Troy Fore Jr.
Gardi—Troy Fore Jr., 79, died June 27, 2024, after an extended illness.
The Wayne County native was born into the beekeeping family which started Altamaha Apiaries in its iconic building on Highway 341 South. Working alongside his father, he mastered the agricultural basics of beekeeping and later represented his family business on the national stage.
After graduating from Jesup High School in 1962, he attended the University of Georgia and eventually returned to Wayne County to establish his own Fore’s Honey Farms in 1969, following in his father’s footsteps while adding adventurous and creative twists. In the 1970s, he and his family practiced “migratory beekeeping” by trucking their hives to North Dakota annually and even moving them by boat to Abaco in the Bahamas to pollinate the cucumber fields.
Driven by a keen intellect and an interest in public policy, he began to explore other interests. These led to a lifelong friendship and an added career when Elliott Brack, editor and publisher of the fledgling Wayne County Press, offered him a job. His success was evidenced by his later assuming the role of acting editor and later associate editor. In 1977, when The Jesup Sentinel and The Wayne County Press became one newspaper, The Press-Sentinel, he was named associate editor and then editor.
Merging his expertise in both beekeeping and journalism, he launched The Speedy Bee, a trade newspaper with a national circulation devoted to beekeepers and their issues. In 1991 he branched further as a joint founder and partner of Glynn Press Inc., publishers of both FLETC’s Glynco Observer and Jekyll’s Golden Islander.
In 1988 he assumed the position of executive director of the American Beekeepers Federation. Working in this capacity until around 2009, he advocated for the industry before Congressional committees and hearings, organized and spoke frequently at national and state conferences and conventions, and worked with individual policy makers to inform them of issues plaguing beekeepers. With the threat of Africanized bees, he led an investigative expedition to Latin America. He was also instrumental in establishing the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, a charitable research and education foundation to support the preservation of honeybees.
He was a 50-plus-year member of Jesup First Baptist Church, a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Golden Rulers Sunday School Class, and a leader of the Men’s Tuesday Morning Prayer Group. He was also a member of the 1980 Leadership Georgia Class and the Lions Club.
He was predeceased by his parents, Nancy Delk Fore and Troy Fore Sr., and brothers-in-law, Bill Davis and Roy Phillips.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ruth Westberry Fore, whom he “loved unconditionally for 59 years”; two sons, Troy Howard (Jeanne) Fore III of Atlanta, and Andy (Lisa) Fore of Jesup; four grandchildren, Teagan Grace Fore and Turner Jackson Fore of Atlanta, and Courtney Vickers and Caitlin Hopkins of Jesup; two sisters, Shirley (Forest) Fore Davis Williams of Valdosta and Christine Fore Phillips Bennett of Brunswick; a sister-in-law, Judy Westberry Harper of Jesup; brother-in-law, Henry (Cyndi) Westberry of Statesboro; and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were held June 30 at Jesup First Baptist Church with Pastor Brooks Haddock and Dr. Felix Haynes officiating.
Honorary pallbearers were all ordained deacons of First Baptist Church and the Golden Ruler Sunday School class.
The family will hold a private interment service at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1115, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Janice McBee Humphrey
Jesup—Janice McBee Humphrey, 79, of Jesup, died June 26, 2024, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
The Wayne County native was a member of Jesup Church of God and was a retired employee with Walmart in Jesup. She enjoyed working with her plants, going to yard and estate sales and staying at the beaches.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James “Bud” and Gilberta McBee; a sister, Sharon Tyre; and a brother, Kenneth McBee.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Janet (Mike) Aspinwall of Jesup and Angie (Wally) Prince of Guyton; a son and daughter-in-law, Sammy (Julia) Humphrey of Jesup; grandchildren, Christy (David) Wood, Brandi (Chad) Raburn, Kelly (Art) Hernandez, Jordan (Justin) Evans, Christopher (Tori) Humphrey and Nathan (Catlin) Humphrey; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Jamey (Gary) Tyre of Jesup; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held June 28 from Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Pastor Scott Hatten officiating. Interment was in the Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were members of her family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ava Nell Peterson Davis
Jesup—Ava Nell Peterson Davis, 84, of Jesup died June 27, 2024.
The Jasper, Florida, native had lived all of her adult life in Wayne County and was a member of Memorial Baptist Church and a homemaker. She enjoyed reading and growing her flowers.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Joel Wiley “J. W.” Davis; her daughter, Felicia Ann Davis; her grandson, Micah Steedley; a brother, Sam David Peterson; and a great-grandson, Sven Brenden.
Survivors include her daughter, Debbie (Walter) Jones of Jesup; two sons, Joey (Cindy) Davis of Appomattox, Virginia and Tony (Betty) Davis of Jesup; four sisters, Myrna Lois Fales, Patsy Robertson, Judy Steedley and Rose Benefield; three brothers, Raymond, Julian and Winston Peterson; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held July 1 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Pastor Wayne Manning Jr. officiating. Private family interment followed immediately after the service in George Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her grandchildren.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Wayne Stanfield
Hortense—Wayne Stanfield, 75, of Hortense and formerly of Scre-ven, died June 21, 2024.
