Obituaries

11.20.25

• Rinehart & Sons   Laurie Dudley Nichols Brunswick—Laurie Dudley Nichols, 46, of Brunswick died Nov. 15, 2025. The Wayne County native attended Unity Church of God and was a 1997 graduate of Wayne County High School.

11.13.25

• Rinehart & Sons   Lynette Ricks Vaughn Jesup—Lynette Ricks Vaughn, 97, of Jesup died Nov. 9, 2025. The Glynn County native and former resident had lived in Wayne County the past 22 years.

11.6.25

• Rinehart & Sons   Roy Purvis Jesup—Roy Purvis, 93, died Oct. 28, 2025. The Coffeeville, Alabama, native was born to William Leonard and Eva Huggins Purvis. He had five siblings, including a twin brother. He was sworn into U.S. Navy service as a fireman.

10.30.25

• Rinehart & Sons   Shirley Ann Smith Jesup—Shirley Ann Smith, 87, of Jesup died suddenly with her family by her side on Oct. 20, 2025. The Appling County native spent most of her life in Ludowici. She was a member of Elim Baptist Church.

10.23.25

• Rinehart & Sons   Sandra McCoy Rogers Jesup—Sandra “Sandy” McCoy Rogers, 74, of Jesup died on Oct. 15, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. The Indiana native lived a life filled with love, faith and service to others, her family said.

10.16.25

• Howard & Jones   Robert Baker Jesup—Robert Baker, 45, affectionately known by his family and friends as “Robbie,” died Oct. 12, 2025. A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born on July 20, 1980. He was a carpenter by trade.

10.9.25

• Rinehart & Sons   Jerryll Ann “Jerri” Guthrie Collins Jesup—Jerryll Ann “Jerri” Guthrie Collins, 82, of Jesup died peacefully Sept. 30, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She received the best of care from Hospice of South Georgia, her family said.

10.2.25

• Howard   Kenneth Eugene Grantham Jesup—Kenneth Eugene Grantham, 69, died Sept. 24, 2025, at Hospice of South Georgia IPU.  Born in Waycross, he lived in Wayne County most of his life. He was a painter and home remodeler who also enjoyed outdoor work and mowing.

9.25.25

• Howard & Jones   Rev. Matthew D. Williams Jesup—The Rev. Matthew D. Williams, 55, died suddenly on Sept. 17, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was born on Sept. 3, 1970 in Milledgeville to the late Sidney and Melinda Harden Williams.

9.18.25

• Howard & Jones   Earl Winston Purcell Jr. Jesup—Earl Winston Purcell Jr., 76, died peacefully on Sept. 10, 2025, at Hospice of South Georgia after an extended illness surrounded by his loving family. A resident of Wayne County for most of his life, he was born on Dec.