Deborah Jean Flowers Wynhamer
Jesup—Deborah Jean Flowers Wynhamer, 62, died Feb. 21, 2022, at Doctors Hospital of Augusta.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, she was born on Aug. 27, 1959, to the late John Henry Flowers and Arizona Ruth Brooker Flowers. She attended church regularly at Emmanuel Baptist Church and loved cooking and baking cakes in her spare time.
She was known for her baking skills, especially when it came to fruit cake, red velvet cake and pound cake. She loved taking walks and riding her bicycle as much as she loved shopping and her short Saturday afternoon getaway trips.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Lois Howell; two brothers, Ken and J.C. Flowers; and her two beloved canine companions, Roy and Blackie.
Survivors include her husband of 38 years, Jim Wynhamer of Jesup; a son, Danny Gastel of Jesup; a brother, Robert Flowers of Jesup; sisters, Cindy Flowers, Gail Cook, Colleen Flowers and Linda Flowers, all of Jesup; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Tina Bidlingmaier
Jesup—Tina Bidlingmaier, 61, of Jesup died Feb. 23, 2022, after a battle with cancer.
The Wayne County native was a member of Screven First Baptist Church and was employed with Wayne Memorial Hospital for 27 years. She enjoyed reading, traveling and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents, Norman and Doris Bidlingmaier.
Survivors include daughters, Kelly Boyette of Waverly, Maddie Withrow of Jesup and April (Curtis) Boyette of Kingsland; two sisters, Vicky (Melvin) Boyette of Screven and Terrie (James) Napier Jr. of Screven; grandchildren, Gunner, Gage, Cohen, Weston, Coast, Huntley and Ellington; nephews, Rance, (Candice), Dustin and Brandon; and a niece, Haley.
Funeral services were held Feb. 26 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Brother Melvin Boyette officiating. Private interment followed in the Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were close friends. Honorary pallbearers were fellow friends and employees of Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Vernon Milton Blanton
Odum—Vernon Milton Blanton, 71, died peacefully at Wayne Memorial Hospital on Feb. 27, 2022.
The Wayne County native was a member of Altamaha Church of God. He spent his adolescent years working on his parents’ farm and always joked that he “got his degree working in the fields across the road.”
He began the career he loved as meat-cutter in his teens and recently retired in 2021. In 2003 he received a new chance at life with a heart and kidney transplant under the care of Mayo Clinic. This allowed him nearly 19 more years on Earth. His desire and determination to live was driven by his obligation to take care of his family.
He was known for his generosity and his sarcastic, witty humor. His main “hobby” was work, but he loved to cook for his family, as well as delivering plates to his friends and neighbors.
He fought hard in the end, but on his own terms, refusing COVID-19 vaccinations, ventilators and kidney dialysis. According to his family, he chose his own weapons—hope for a better life, love for his family and faith that his timing was completely in God’s hands.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tommy and Beulah (Metts) Blanton, and brothers, Elbert Blanton Jr., Buddy Blanton, Curtis Blanton, Robert Blanton and Arnie Blanton.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Manning Blanton of Odum; daughters, Melinda (Kim) Phillips of Griffin and Serena (Donovan) Lucero of Odum; grandchildren, Wade Christian, Gage Phillips, Calyn Lucero, Collin Phillips, Kolby Phillips; sisters, Bevy Fennell of Odum, Mezell (Maurice) Floyd of Jesup and Cecil Blanton of Odum; and several nieces and nephews.
The family offers a special thank you to Dr. Robert Pumpelly, the staff at Wayne Memorial Hospital and Hospice of South Georgia.
Celebration-of-life services were held March 2 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor R.M. Warren and the Rev. Dewain Joiner officiating. Graveside services followed in New Hope Cemetery with the Rev. Maurice Floyd and the Rev. Richard Waters officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Emory Allen Clary
Screven—Emory Allen Clary, 70, died Feb. 21, 2022.
