Harry Lee McCray Sr.
Screven—Harry Lee McCray Sr., 84, died March 12, 2022, at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
He was born on Feb. 16, 1938 to the late Harry McCray and Mary Lee Pearson-Thomas of Douglas. He attended school in Coffee County. He was employed as an orderly for more than 15 years at Wayne Memorial Hospital. Affectionately known as “Granddaddy” to many students in the district, he retired as an attendant for the Wayne County school system, where he was well-known and loved.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He married the love of his life, Ernestine McCray, of Savannah on Feb. 17, 1960. They shared 62 wonderful years of marriage and out of this beautiful union came four children, Christine, Katherine, Shirley and Harry Jr. His family said a father like him is rare, one who was so generous, compassionate and kind. He had a smile that would light up any room.
He was preceded in death by both parents, Harry McCray and Mary Lee Pearson-Thomas; six brothers, Homer Thomas, Buddy Thomas, Lindburg Thomas, Willie Thomas, Baby Ruth Thomas and Charlie Thomas; and two sisters, Elizabeth Thomas and Eula Jones.
Survivors include his wife, Ernestine McCray of Savannah; a sister, Viola Dixon of Trenton, New Jersey; three daughters, Christine Crestwell of Indianapolis, Indiana, Katherine Wilkins of Screven and Shirley (Joseph) Lawson of Indianapolis; a son, Harry Lee McCray Jr. of San Martino Di Lupari, Italy; grandchildren, Kendrick McCray, Shameka (Christopher) Upshaw, Taffaney Wilkins, Krystal Wilkins, Courtney (Jonathan) Ashley, Taneesha (John III) Williams, Shakeia (Michael) Royster, Antoine (Kiarra) Ellis, Joseph Lawson III, Dominique (Tiara) Clarke, Tonya McCray, Harry (Martina) McCray III and Soraya McCray; great-grandchildren, Shamiyah McCray, Kayjasia McCray, Kenya McCray, Clyniah Baker, Cayden Baker, Alexia Wilcox, Taylor Wilcox, Ethan Ashley, Cori Ashley, John Williams IV, Jayce Williams, Terriona McCray, Trinity McCray, Tristen Jones, Evan McCray, Khloe McCray, Tommaso McCray, Zoe McCray, Tamya Clarke, Jeremiah Clarke, Alexza Clark, Addisyn Clarke, Kingston Clarke, Justin Bacon Jr., Kalani Lawson, Zakiyah Upshaw and Kaila Upshaw; a sister-in-law, Mary Francis Thomas of Screven; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Celebration-of-life services were held March 19 at New Bethel Life Changing Ministries in Screven with Pastor David Wilkins presiding. Burial was in Screven City Cemetery.
Royal Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Marion Josephine Williamson
Odum—Marion Josephine Williamson, 81, died March 15, 2022, in Wayne Memorial Hospital and under the care of GHC Hospice.
She was a native of Screven and a lifelong resident of Wayne County. Known for her green thumb, she prided herself on gardening and tending her flowers. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas Williamson of Odum; daughter, Joyce Williamson of Odum; son and daughter-in-law, Buck and Sheila Williamson of Jesup; three grandchildren, Tommy Williamson, Beth (Blake) Roberts and Bryan (Megan) Williamson; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.
Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici is in charge of arrangements.
Lindsay Wildes Jones
Jesup—Lindsay Wildes Jones, 80, of Jesup died March 16, 2022, at his home under the loving care of his family and Georgia Hospice Care.
The Wayne County native and 1960 Jesup High School graduate was a member of New Hope Free Will Baptist Church.
He retired from Satilla REMC after 37 years of service, was a Jesup Volunteer Firefighter Department retiree and was instrumental in helping start up the Madray Springs Fire Department. He served in the Air National Guard for almost eight years.
His favorite pastime was tinkering in his shop all day, making bee traps that he gave away to friends and making wooden benches. He also enjoyed watching his 28-year-old horse, Pepper, roam around his yard.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur (Farmer) Jones and Kathleen Wildes Jones; a sister, Susan Harris; a brother, Scotty Jones; and a brother-in-law, Dwight Dunham.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jannette Westberry Jones of Jesup; a son, Rickey Jones of Jesup; a grandson, Gavin (Courtney) Jones; a loving great-grandson, Case Jones; a sister, Kathy Dunham of Jesup; brothers, Johnny (Vivian) Jones of Jesup and David (Dianne) Jones of Lafayette; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held March 18 at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. Tim Horne officiating. Interment was in New Hope Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were John Dunham, Lee Bishop, Clem Collins, Al Copeland, Dub Jones, Brad Hart and Michael Westberry. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Senior Adult Sunday school class and the staff at GHC.
