Obituaries

2.5.26

• Rinehart & Sons   Sarah Rinehart Geiger Odum—Sarah Rinehart Geiger, 82, of Odum died Jan. 30, 2026, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia. The Wayne County native and resident was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and the Joy Sunday School Class.

1.29.26

• Howard and Jones   Juana Hurst Grover Jesup—Juana Hurst Grover, 83, died peacefully on Jan. 22, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah after a short illness. Born on Sept. 11, 1942, in Cairo, she was the daughter of the late Ezra and Dorothy Johns Hurst.

1.22.26

• Howard & Jones   Norma Louise O’Quinn Poppell Odum—Norma Louise O’Quinn Poppell, 87, died peacefully on Jan. 16, 2026, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia at Harborview Health System Jesup after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease with Lewy body dementia.

1.15.26

• Howard & Jones Sadie Mae Raulerson Jesup—Sadie Mae Raulerson, 101, died Jan. 5, 2026, after a short illness. She was born in Wayne County on Jan. 31, 1924, to the late Steve J. and Leah Truett Mixon.

1.8.26

• Howard & Jones   Avalene Beasley Cooper Jesup—Avalene Beasley Cooper, 71, died peacefully at home on Dec. 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving family under the care of Hospice of South Georgia. She was born on Dec. 9, 1954 in Jesup to the late Guyton Beasley and A. Lucille Driggers Beasley.

1.1.26

• Rinehart & Sons   Betty Stanfield Murphy Jesup—Betty Stanfield Murphy, 94, of Jesup died Dec. 27, 2025, in the Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient Unit.

12.25.25

• Howard   Mikki Hazel Harris Jesup—Mikki Hazel Harris, 3, died Dec. 17, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her family and under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.

12.18.25

• Howard & Jones   Rodney Alvin Tyre Sr. Jesup—Rodney Alvin Tyre Sr., 68, affectionately known by his initials “RAT,” died peacefully on Dec. 13, 2025, at Altamaha Health and Rehabilitation after a lengthy illness. He was born on Aug.

12-11-25

• Rinehart & Sons   Maxine Beck Barwick Jesup—Maxine Beck Barwick, 85, of Jesup died Dec. 2, 2025. The Appling County native had lived in Wayne County for most of her life and was a member of Jesup Church of God, where she provided piano and organ accompaniment for many years.

12-4-25

• Rinehart & Sons   Kathleen Griffis Purcell Jesup—Kathleen Griffis Purcell, 92, of Jesup died Nov. 23, 2025. The Wayne County native was a member of Altamaha Baptist Church and was a former AVON sales lady. She was most known for her chocolate layer cakes and coconut cakes.