Obituaries

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.

9.11.25

• Howard & Jones   Ethan Benjamin Salazar Jesup—Ethan Benjamin Salazar, 20, died peacefully on Sept. 7, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous  battle with cancer. A resident of Jesup for most of his life, he was born on July 23, 2005, in Hollywood, Florida.

9.4.25

• Rinehart & Sons   James “Twyman” Vickers Jesup—James “Twyman” Vickers, 78, of Jesup died Aug. 28, 2025. The Alma native had lived most of his adult life in Wayne County and was a member and deacon of Anderson Drive Baptist.

8.28.25

• Rinehart & Sons Henry “Grady” Marr Jesup—Henry “Grady” Marr, 80, died Aug. 20, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family and the care of Hospice of South Georgia. He was a U.S. Army veteran who worked many years at Rayonier in the machine room.

8.21.25

• Rinehart & Sons   Dr. Derrell Rentz Jesup—Dr. Derrell Rentz, 83, of Jesup died Aug. 14, 2025 under the care of Hospice of South Georgia. The Duval County, Florida, native and U.S. Air Force veteran had lived in Wayne County since 2002.

8.14.25

• Rinehart & Sons   Kenneth R. “Skip” Grantham Jesup—Kenneth R. “Skip” Grantham, 78, of Jesup died Aug. 7, 2025. The Wayne County native was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He was a retired Civil Service employee and an Army National Guard and U.S.