William Irvin Stipe
Jesup—William Irvin Stipe, 81, of Jesup died Nov. 27, 2023, under the care of Georgia Hospice Care.
Lovingly referred to as “Bill,” “Papa Bill” or “Pork Chop,” the Appling County native had lived in Wayne County most of his adult life. He was a Christian and an Air Force National Guard veteran. For many years, he was the owner and operator of Altamaha Oil Company Inc. and Wayne Car Wash. He served on the board of directors of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, and he served as Exhalted Ruler of the Jesup Elks Lodge. He served as chairman of the celebration of Wayne County’s 175th year and completed 15 active years in the Jesup Jaycees.
He enjoyed all sports, especially golf, having won numerous trophies in amateur golf tournaments in Southeast Georgia.
“Papa Bill” enjoyed all of his grandchildren in so many ways.
He was predeceased by his parents, Everett and Maude Morgan Stipe; a son, Joey D. Richardson; and two brothers, Dan and Jimmy Stipe.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Ronda Hodges Stipe of Jesup; a daughter, Leisa (Dave) Forman of Cumming; a son, Billy (Amy) Stipe of Jesup; a brother, Charles Ray (Beckie) Stipe of Baxley; grandchildren, Madalynn, Blake and Abel Stipe, Emilie and Eli Forman, Tim and Brent Richardson; great-grandchildren, Charli, Jorah and Jolynn Richardson; and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-life services were held Nov. 30 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Brooks Haddock and Bob Morgan officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Jesup Elks Lodge, Jesup Jaycees, Pond House Group and staff of Cotton Grove Estates.
Memorials may be made to Jesup First Baptist Church, 185 S. Brunswick Street, Jesup, GA 31546.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Bonnie Fay Collipp
Jesup—Bonnie Fay Collipp, 87, of Jesup died Nov. 21, 2023.
The Pennsylvania native had lived in Wayne County the past 37 years. She loved her Lord and Savior and was a member of Jesup Presbyterian Church. She was a Sunday school teacher and choir member, also served as an elder and deacon, and enjoyed working with the youth.
In her working life, she was a registered nurse, working with her husband’s pediatric practice in Jesup. Formerly, she was a hospice supervisor in Suffolk County, Long Island, for 50 employees.
She enjoyed hobbies and sports such as tennis with her husband and family. She served as a Cub Scout den mother and PTA president, but the highlight of her life was helping to develop a Christian program for teenage children off the coast of Maine.
She also served as a member of the Republican National Committee the Presidential Advisory Board and was a certified water safety instructor and enjoyed teaching children to swim.
Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Jack Collipp of Jesup; three sons, Dan (Kristi) Collipp of Jesup, Tom (Olga) Collipp of Chalfont, Pennsylvania, and David (Suzanne) Collipp of Pearl, Mississippi; siblings who survive of the 18 total from the same parents, including a sister, Anna Wilson, and brothers, Sam, Ted and Mike Lau; nine grandchildren, Rebekah, Peter, Naomi, Chloe, Annie, Lydia, Leah, Isabella and Sam; and three great-grandchildren, Hannah, Phillip and Penny.
Memorial services will be held by the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jesup Presbyterian Church, 297 South Brunswick Street, Jesup, GA 31546.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kristie Amanda Batten
Jesup—Kristie Amanda Batten, 32, of Jesup died Dec. 8, 2023.
The Wayne County native worked for many years in several businesses and enjoyed life with bright colors and glitzy attire.
She was preceded in death by her father, Casey Elias Batten; and maternal grandfather, Derrell Burkhalter.
Survivors include her children, Kaden, Nathaniel and Kaleem Black and Kira and Kian Thomas, and their father, Dominique Thomas, all of Jesup; her mother, Terry Batten of Jesup; a brother, Casey Batten of Jesup; a sister, Jodi (Phillip) Talerano of Jesup; and her maternal grandmother, Margot Burkhalter of Jesup.
Graveside funeral services were held Dec. 11 in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with Mary Dick officiating.
The family received friends at the cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Richard Ross Jr.
Jesup—Richard Ross Jr., 39, of Jesup died July 17, 2023.
The Jeff Davis County native had lived in Wayne County all of his life. He was a former manager for Mr. Cash Pawn Store in Glennville and lately worked in the water department for the City of Jesup.
The lifelong learner loved to study archeology, world issues and technology. He loved to tinker with almost anything. His sense of humor made him very popular with his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Carl Ross Sr.; and his grandparents, Otis and Meta Harter and Scott Ross.
Survivors include his mother, Lynn Ross of Jesup; three sisters, Christa (Aaron) Heffley of Ludowici, Shanda (Adam) Pastor of New Port Beach, California, and Michelle (John) Stacy of Moncks Corner, South Carolina; four nieces; five nephews; and a very special friend and companion, Francesca Rao of Glenn-ville.