The Bibb County native had lived in Wayne County most of his life. He was a member of Screven First Baptist Church and attended Screven United Methodist Church. He was a retired machinist with CSX Railroad Company and former farmer.
Racing and truck-pulling events were his favorite pastimes, especially with his good friend, Franklin Burch. Most of all, he loved to ride his motorcycle.
He had “the most giving spirit” and always was helping many people, his family said.
He was predeceased by his wife, Rose Dale Clary; parents, Bill and Virginia Clary; and special aunt, Katherine Jennings.
Survivors include his wife of 10 years, Debbie Lairsey Clary of Screven, and her daughter, Brooke (Danny) Knight of Valdosta, and their daughter, Mackenzie; two sons, Bill Clary of Midway and Josh (Rachel) Clary of Odum; three grandchildren, Hagen Clary, Dalton (Mariah) Clary and Annsley Clary; and three great-grandchildren, Brenton, Dawson and Myles Clary.
Funeral services were held Feb. 24 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Douglas McCart, Pastor Don Cunningham and Joy Burch Meeks officiating. Interment followed in the Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Darrell Wasdin, Jesse Williamson, Edward Odum, Robert Boyette, Nicholas Jordan, Mike Haley, Jimmy Thrift and Kenneth Tyre.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Henry Joseph “Joe” Hall
Jesup—Henry Joseph “Joe” Hall, 68, of Jesup died Feb. 23, 2022.
The Wayne County native was a member of Westside Church of God and a retired logging truck driver.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Harriet Moody Hall of Jesup; two daughters, Amy Miller and Alana Hall both of Jesup; son, Joey (Bridgett) Hall of Jesup; brother, Alvin Hall of Jesup; sister, Anna Beth Grantham of Jesup; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Graveside services were held Feb. 25 from J.C. Hamilton Cemetery with the Rev. Ryan Sweat and the Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Bernard Elliott Scott
Jesup—Bernard Elliott Scott, 94, of Jesup died Feb. 26, 2022.
The Wayne County native was a member of New Vision of New Life church and was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a retired longshoreman out of Jacksonville, Florida, and he enjoyed fishing and working with his church.
Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Diane Moody Scott of Jesup; four daughters, Bobby Jenkins of Jacksonville, Pattie (John) Robinson, Melanie (Thomas) Knox and Melissa (Jeff) Lewis, all of Jesup; sons, David Smith of Jesup, Michael Scott of Jacksonville, and Roger Robinson of McClenny, Florida; a grandson he raised, John Long of Florida; and several other grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Celebration-of-life services were held March 1 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Ryan Sweat and the Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating. Internment was in the J.C. Hamilton Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family and friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of arrangements.
Willie Kent Adams
Baxley—Willie Kent Adams, 71, of Baxley died Feb. 26, 2022 at his residence.
He was born Sept. 5, 1950, in Appling County to the late Bill Kent Adams and the late Bulah Deen Adams. He was a retired iron worker and truck driver with Bax-Steel Buildings.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Madie Blanton Adams; sisters, Jewel Hollar and Thelma Hardwick; brothers, Billy Adams, Kenneth Adams and Donnie Adams; and stepsons, Van Patrick and Frank Patrick.
Survivors include his children, Jamie (Debbie) Adams of Jesup and Robbie (Wendy) Adams of Odum; Quinda Patrick, Missy (Al) Meadows and Gail (Dale) Dixon, all of Baxley; brothers, Lonnie (Sharon) Adams of Baxley and James Adams of Hazlehurst; and nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held March 2 from the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home. Interment was in Memorial Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.
Mabel Josephine (Jo) Carpenter Mason
Jesup—Mabel Josephine (Jo) Carpenter Mason, 79, of Jesup died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Feb. 11, 2022.
She was born in Brunswick, the daughter of the late George Orison Carpenter and the late Jane Irene Carpenter.
