Burl Leonard Messer Jr.
Jesup—Burl Leonard Messer Jr., 84, of Jesup died March 24, 2022.
The Perry, Florida, native had lived in Wayne County in the Doctortown area all of his life and was a 42-year retiree with Rayonier. He was a U.S. Army veteran and was an avid reader and enjoyed outdoor activities and having coffee with his friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Burl Messer Sr. and Viola Messer, and a sister, Barbara Courson.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Janice Dykes Messer of Jesup; daughters, Tammy (Andy) West of Jesup and Teri (James) Godwin of Screven; sisters, Shirley (Charles) Peiter of Springfield, Missouri, and Patsy Ogden of Jesup; four grandchildren, Katelyn and Andrew West and Anna and Jacob Godwin; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held March 28 from Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Gerald Greenlee officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Carroll L. Thornton Sr.
Jesup—Carroll L. Thornton Sr., 84, of Jesup died March 25, 2022.
The Baxley native and U.S. Air Force veteran was a former civil service employee and attended the former Hickory Street Church of God.
He enjoyed playing mandolin and trading musical instruments.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Joyce Oliver Thornton; his brother, Joseph Harold Thornton; and sister, Doretha Rowland.
Survivors include four daughters, Janet (Danny) Briscoe of Bessemer, Alabama, Janice (Gene) Davis of Springfield, Linda Thornton (Scott Wallace) of Ellijay and Cheryl (Vic) Anderson of Perry; two sons, Ronnie Thornton of Bessemer and Carroll “Bo” (Shelia) Thornton Jr. of Jesup; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held March 30 at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Gene Davis officiating. Interment followed in Ephesus Church of God Cemetery in Bristol with military honors. Active pallbearers were his grandsons.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mark Vertis Shipes
Screven—Mark Vertis Shipes, 59, of Screven died March 26, 2022.
The Appling County native had lived in Florida most of his life. For the last 10 years, he had lived in Screven. He was a Christian and was a retired tree surgeon.
He enjoyed fishing and golfing, but his favorite pastime was spent with his family, especially his three granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Alisa Renee Shipes; his mother, Carolyn R. Howard; and his brother-in-law, Cliff Johnson.
Survivors include his two daughters, Brandis Shipes of Screven and Rachel Brown of Jacksonville, Florida; a son, Mark (Laura) Shipes II of Jacksonville; three granddaughters, Catherine, Lydia and Amelia; his father, Danny Howard of Jacksonville; a sister, Sandy Johnson of Jacksonville; a brother, Kevin Brown of Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held March 29 in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Appling County with the Rev. Gerald Greenlee officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jack Daniel
Odum—Jack Daniel, 88, of Odum died March 28, 2022, under the care of GHC Hospice.
The Odum native and U.S. Army veteran was a lifetime member of Odum United Methodist Church. He was a master Mason for more than 57 years. He was a retired firefighter with the Civil Service and also mastered Jack’s Fried Pork Skins and Funnel Cakes at various venues for more than 25 years.
In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, meeting new friends and most of all, spending time with his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Ann Daniel; daughter, Dianne Spell; parents, Luther and Rozzie Daniel; and two brothers, Vernon and Luther Daniel Jr.
Survivors include a daughter, Debbie Carter of Odum; three grandchildren, Phillip (Tabitha) Spell of Jesup, Nicholas (Jana) Carter of K’ville and Olivia (Massey) Evans of Byromville; four great-grandchildren, Madelynn, Maybree and Jack Spell and Bristol Carter; two sisters, Nell (Bob) Ormandy of Odum and Jean Walker of Richmond Hill; a sister-in-law, Alma Daniel of Lakeland, Florida; several nieces and nephews; and a very special friend, Faye Lewis of Jesup.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 1, at 11 a.m. at Rinehart Chapel with the Rev. Ryan Wilson officiating with full Masonic rites. Private interment will be in the Odum City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to GHC Hospice, 141 South Macon Street, Jesup, GA 31545 or Masonic Home of Georgia, 1417 Nottingham Drive, Macon, GA 31211.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Sue Hagans Price
Jesup—Betty Sue Hagans Price, 67, died March 28, 2022, after an extended illness under the care of GHC Hospice.
The Chatham County native had lived most of her life in Jesup and was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. She was a former employee of Kmart. She was a very loving person and always a gentle soul who helped anyone who needed her and was gifted in never meeting a stranger, acording to her family. She enjoyed special vacations as well as visiting the beach.
She had great faith in God and is now at peace in the arms of Jesus, her family said.
She was predeceased by her parents, Solomon and Joyce Jarriel Hagans; sisters, Cathleen H. Grantham and Peggy H. Landon; brother, Danny Hagans; and nephew, James C. Harris Jr..
Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, JoAnn and James C. Harris of Jesup; a niece, Ann Harris of Jesup; and numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Friday, April 1, at 2 p.m. from Spring Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Matt Williams officiating.
The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to services at the cemetery.
The family would like to thank GHC Hospice for their gentle supportive care and the staff of Wayne Memorial Hospital. Memorial contributions may be made to GHC Foundation, P.O. Box 15665, Savannah, GA 31416.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Debbie Yeomans Fenn
Jesup—Debbie Yeomans Fenn, 64, of Jesup died March 29, 2022, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native and resident was a member of Gardi Baptist Church and a homemaker. She received her ultimate healing after a courageous 31-year battle with cancer.
Her greatest reward here on Earth was rearing two wonderful children and spending time with her grandchildren, her family said. Her favorite pastimes were bowling, crocheting and stitching.
Her grandmother, Gladys R. Fulton, preceded her in death.
Survivors include a daughter, Jennifer (Shane) Poppell of Jesup; a son, Seth (Jeanne) Fenn of Jesup; parents, Onnie and Carolyn Yeomans of Jesup; five grandchildren, Caleb Poppell and fiancé Erin Howard, Bailey Fenn, Carson Poppell, Lacey Fenn and Alyssa Fenn; and two brothers, Kevin (Mandy) Yeomans of Jesup and Keith (Debbie) Yeomans of Odum.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Gardi Baptist Church with the Rev. Stanley Todd and the Rev. Randy Pruitt officiating. Interment will follow in Gardi Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be her family. Honorary pallbearers will be the staffs of Harborview and Hospice of South Georgia.
Family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Nell Ogden
Jesup--Dorothy Nell Ogden, 99, of Jesup died March 29, 2022.
The Wayne County native was a member of Piney Grove Church of God and a homemaker. She was best known for her cooking and her abilities as a seamstress and her love of home and celebrating holidays.
She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas J. “T.J.” Ogden; son, Raymond Ogden; and grandson, Doug Ogden.
Survivors include two daughters, Ann O. Richardson of Fernandina Beach, Florida, and Jane Ogden of Kennesaw; two sisters, Eleanor McGuire of Leesburg, Florida, and Sheila (Jerry) Jones of Odum; two grandchildren, Micah Richardson of Colonial Heights, Virginia, and Mandy Yeomans of Jesup; and four great-grandchildren, Madison, Weston, Reese and Jaxon.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 1, at 4 p.m. at Piney Grove Church of God with Pastor Richard Dobson officiating. Interment will be in the Piney Grove Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family.
Family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be made to Piney Grove Church of God or Piney Grove Cemetery Trust, P.O. Box 404, Odum, GA 31555.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.