter, Lynette Smith; two brothers, Roy Ellis of California and George (Dottie) Ellis of South Carolina; four grandchildren, Rosemary Huff, Sarah Beth Huff, Emily Huff and Chris Kight; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held Aug. 31 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating.
Interment followed in Sunset Oaks Cemetery with family and friends serving as active pallbearers.
Interment followed in Sunset Oaks Cemetery with family and friends serving as active pallbearers.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.