The family would like to give special thanks to the GHC Hospice staff for the great care of him. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Hope Cemetery Fund, 455 Ogden Loop, Odum, GA, 31555
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Janet Kay Stanley Donica
Jesup—Janet Kay Stanley Donica, 83, of Jesup died March 15, 2022.
A resident of Jesup since 1978, she was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Jesup.
She was a former employee of the Wayne County school system and fulfilled many teaching positions in her 20-plus years at Wayne County High School.
During her years in Wayne County, she was an active member of Y-Club, Daughters of the American Revolution and Circle 3 of Jesup FUMC, as well as various other church and club organizations. Wherever there was a need, she always seemed to volunteer her time and energy.
In her retirement years, she and her loving husband of 53 years traveled visiting Nova Scotia and places throughout the United States such as Hawaii, Alaska and her hometown of Winchester, Virginia.
She still found time to be active in Daughters of the American Revolution, Kiwanis, Retired Teachers and many church events.
In her free time, she read and attended family and friend events as often as possible.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Fred Donica, and her parents, Guy and Kathryn Stanley of Winchester.
Survivors include her son, Fred “Ricky” Donica III and his wife, Deanna, of Jacksonville, Florida; her daughter Sharon Spradley, and her husband, Jeremiah, of Jesup; granddaughters, Jennifer Ulmer and Madison (Lee) Brant of Jesup; a sister, Carolyn Lebo of San Diego, California; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held March 19 at Jesup FUMC with Pastor Rebecca Duke-Barton officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were family and friends. Honorary pallbearers were her Circle friends and fellow retired teachers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jesup First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546 or to Shriners Hospital for Children, Attn: Processing Center, P.O. Box 947765, Atlanta, GA. 30394
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Charles W. “Chuck” Anderson
Jesup—Charles Walter “Chuck’’ Anderson, 90, of Jesup died March 19, 2022.
The Birmingham, Alabama, native had lived in Wayne County the past 65 years and was a member of St. Paul Episcopal Church. He graduated from University of Georgia with an industrial arts degree. He played football for the Bulldogs from 1950 through 1954.
After college, he entered the U.S. Army and served during the latter part of the Korean Conflict. He married the “love of his life,” Mary Ann Hodges, and became part of Hodges Hardware and Lumber Company, which he later owned, as well as Anderson Building and Brick Supply in Jesup and
Hinesville.
He enjoyed his time with the Jesup Jaycees, Pine Forest Country Club Golf Association, Jesup Elks Lodge and Wayne County Touchdown Club and served on the board of Trust Company Bank.
He was preceded in death by his son, Art Anderson.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Mary Ann Hodges Anderson of Jesup; a daughter, Jan Anderson Davis of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; a son, Jim Anderson of Jesup; grandchildren, Bart Anderson, Brent Anderson, Victoria (Cody) Brookshire, Stephanie (Hunter) Berger; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Keith Anderson; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held March 22 from St. Paul Episcopal Church with Father Nathan Wilson officiating. Private interment was in the Jesup City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1291, Jesup, GA. 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Cecil James O’Neal
Screven—Cecil James O’Neal, 77, of Screven died March 18, 2022, at his residence.
He was born in Wayne County July 11, 1944, to the late Lester O’Neal and the late Roselee Wilder O’Neal. He had been a resident of Gardi for 18 years before moving to Screven. He was a member of Jesup Church of God of Prophecy and a retired truck driver. He leaves many fond memories that will be cherished by all.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jessie O’Neal and Ernest O’Neal; and a sister, Joyce Strickland.
Survivors include his loving wife, Nellie Ruth O’Neal: three sisters, Lois O’Neal, Evelyn Campbell and Margie Blackmon; a brother, Tommy (Joan) O’Neal; and other family members.
Services were held March 20 at Jesup Church of God of Prophecy with the Rev. Gary Rawls officiating.
Pallbearers were Jimmy McQuaig, Lyle Ryals, Chad Bailey, Michael O’Neal, Kody O’Neal and Tommy O’Neal.
Also, services were held March 23 at Woodstock Funeral Home in Woodstock. Burial followed at Cherokee Memorial Park, 120 Memorial Drive, Canton.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home and Woodstock Funeral Home were in charge of arrangements.