Jo, as she was affectionately known, was a native of St. Simons Island. She graduated from Glynn Academy in 1961. She met her husband, Bill, in December 1965 on a blind date, and they were married on March 4, 1966. They moved to Cherry Point, North Carolina, while he was in the Marine Corps. They moved back to St. Simons Island in 1970. They lived on the island with their two daughters until 2002, when they moved to Jesup.
She was very active with the American Legion Auxiliary and had been a member for 78 years. She held several positions at the local, district and state levels. She enjoyed making lap throws that were given out by the American Legion Auxiliary to the veterans and their spouses in the local nursing homes of Brunswick. She was active with the volunteer fire department and was known by many as “Mom.” She helped man the radio at Station 2 and held the position of treasurer for many years, but her main function was to be over rehab for the department.
She had also been involved with the Golden Isles Emerald Society, Elks Lodge No. 0691, Bunco Club, Canasta Club, Golden Isles Retired Firefighters Association, Veterans Council of the Golden Isles, Golden Isles Georgia Retired Educators Association, 224th JCSS Veterans Association, Coastal Republican Women’s Club, and her church, Akin Memorial United Methodist Church.
She loved to spend time with her family. She enjoyed all types of needlework. Very seldom did you see her without her crocheting and cross stitch with her. She enjoyed playing cards, Spanish weaving and volunteering.
She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, her family said.
Survivors include her husband of almost 56 years, William “Bill” F. Mason Jr.; two daughters, Yvonne F. (Tommy) Dixon of Brunswick and Billie Jo (Chris) Hickey of Jesup; six grandsons, Timothy (Ashley) Mason of Brunswick, Lee Faulk of Riverside, California, Michael Johns of Jesup, Andrew (Kassandra) Faulk of Foley, Alabama, Thomas Dixon of Brunswick and Jake Hickey of Santa Barbara, California; three granddaughters, Christina Johns of Jesup, Debra Williams of Brunswick and Casadi (Chris) Nielsen of Oklahoma; four great-grandchildren, Mowgli Mason and Teagan Mason, both of Brunswick, and Clara and Colby Nielsen, both of Oklahoma; several nieces and nephews; and numerous adopted children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service to honor her life will be held March 5 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. The family will receive friends between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., prior to the service. Honorary pallbearers are the American Legion Auxiliary, Golden Isles Retired Firefighter Association, and Brunswick Elks Aidmore Auxiliary.
Memorial contributions may be made to Coastal Hospice at 1700 Frederica Road, Suite 205, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.
Family and friends may sign the register book and leave condolences for the family at www.edomillerandsons.com.
Edo Miller and Sons is in charge of the arrangements.
Terris R. Bennett Jr.
Huger, South Carolina—Terris R. Bennett Jr., 65, of Huger, South Carolina, died Feb. 2, 2022.
He was born April 6, 1956, in Savannah, son of Johnie Williams Bennett and the late Terris R. “Pete” Bennett Sr. He was self- employed in the concrete industry and enjoyed both hunting and fishing in the Lowcountry and the Altamaha River in Wayne County.
He was preceded in death by his father, Pete Bennett, and two brothers, Warren E. Bennett and Kenneth E. Bennett.
Survivors include his mother, Johnie Faye Bennett of Huger; four sisters, Theresa K. (Michael) Perry of Ridgeville, Annette Bennett (Mike) Vaughn of Huger, Louise B. Mitchum of Huger and Carolyn Bennett (Tommy) Garvin of Adams Run; two brothers, Noah (Sandy) Rey of Summerville, South Carolina, and Jason Lee (Autumn) Bennett of Bronson, Michgan; two sisters-in-law, Brenda Bennett and Dawn Bennett, both of Bronson; and 40 nieces and nephews.
His family is meeting in Jesup on March 5 at 3 p.m. in remembrance of his life well-lived and loved. For details call (912) 278-3930.