A combined memorial service honoring him and his mother, Wanda Lynette “Lyn” Ross, was held Dec. 10 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Wanda Lynette Ross
Jesup—Wanda Lynette “Lyn” Ross, 69, of Jesup, died from a recently diagnosed advanced cancer on Dec. 6, 2023, under the care of Hospice of Southeast Georgia and her family.
The Jackson, Mississippi, native lived in Joliet, Illinois, during early childhood and then in Rhonert Park, California, from the age of 10. After graduating high school in 1972, she moved to Georgia.
She humorously reflected on the shock of going from the California valley to the Deep South and straight to a farm, having to quickly learn a new way of life, all the while becoming a new mother to her oldest daughter, Michelle. She had a passion for music and singing which she inherited from her father, and one of her prized possessions was a lap steel guitar that he built for her not long before his passing. She was an avid reader and loved writing poems and drawing. She loved thrifting and collecting unique items, especially worldly things that you wouldn’t find here.
She was profoundly kind and truly had a servant’s heart, often putting the needs of others ahead of her own. She was very witty, sharp as a tack, and loved to laugh. She could hold the best conversations about things going on in the world and always had the wisest answers to life questions from her children.
She was considered an excellent mother, a stickler for manners, and the strongest woman her children will ever know. For nearly 36 years, she worked for the Reynolds family at Reynolds Construction, now known as Dixieland Acquisitions, and was very proud of her tenure with them and very dedicated to her work.
She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth “Dusty” Nall; her mother, Wanda Joyce Vandevender; her best friend and father of her two youngest children, Richard Carl Ross Sr., in July; her son, Richard Carl Ross Jr.; and twin sisters, Arlene Myers and Darlene Fried.
Survivors include her daughters, Michelle (John) Stacy of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, and Christa (Aaron) Heffley of Ludowici; a stepdaughter, Shanda (Adam) Pastor of Newport Beach, California; an honorary brother, Jimmie (Geri) Reynolds and their family; sisters, Terri Harvey, Lisa Metcalf, Caroline Portlock, Karen Nall and Mary Bivens; nine grandchildren whom she loved dearly; her beloved little dog, “P.P.;” and a host of other family and friends.
Owing to the passing of both mother and son so close together, a memorial service honoring both of them was held on Dec. 10 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating.
The family would like to extend its gratitude to hospice nurses Rhonda Stuckey, Hannah and Destiny; Dr. James Hula; and nurses of the fifth surgical floor of Southeast Georgia Health Systems Brunswick Campus.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sylas Parker Kirkum
Screven—Sylas Parker Kirkum, 2, of Screven died Dec. 4, 2023.
He was the son of James and Samantha Kirkum. He loved trucks, balls, and riding with Pawpaw on the golf cart and spending time with Mimi.
Survivors other than his parents include two brothers, David Ponville and Hunter Teppenpaw, both of Screven; a sister, Temperance Kirkum of Michigan; his maternal grandfather, Bryon Long of Screven; his maternal grandmother, Terri Long of Jesup; his paternal grandmother, Corenna Smith of Ohio; aunts, Deanna Long of Atlanta, Erin Long of Valdosta and Breanna Kirkum of Michigan; and several other family members.
Graveside funeral services were held Dec. 7 in Screven City Cemetery with the Rev. Mark Ledbetter officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Nell “Dot” Dent Thompson
Jesup—Dorothy Nell “Dot” Dent Thompson, 94, of Jesup died Dec. 9, 2023.
The Wayne County native was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and the Senior Adult Women’s Sunday School Class.
She was a 1946 Jesup High School graduate, three-year basketball letterman and 1945-1946 team captain and was named to the Eighth District All-Tournament Team for those years. She was also the Eighth District girls tennis champion and state runner-up for 1945.
Her love for softball started when she was the original member of the Jesup Softball League in 1946. She played and coached recreation softball for more than 30 years. The Jesup Bowling League named her champion in 1962. She was inducted into the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
After serving 32 ½ years as Wayne County Courtroom bailiff, she knew almost everyone locally. After retirement, she volunteered as a Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary member for more than 20 years. Eastern Star was very important in her 50 years of membership.
In her pastimes she enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing and women’s softball for 37 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, James Richard “J.R.” Thompson; her daughter, Kim Thompson; grandchildren, Richard Allen Hires and Davida Michelle Thompson; parents, Willie Gordon and Cleta Yeomans Dent; sisters, Marjorie Dent and Eloise Peggy (Uhland) Harvey; and brothers, Willie Gordon (Connie) Dent Jr. and David Earl (Dot) Dent.
Survivors include two daughters, Ricki Thompson of Jesup and Joy (Bill) Mercer of Shellman Bluff; two sons, Larry (Anne) Thompson of Statesboro and Mickey (Wanda) Thompson of Jesup; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held Dec. 12 at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Pete Boyd and the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her grandsons, Rusty Thompson, Kelly Thompson, Jay and Travis Hires, Josh Thompson, Troy Mercer, Quint and Brandon Collins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 9, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ethel Ann West Flowers
Jesup—Ethel Ann West Flowers, 78, died Dec. 2, 2023.
