Michael Lonnie Bennett
Jesup—Michael Lonnie Bennett, 39, died suddenly on Dec. 22, 2023, at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born on May 27, 1984. He graduated from Wayne County High School and was a welder by trade. He had been working most recently at Harris ACE Hardware.
His free spirit and laid- back personality made him a joy to be around, and he truly “never met a stranger.” He was kind-hearted and giving, his family said, and he loved hunting, fishing and spending time with the ones he loved.
He was preceded in death by his father, Mayro Lonnie Bennett; paternal grandparents, Elmo and Carolyn Bennett; and maternal grandparents, Aline and Tommy Mercer.
Survivors include his three children, April Bennett Corbitt of Columbus, Wesley Bennett of Jesup and Kiley Bennett of Screven; his mother, Sheri Courson of Jesup; two sisters, Dawn Bennett (Carlo) Ognilla of Jesup and Melanie Bennett (Adam) O’Quinn of Blackshear; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins and a large extended family.
A visitation and graveside funeral services will be held privately for immediate family members with burial in the Bennett Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Shane’s Crib, 1303 S. First St., Jesup, GA 31545.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Linda Grantham Odom
Jesup—Linda Grantham Odom, 83, of Jesup died peacefully on Dec. 30, 2023, under the care of Cotton Grove Estates and Hospice of South Georgia.
She was a lifelong resident of Wayne County and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of First Freewill Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking and baking and possessed a green thumb that produced beautiful plants.
She loved her home in Gardi and prided herself on caring for her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, G. Mike Odom Sr.; her parents, John Holland Grantham Sr. and Miriam Arnette Grantham; a sister, Grace Lewis Reddish; and a brother, John Holland Grantham Jr.
Survivors include her children, G. Mike (Mary) Odom Jr. of Richmond Hill, Tonda (Russell) Highsmith of Jesup and Jana (Mark) Perry of Saint Simons Island; grandchildren, Remley (Payton) Highsmith of Jesup, Hunter (Chelsey) Odom of Marietta, Caroline Odom of Atlanta, and Isabella and Davis Perry of St. Simons Island; two great-grandchildren, Ryder Highsmith and Parker Highsmith; a sister-in-law, Faye (Richard) Quick of Waynesboro; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Jan. 2 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with family speaking. Interment followed at Gardi Community Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her grandsons and son-in-laws. Honorary pallbearers were all present and past caregivers, staff and administration of Cotton Grove Estates and the staff of Hospice of South Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gardi Community Cemetery Fund, c/o Sandra Sutton, 137 Charlton Street, Jesup, GA 31545 or Mission on the Move, P.O. Box 13208 Savannah, GA 31416 (www.missiononthemove.org).
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Phyllis Sours
Jesup—Phyllis Sours, 83, of Jesup died peacefully on Jan. 1, 2024, after a year-long fight with cancer.
Her family held a vigil for the past three days every hour by her bedside. Her life’s journey started with being born in Michigan and then moving to Oregon and Florida and finally for the last five years in Georgia with Mark, her partner. His family received her warmly and loved on her, along with his friends. She will be remembered for her tough spirit, feistiness and her love of playing pool.
She will be missed by many of her family and friends in Georgia, Florida, Oregon, Washington and Michigan.
Her daughter, Brenda Brown, preceded her in death.
In addition to Mark Porfilio of Jesup, survivors also include her children, Debra Waege (Brown), Cindy Brown, Craig Brown, Amy Brown, Tony Brown and Audra Kelly; 13 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Bennett Hickey
Jesup—Dorothy “Jean” Bennett Hickey, 92, died Dec. 31, 2023.
She was a Fernandina Beach, Florida, native but lived in Wayne County for most of her life. She was a member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church. She was a homemaker and loved flowers, playing cards, baking, shopping and being an awesome “Nana.”
Family was everything as she devoted her life to rearing her children and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her favorite pastime was swinging on her front porch.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Josephine Bennett; her husband, Stanley Hickey Sr.; brothers, Luther “Tug” Bennett, Louis Bennett and Hubert Bennett; sisters, Louise Shealey, Grace Peters, Kathryn Hickey and Helen Paasche; a son-in-law, Roger Lewis; and two grandsons-in-law Gene Beverly and Daniel Lynn.
Survivors include five children, Pam (Henry) White, Paula (Roger) Lewis, Rhonda (Charles) Scott and Stanley (Peggy) Hickey Jr., all of Jesup and Renee (B.W.) Clark of Athens; a brother, Cecil Bennett of Fernandina Beach; 10 grandchildren, Nicole (Daniel) Lynn, Amanda (Lamar) Joiner, Adam Scott, Ashleigh (Matthew) Johnson, Alan (Erica) Scott, April (Trey) Davis, Amy (Davy) Owens, Matthew (Mandy) White, Taylor (Jake) Powell and Lindsay (Eli) Garrett; and 25 great-grandchildren.
A celebration-of-life service will be held today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with B.W. Clark and Pastor Garth Duke-Barton officiating. Interment will follow in Jesup City Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be her grandsons and granddaughters’ spouses.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.