Moses Brown
Jesup—Moses “A.J.” or “Babe” Brown, 86, of Jesup died Feb. 12, 2022.
The Wayne County native was a retired ITT Rayonier employee. He enjoyed things of his generation such as sitting on the front porch and visiting with family and friends, feeding the birds and squirrels, and meeting friends for breakfast at Krystal.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 19 years, Myrtice Howard Brown; a son, James Alvin Brown; a grandson, Kaiden Jones; a sister, Susie Brown Williams; and a brother, Jimmy Lee Brown.
Survivors include nine daughters, Debra Brown of Tampa, Florida, Juanita Rogers of Jacksonville, Florida, Jeanette Jackson of Vidalia, and Kendra Howard, Shirley Jones, Jabrarie Jones, Tangie Brown, Aleesha Howard, and Adriene Howard, all of Jesup; a son, A.J. Moses Brown Jr. of California; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Feb. 15 at Unity Church of God with Pastor Calvin Anderson officiating. Interment was in Sunset Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Thomas Ilcken, Deronte Jackson, Kaliela and Brandon Wilkins, David Bass and Brandon Kelly. Honorary pallbearers were his fellow employees at Rayonier.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Pamela Gayle “Pam” Crews
Odum—Pamela Gayle “Pam” Crews, 69, of Odum died Feb. 13, 2022, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Florida native lived in Wayne County the past 25 years and attended House of Worship and Ministries. She was a former waitress at Sybil’s Family Restaurant and a homemaker.
She loved to dote on her grandchildren, gardening and taking care of her dogs.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmitt Lowery and Ethel Heape, and her brother, Jimmy.
Survivors include her husband, Rickey Crews of Homeland; four sons, Kyle (Misty) McCormick of Odum, Ray (Michelle) Shearin of Jesup, John (Lindsay) Murphy of Jacksonville, Florida, and Mark (Martha) Dyal of Port St. Joe, Florida; five grandchildren, Stormy, Kyle II, Tori, Chase and Raynie; eight great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jocelynn, J.T., Jax, Kenlea, Jace, Kyler and Kolton; three brothers, Roy (Josephine) Crews, Bruce Lowery and Dale (Ginger) Busbee; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held today (Thursday) at 3 p.m. at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Pastor Mickey Tomberlin officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.
Ricky E. “Rick” Hardenbook
Jesup—Ricky E. “Rick” Hardenbook, 63, of Jesup died Feb. 13, 2022.
The Duval County, Florida, native had spent most of his life in Wayne County and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He was a 34- year employee with Georgia Department of Transportation and enjoyed scuba diving, golf, and watching all sports.
He was predeceased by his parents, Mark and Eloise Todd Hardenbrook.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Zoe Brannen Hardenbrook of Jesup; two sons, Scott (Jennifer) Hardenbrook of Jesup and Sean (Leslie) Hardenbrook of Jefferson; a brother, Roger (Kathy) Hardenbrook of Screven; grandchildren, Madilyn, Mackenzeigh, Charlotte and Amelia Hardenbrook; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside celebration-of-life services were held Feb. 16 from Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with Pastor Vann Dempsey officiating. Active pallbearers were Clay Hardenbrook, Barry and Chris Brannen, Greg Wasdin, Neil Dubberly and Glenn Takaki.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was is in charge of arrangements.
J.P. McDuffie
Jesup—J.P. McDuffie, 74, of Jesup died Feb. 8, 2022.
The Rochelle native and U.S. Navy veteran had lived in Wayne County for most of his life. He was a retired Rayonier employee.
Freshwater fishing and watching Westerns were his favorite pastimes.
His son, Chris McDuffie, predeceased him along with his parents, Preston and Ruby Smith McDuffie.
Survivors include his best friend and companion, Kathy R. McDuffie of Jesup; two stepdaughters, Candace Nichols of Brunswick and Beth (Brian) Smith of Hazlehurst; seven grandchildren, Chandler, Audrey, Katie, Gage, Allec, Taylor and Jaci; and a sister, Joyce (Terry) Sharpe of Rochelle.
Graveside services were held Feb. 11 at Christian Hill Cemetery in Rochelle with the Rev. Wayne “Rooster” Manning.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia Building Fund, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA. 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Evelyn “Pete” Palmer Russell
Odum—Evelyn “Pete” Palmer Russell, 94, of Odum died Feb. 13, 2022.
The Soperton native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and was a member of Piney Grove Church of God. The homemaker enjoyed watching baseball, especially her beloved Atlanta Braves. She also learned how to crochet and embroider, making gifts for her family.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Ila Mae Ring, Doris Landon, Amanda Landon and Adele Palmer, and her brothers, George Perry Palmer Jr. and Elmo Palmer.