She was known as a special lady who brought love to all the people around her. Her family wants all to remember all the happy moments she shared with us.
“Her journey was filled with love and sadness. She was born to David and Bernice West, and she is now reunited with them in Heaven. She also joined her son, David E. Medders, and her granddaughter, Victoria A. Riley, who were waiting for her with open arms. While we miss them, we know they are together in a better place,” her family said.
She leaves behind her daughter, Lisa Medders; five siblings; a big family of grandchildren, Angelo, Lorenzo, Kayla, Sarah, Sandi, Christopher, Kristie, Marisa and Raymond; 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
She loved her family, and her love will always be with them, her family said.
She had a big heart and loved the Lord. She found joy in singing and was always ready to help others. She didn’t care about fancy things; instead, she valued the little things that made life special. Throughout her life, she faced tough times but kept going with strength and courage. After growing up in Jesup, she later moved around as a military wife for more than 20 years. She put her dreams on hold to be a wife, mother and caretaker to many. She was not just a good mom and grandma; she was also a dear friend to many. Her daughter, Lisa, always thought she missed her calling in life because she was so funny and quick-witted.
She loved butterflies, and she enjoyed watching monkeys on social media. “She’s now in Heaven, where she wanted to be. She would want us to celebrate her life and remember the good times we shared,” her family said. Her favorite song was “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and she would often walk around singing it. “Let’s remember her with smiles and joy in our hearts, knowing that she’s at peace. May she rest in eternal happiness,” her family said.
A celebration-of-life service was held Dec. 12 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home with the Rev. Troy Sheppard officiating.
Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family said she would have wanted to support her daughter’s foundation in honor of her granddaughter, Tori Riley, who lost her battle to colon cancer at the young age of 26. Visit the website to learn more at www.teamtorifoundation.com. All donations are tax-deductible.
Howard-Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Carol Ann Sopiwnik Hopkins
Jesup—Carol Ann Sopiwnik Hopkins, 57, died suddenly on Dec. 10, 2023, at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup.
She was born on Aug. 2, 1966, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, seventh child of nine, to the late John Sopiwnik and Carolyn Elizabeth Harrison-Jent. She spent her early years in Los Lunas, New Mexico, and moved around quite frequently with her family, also living in Utah and California, where she met and married the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Larry Gene Hopkins. Their first date was on Valentines Day of 1982.
As a military family, they continued relocating every few years as his job required until the couple settled in Green Cove Springs, Florida, after his retirement in 2001, where she worked as a strategic sourcing specialist for Medtronic.
In 2019 the couple again relocated, this time to Smith River, California, for four years before purchasing a recreational vehicle and heading out to travel across the United States bringing them to Jesup.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, wife, daughter and sister. She was motherly and caring by nature, and she lived life to the fullest. Friends and family were always welcome in her home, and she looked for any opportunity to help someone in need.
She was artistic, vibrant and full of life. In addition to traveling, she loved dancing, crafting, listening to music, reading and writing, with dreams of finishing her own novel. She and her husband enjoyed watching NASCAR and football live or on television, enjoyed cruises to see the world, and spending time with the ones most precious to them, especially their grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her infant grandson, Carson Keith Webster; and her brothers, John, Joe and Jesse Sopiwnik.
Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Larry Gene Hopkins of Jesup; two daughters, Patricia Elaine Hopkins-Mattson of Orange Park, Florida, and Carolyn Renee (Stephen) Webster of Fernandina Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Kathryn Elizabeth Mattson, Robert Darrell Mattson, Nathan James Webster, Jacob Alexander Webster and Riley Joseph Webster; one brother, Jerry Sopiwnik; four sisters, Katherine “Kitty” (Barry) Bittner and Bonnie, Lisa, and Tammy Sopiwnik; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Betty Jane Haines
Odum—Betty Jane Haines, 92, died Dec. 7, 2023, in Jesup.
Born in Miami, Florida, she lived in Key Largo, Florida, most of her life, relocating to Odum in 2001. She was a retired administrative assistant with Burdines Department Store in Miami and was a homemaker.
After moving to Wayne County, she volunteered with the Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for several years. She was a member of Piney Grove Church of God.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. “Buddy” Carter.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Ronnie (Charlotte) Carter and Greg (Renee) Carter of Odum; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Dec. 9 at the Howard Funeral Home with the Rev. Jimmy Lord and the Rev. David Hubbs officiating. Burial followed in the Piney Grove Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Michael Carter, Ronnie Carter, Gregory Carter, Chase Stutz, Billy Price, and David Forbes.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici.
Chris Allen Jefferson
Jesup—Chris Allen Jefferson, 64, died Dec. 7, 2023.
He was born May 3, 1959.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Linda Jefferson of Jesup
He is survived by siblings, Thomas (Yvonne) Jefferson, Sandra Jefferson, Patricia Jefferson and Robert Jefferson; and several nieces and nephews
A celebration-of-life life service will be held Saturday, Dec 16, at 3 p.m. at his home at 424 Salem St. in Jesup.