James Thomas Flournoy
Jesup—James Thomas Flournoy, 79, affectionately known as, “Jimmy,” died suddenly on April 3, 2022, at home.
A resident of Jesup for the past 27 years and former resident of Hinesville, he was born on Sept. 8, 1942, in Ludowici to the late John “Johnnie” Flournoy and Alma Driggers Flournoy. He spent his early years in Long County and was a member of the 1961 Blue Tide state champion basketball team.
After graduation, he went to work for the railroad for a short period of time, after which he began what would become a lifelong career as an entrepreneur. He started out in construction and after a while found his niche as a paint contractor. Through hard work, strong determination and excellent customer service, his company, South Pro Paint, grew into a successful and thriving business, working alongside the top contractors all over Southeast Georgia.
In his younger years, he was a member of the Jaycees in Long County, and he was a charter member of Unity Church of God. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, and he loved watching NASCAR and the University of Georgia Bulldogs on television.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Jason Flournoy; a brother, John “Victor” Flournoy; a father-in-law, Vernon Lewis; and a sister-in-law, Jerri Flournoy.
Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Kim Lewis Flournoy of Jesup; children, Angel Jacquelyn Flournoy, Caleb Lewis Flournoy and James Tracy Flournoy, all of Jesup; siblings, Jakie (Conrad) Stelling of Macon, Barbara (Billy) Davis of Fairburn, Ohio, Sandi (Bruce) Ahlbrand of Port Charlotte, Florida, and Richard Flournoy of Cartersville; grandchildren, Lexi Flournoy (Justin) Richerzhagen and Rem Flournoy; great-grandchildren, Gunner and Blakely; a mother-in-law, Jackie Lewis of Jesup; a sister-in-law, Rhonda (Ralph) Yeomans; two brothers-in-law, Vernie (Danna) Lewis and Doug (Susan) Lewis, all of Jesup; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Graveside funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. in the New Hope Cemetery with Pastor Tommy Propes officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be James Perry Dent, Ray Thornton, Wayne Moxley, Grant Lewis, Jonathan Overholt, Kenny Bauer, Vic, Richie and Matt Flournoy and all staff members of South Pro Paint.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bryant Anthony Arrington
St. Simons Island—Bryant Anthony Arrington, 74, affectionately known as “Bry the computer guy,” died peacefully on April 1, 2022, at home under the care of his loving wife, Sherena, and Affinis Hospice.
He was born on March 30, 1948, in Whidbey Island, Washington State, to the late Albert Bryant Arrington and Vivian Lane Arrington. In his early years, he moved frequently while his father served in the Navy, finally settling in Kingsport, Tennessee, where he graduated from Lynn View High School. He continued his education at East Tennessee State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering. Shortly after graduation, he went to work for Western Electric in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he and his first wife, Soula, started a family. A few years later, he joined the computer revolution in California, opening his first business, Fantasy Electronics, but eventually joined Teknekron Corporation in Berkeley, possibly the world’s first technology-focused business incubator.
After being divorced a number of years, he met and married the love of his life, Sherena. After an extended honeymoon, traveling in their RV throughout the United States and Canada, the couple relocated back to Tennessee for several years to care for his elderly parents.
In 1999 the couple then moved to St. Simons Island, where he began working again, establishing his own computer service company and earning himself the nickname “Bry the computer guy.” His reputation as a hard worker and faithful friend made him a popular fellow. Some on Sea Island even fondly referred to him as their honorary mayor because he seemed to know almost everyone.
His faith in Jesus, which had been rekindled while caretaking his parents in Tennessee, grew ever stronger. He served the Lord faithfully at First Baptist in Brunswick as a Children’s Church teacher for several years. Later, as a member of St. Simons Community Church, he became a Good News Bible Club teacher and a mentor of several boys through the Glynn County Public School System. Over the last two years, he had been an active participant at Golden Isles Presbyterian Church.
He was a faithful and loving husband. He showed God’s love to others through his generosity and kind deeds. He often fixed up used computers simply to give away to those who could not afford to buy one, but he was quick to give God the credit for what he was able to do for others. In other community service, he also served on occasion as a Republican delegate or alternate in Glynn County and at Georgia GOP State Conventions.
Toward the very end of his life, he took up a new hobby of perfecting homemade pizza and had hopes of making sourdough bread. He survived stage 4 pancreatic cancer for two robust years of fruitful activity, ensuring that his elderly in-laws were set up for their long-term care needs. His final week, he said many good-byes to friends and family. In his last 20 minutes on this earth, he said, “It won’t be long now.” He passed over to glory with a smile suddenly parting his lips, surprise and delight on his face, and settled into his peaceful and final rest, his family said.
Survivors include his Christian soul mate of almost 35 years, Sherena Flowers Arrington of St. Simons Island; a daughter and son-in-law, Kristy and Clint Queen of Kernersville, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Garrison and Greg Queen; two sisters, Judy Wimbish of Kingsport, Tennessee, and Belinda (David) Carter of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; a father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Mary Flowers of Odum; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended- family members.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on April 16t in the Odum City Cemetery with Pastor Alex Brown of Golden Isles Presbyterian Church officiating.
The family will receive friends briefly before the services begin at the cemetery and will continue the celebration of life after the graveside services with a luncheon, with details to be announced at the service.
