Roscoe Warren Purvis Jr.
Jesup—Roscoe Warren Purvis Jr., 77, died Dec. 1, 2022 at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia and his loving family.
He was born Jan. 4, 1945, in Jesup to the late Roscoe Warren Purvis Sr. and LaTrelle Greene Purvis.
A graduate of Jesup High School, Class of 1963, he was a four-year letterman in football and track. He was named to the Georgia All-state Team and played in the North-South Georgia All-star game. He received a full football scholarship to Mississippi State University, earning a starting position in his freshman year.
A year later, he returned home to marry the love of his life, Dinah Odom. Shortly afterwards, the couple moved to Kentucky to attend college. He earned another full scholarship to Morehead State University, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in education. He was a member of the 1966 Ohio Valley Championship team.
After graduation, he returned to South Georgia, where he taught school and coached high school football, eventually landing a head coaching position at Charlton County High School. He led the team to its first-ever region championship.
His work ethic was second to none. While in high school, he delivered groceries from his parents’ store and also worked in the family timber business in addition to his athletic accomplishments. He opened his Cotton States Insurance agency in 1973 and operated it for more than 30 years, until retirement in 2004. He is a member of the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame.
He had a huge heart and loved helping people. He was a former Wayne County commissioner and had served on the board of directors for the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Jesup, the Jesup Jaycees and the Wayne County Touchdown Club and was a lifelong member of the Jesup First United Methodist Church, where he attended the Drop-in Sunday School Class.
He was heavily involved in the Wayne County Productions version of the Hee Haw Show and The Jesup Jollies. He also coached recreation football.
In his spare time, he enjoyed saltwater fishing, bird hunting, cooking (especially barbecue) and entertaining friends. He will be fondly remembered for his generosity, quick wit and storytelling abilities, his family says.
In addition to his parents, his sisters, Dorothy Esser and Rita White, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Dinah Purvis of Jesup; daughter, Cynthia Purvis of McIntosh County; two brothers, Mike (Brenda) Purvis of Jesup and Fred (Joy) Purvis of Mansfield; brothers-in-law, Bob White of Monroe and Foster Odom of Savannah; two sisters-in-law, Sue Odom Tuten of Gardi and Linda Odom Phillips of Tybee Island; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear great-godchildren.
Funeral services were held Dec. 5 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rebecca Duke-Barton and the Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
Private interment services were held at Screven City Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Drop-in Sunday School Class of Jesup First United Methodist Church and the members of the graduating Class of 1963, Jesup High School.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Jesup First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Cherry St., Jesup, GA 31546 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dolores Dodie Hurley
Jesup—Dolores “Dodie” Hurley, 66, died suddenly on Nov. 22, 2022.
She was lovingly called “Dodie” by all who knew her. She was born in Batesville, Indiana on May 14, 1956, to Clyde “Bud” and Winnie (Anderson) Steele.
She was a simple person and lived a simple life. She enjoyed reading a good book, “hanging” with her friends and watching Hallmark and cooking channels, but mostly she enjoyed watching her two favorite football teams—the Indiana Hoosiers and the Cincinnati Bengals. She loved her sports
She moved to Sarasota, Florida, after her divorce and worked at Publix. While there, she met the love of her life, “Bobby.” Years later, she moved to Wayne County and worked at Harvey’s until she retired in 2018. She made a lot of friends while living and working in Wayne County.
She was predeceased by her loving parents and her brothers John Steele, Jeb Steele and Bobby Steele.
Survivors include her son, Ryan of Mobile, Alabama; her daughter, Lynna (Kyn) Hurley of Caple Coral, Florida; a brother, Vic (Mary K) Steele of Loudon, Tennessee; and a sister, Sally McMullen of Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
She dearly loved her grandchildren, Ava Grace, Tate, Gage, Harper Rose, Luke and Lane Hurley, all of Mobile, Alabama and Londa Eva of Cape Coral, Florida; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Dodie will be missed greatly, especially during football season by her family and friends.
Graveside services will be at a later date by her sister Sally McCullen in Lawrenceburg.
Frances Hudson
Toccoa—Frances Kay Powers Hudson, 75, of Oakwood Lane, Toccoa, died Nov. 27, 2022, at her residence.
A daughter of the late Lennon Edward Powers and Ruby Hazel Woodcock Powers, she was born June 28, 1947, in Jesup, where she lived for 20 years. She also lived in Gainesville for a number of years before moving to Toccoa.
She was an accountant for most her life, also having worked at Standard Register and Alltel. In her last years, she worked in home healthcare.
From a young age, she was a pianist and played in church. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Atlanta.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Donald Hudson in 2014; her parents-in-law, Eddie and Joan Hudson; two grandsons, Bryan C. Amaro and Joab D. Hudson; and a nephew, Raymond Clark Mensing III.
Survivors include her sister, Jan P. Mensing (Dr. Raymond C. Mensing Jr.) of Valdosta; her sons Michael Lennon Hudson of Toccoa and Chadwick Donald (Michelle) Hudson of Toccoa; daughters, Candice Kay (Tim) Hilton of Jefferson and Cari Frances (Josh) Hudson of Toccoa; a niece, Stephanie J. Mensing; grandchildren, Kaylen R. Hilton, Timothy Clinton (Mia) Hilton Jr, Grant M. Hudson, Cabe M. Hudson, Carter T. Hilton, Christopher T. Hilton, Hank S. Hudson, Camellia R. Hudson, Crickett J. Hudson, Bayleigh Smith and Sydney Smith; and great-grandchildren, Titus J. Hilton, Malachi J. Hilton and Aaliyah J. Hilton.
Funeral services were held Dec. 2 in Hillcrest Chapel of the Acree-Davis Funeral Home with the Rev. Timothy Clint Hilton and The Rev. Steve Vickery officiating.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.acree-davisfh.com.
Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.