Survivors include her daughter, Carrie Gaynell (John) Anderson of Jesup; her son, Tommy Ray Russell of Glennville; a brother, Billy (Karen) Palmer of Jesup; six grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces, including a very loving and caring niece who visited her very often and took care of her needs, Margie (Charles) Wells of Ludowici.
Graveside funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. in Old Bethel Cemetery with the Rev. Glenn Ring and the Rev. Richard Dobson officiating.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the cemetery.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lucille Freeman Smith
Jesup—Lucille Freeman Smith, 98, of Jesup died Feb. 13, 2022.
The Tattnall County native and former resident of Naples, Florida, had lived in Wayne County the past nine years. She was a former housekeeper and enjoyed spending time with her family and doting on her dogs, including her Humane Society rescued dogs.
Gardening was also a favorite pastime.
She was preceded in death by her two sons, James Ralph Rogers and Johnny Edward Lastinger; three brothers, Lester, Leroy and Harley Freeman; and two sisters, Effie Mae Freeman and Cora Sikes.
Survivors include a daughter, Jackie (Alvin) Howard of Jesup; three grandsons, Timmy (Kim) Rozier of Jesup and their children, Antonio and Caelyn, Jimmy (Jodie) Rogers of Little Elm, Texas, and their children, Jennifer, Jesse, Jackson, Jacob, Jamie and Jagger, and Rick (Vanne) Rogers of Little Elm, and their children, Chelsea and Sean; a granddaughter, Kandice Howard (Daniel) Lolley of Kennesaw and their children, Morgan and Cameron; a daughter-in-law, Rebecca Rogers, and her husband, Michael Stanley, of Del Rio, Tennessee; and numerous nieces, nephews and special family friends.
Memorial services were held by the family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Thelma Warren Thomas
Jesup—Thelma Warren Thomas, 97, died Feb. 14, 2022, at Cotton Grove Estate in Jesup.
She was born in Appling County on Jan. 8, 1925, and grew up in Jesup. She graduated from Jesup High School and Georgia Teacher’s College (now Georgia Southern University) in Statesboro. After graduating from college, she moved to Patterson to begin her teaching career.
She met the love of her life, James Wendell Thomas, soon after moving to Patterson, and they were married on Nov. 8, 1947. She taught first grade in Patterson for 30 years.
She was the oldest living member of Patterson United Methodist Church and was actively involved in many positions at her church through the years.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother and was well- known for her excellent cooking, generosity and willingness to help others.
She was predeceased by her husband, James Wendell Thomas; her parents, Robert and Nora Dent Warren; a brother, Roy Warren, who died before she was born; and four sisters, Evelyn Harrell, Virginia Brady, Lois Jones and Eleanor May.
Survivors include a daughter, Dale (Everett) Leggett of Jesup; two granddaughters, Sarah (Jason) Rogers of Jesup and Anna (Ryan) Faircloth of Richmond Hill; one great-granddaughter, Felicity Rogers of Jesup; a brother-in-law, Dr. Lanier Harrell of Jesup; and many nieces, nephews and family friends.
Visitation will be held today (Thursday) from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home in Jesup. A graveside service will immediately follow at 3 p.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery in Jesup with pastors Fred Anderson and Glenn Rainey officiating. Active pallbearers will be her nephews.
Remembrances may be made to The Methodist Home for Children and Youth, P.O. Box 2525, Macon, GA 31204 or to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Arthur Riendeau
Jesup—Arthur “Cigar” Riendeau, 88, was reunited with the love of his life, his late wife, Laotha Westberry Riendeau, on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2022.
A resident of Wayne County for more than 65 years, he was born on July 4, 1933, in Saxtons River, Vermont, to the late George and Hazel Flanders Riendeau.
He started driving trucks at the age of 12 and was later drafted into the United States Army, where he served his country for several years in various duty stations, including Fort Stewart as a truck driver. After his military service, he went back to driving trucks, where he logged millions of miles before his retirement after nearly 70 years of operating trucks.
His outgoing personality made him well- known all over the country, and he could tell you how to get to just about anywhere.
In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing but mostly spending time with the ones he loved and drinking a few cold beers.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his son, James Robert “Robbie” Riendeau; his daughter, Teresa Burks; and his siblings, Betty, Patty Ann, Tickie, Joe, Sonny, Freddy and Larry.
Survivors include his sons, Terry (Marsha) Riendeau of Odum and Ricky Riendeau and fiancée, Melonie, of Jesup; siblings, Gordon “Yank” (Irene) Riendeau of Screven and Donald, Florence, Lucy and Sandra; and a host of grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grand-child-
ren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today (Thursday) at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup.
Private interment services will be held at a later date in the Georgia Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Glennville with military honors.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.