Remembrances may be made to any of the following: Golden Isles Presbyterian Church, 48 Hampton Point Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522; St. Simons Community Church – Missions Fund, 2700 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522; or CEF of Coastal Georgia (Good News Club), P.O. Box 3233, Brunswick, GA 31525. If opting instead to send flowers, send those to Howard & Jones Funeral Home.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jena Thornton Yoder
Jesup—Jena Thornton Yoder, 37, of Jesup was healed completely on April 2, 2022, and went to her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, her family said.
Her mission field began at home, loving her husband and rearing her children, and then continued to carry that Love into her church and community. She was born with the maternal instinct and loved to watch her children grow and explore the wonderful outdoors. She treasured the time she had with her family on camping trips or beach outings or just in their own yard.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Brenda Whitaker Thornton; her brother, Dan Thornton; grandparents, Dr. Bill and Bobbie Whitaker and Grady and Mary Ruth Thornton; uncles, Ronnie and Philip Whitaker; a father-in-law, Robert Yoder; and sisters-in-law, Rebekah and Laurie Yoder.
Survivors include her husband and soulmate of 13 years, Rod Yoder of Jesup; six dearly loved children, Cash, Karston, Lilly, Sofia, Caleb and Kampton Yoder; a father, Danny Thornton of Screven; sister, Elena (Daniel) Hill of Jesup; a brother, John (Crystal) Thornton of Screven; aunts, Charlie (Jim) McCann of Screven and Elaine (Leamon) Howard of John’s Island, South Carolina; an uncle, Donnie Whitaker of Savannah; a sister-in-love, Misty Spell Thornton of Baxley; nieces and nephews, Courtney Thornton and fiancé Matt Bales, Riley, Bailey and Gabe Thornton, and Jasper Hill; a great-aunt and adopted grandmother, Bonnie Thornton; a mother-in-love, Mary Lois Yoder; and cousins, Will (Elizabeth) McCann, Beau (Mariah) McCann, Lori Whitaker, Kristy Gose and Don Whitaker.
Funeral services were held April 6 at Jesup Church of God with Pastors Jesse DeClue and Scott Hatten officiating. Interment followed in the Lake Grace Mennonite Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were John and Riley Thornton, Daniel Hill, Will and Beau McCann, Ben, Chris and Nathan Yoder.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
William Thomas Raines
Monroe—William Thomas Raines, 92, of Monroe died March 31, 2022.
He was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was born on March 3, 1930, in Monroe County to the late George Thomas and Mamie Ruth Raines.
He was a 1948 graduate of Mary Persons High School. He worked for Georgia Natural Gas/Atlanta Gas Light for 43 years, including several years in Wayne County. He worked his way from service technician to vice president at retirement. Upon retiring, he enjoyed spending time with family and restoring old cars, especially his 1930 Model A.
He will be forever remembered for his kindness, generosity and, if you listened closely, his wonderfully dry sense of humor, his family said.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Gailya Rentz Raines.
Survivors include his three loving and devoted children, Sheryl (Jimmy) McHugh of Monroe, Tom Raines Jr. of Dacula, and Sandra (Chuck) Martino of Virginia; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary Calhoun of Monroe; in-laws, Wanda (Danny) Palmer of Maryland and Kline (Lana) Rentz of Louisiana; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family said it is “so very grateful” for the care received by wonderful caregivers throughout the years.
A memorial service was held April 3 at Harmony Grove United Methodist Church. Interment followed at Monroe Memorial Gardens in Forsyth. Flowers may be sent to Bill Head Funeral Home in Tucker or donations may be made to Harmony Grove UMC, 50 Harmony Grove Road, Lilburn, GA 30047.
Online condolences may be left at www.billheadfuneralhome.com.
Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
Exie Brinkley Chisholm
Exie Brinkley Chisholm died March 17, 2022, after a sudden illness.
A beautiful, vibrant and classy lady, she lived a life full of joy, her family said.
Born in Screven to Juil and Nevie Brinkley, she grew to be an entrepreneur, entertainer and encourager. She spent years selling real estate, owning a vitamin shop and an online store.
She pursued life with great vigor and touched many lives by her love. Her last gift was as an organ donor. She helped four people that she will never meet until Heaven, according to her family, who said, this world will have a great void with her absences, but Heaven is a much sweeter place.
She was preceded in death by both parents; one brother, Bobby Brinkley; and one sister, Katryna Hayes.
At 77 years of age, she still loved to dance with her husband, Vern Chisholm, and celebrated every moment of her three girls’ lives. Monique Cothern (Donna McCullough), Michelle Braswell and Monica Hewitt (Roy Hewitt) knew they were surrounded by her unconditional love and had her guidance through everyday situations.
Her grandchildren, Noah Cothern, Shelby Braswell, Sydney Braswell, Sophie Braswell, Hannah Wilkerson, Mallory Cline and Zoe Crow, called and visited every chance they got. She would brag for days about her grandchildren and their great accomplishments.
She delighted in her eight great-grandchildren, whom she loved deeply. She also loved her brothers and sisters, Jack Brinkley, Larry Brinkley, Zee (Marion) Mullis, Denny (Noel) Brinkley, Jimmy Brinkley and Jeff (Sandra) Brinkley, and sister-in-law Terry Brinkley.
She blended her family and added more love with Matthew Chisholm (Julie Chisholm) and Kristen Skvoretz (Matthew Skvoretz).
Many more relatives and family whom she enjoyed every day will deeply feel her absence.