The Wayne County native was a farmer, a member of Ritch Baptist Church, a master carpenter, and a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Vietnam Conflict. He received two Bronze Service Stars, two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Louise Stanfield; brothers, Dwight Stanfield, Cameron Stanfield and Parnell Stanfield; and a son, Michael Strait.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Sandra Collins Stanfield of Hortense; a son, Joshua Stanfield of St. Simons Island; a daughter, Shiloh Strait of Darien; brothers, Phillip Stanfield and Larry Stanfield of Screven; a sister, Betty Jean Murphy of Jesup; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-life services with military honors was held June 30 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with family officiating.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Patricia O’Dell Keith
Jesup—Patricia O’Dell Keith, 87, affectionately known by many as ‘Mema” or “Aunt Pat,” died peacefully on June 28, 2024, at home surrounded by her loving family under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
A resident of Jesup for the past 72 years, she was born Nov. 1, 1936, to the late Garland O’Dell Sherrod and Mary Kathryn Kegley Sherrod. She spent her early years in Jacksonville, Florida, before relocating with her family to Jesup, where she graduated from Jesup High School in 1955 and then, shortly after, marrried her sweetheart, Nubbin, on June 26, 1955.
She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She devoted herself to the care of her family and worked tirelessly to make sure that their lives were lived to the fullest by volunteering with numerous children’s organizations, including the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
She loved and was loved. She was considered a “mother to many” within the community and her doors were always open to someone in need.
She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church, Jesup, where she was a member of the Harmony Sunday School Class and also volunteered regularly in several different capacities including working in the nursery.
Her favorite times were spent fishing with her late husband, David Earl “Nubbin” Keith, or cooking and caring for those she loved.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, JoAnn Boatright and Kay Keith and husband, Jerry; granddaughter, Breann Kathryn Apler; and son-in-law, Arthur “Art” Anderson.
Survivors include two daughters, Suzanne (Joe) McPipkin of Jesup and Kathy Keith Anderson of Jesup; two sons, Donnie Keith of Jesup and Kyle (Michele) Keith of Jesup; a special niece that was more like a daughter, McKenzie Buxton; grandchildren, Jody (Chris) Bryson, Kelli (Andy) Lamb, Ashley (Andy) Beaver, Miki Anderson, Josh Keith, Kaden Keith and fiancé, Taylor Collins, Kyler Keith, Kymble Keith and Aven Keith; a longtime caregiver, Lucy Dart; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held July 1 at First Baptist Church, Jesup with Dr. Felix Haynes and Rev. David Bohannon officiating.
Interment followed at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Dell Keith, Kevin Keith, Kenny Keith, David Earl Keith, Big David Keith and Keith Boatright.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Harmony Sunday School Class and Ida Strickland.
Remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd. Jesup, GA 31545.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Anthony Eugene Blocker
Jesup—Anthony Eugene “Andy” Blocker, 48, died June 27, 2024, at Memorial Health University in Savannah after a sudden illness.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was born on Nov. 12, 1975. He was a service technician at Beverly Tire and Oil for 27 years, and he enjoyed playing golf, fishing, singing karaoke and dancing. He was the life of the party, and he loved joking around and having fun more than anything else.
He loved his family and enjoyed the time they spent together more than anything else.
He was preceded in death by his father, Rufus Hulan Blocker.
Survivors include his two daughters, Brittany (Jesse) Garcia of Jesup and Summer Blocker of Glennville; two sons, Anthony Blocker Jr. of Jesup and Andrew Blocker of Jesup; his mother, Kathy Roberts and fiancé Michael Howard; brothers, Michael Blocker and Travis (Lisa) Blocker, all of Jesup; 13 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services were held June 30 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup. Interment will be private.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Rosalind Jean Kollock Johnson
Odum—Rosalind Jean Kollock Johnson, 81, died June 25, 2024, at Wayne Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.
She was born on May 3, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Manuel DeSilva and Irene Kollock. She spent her early years on Long Island before relocating to Savannah in 1982. She moved to Bryan County and then North Carolina for a few years before moving back to Georgia, eventually settling in Metter in 2008.
She received a bachelor’s degree from Savannah State University and worked as a special education teacher throughout her entire teaching career, retiring nearly 20 years ago after teaching at Lanier Elementary in Bryan County for many years.
In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, watching television, collecting lions and tiger figurines, and she always loved flowers—especially roses.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Victoria Bethea; her grandson, Keith Linton; a sister, Sarah Thomas; and brothers, Byron Marshall, George Fitzgerald, Johnny Johnson, Nelson Marshall, Ronald Marshall and Junior Marshall.
Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Joseph Johnson of Odum; a sister, Cornelia Reed of Charlotte, North Carolina; five children, Valerie (Richard) Roberts of Savannah, Manuel Marshall of Savannah, Jason Johnson of Metter, Barry Johnson of Savannah and Cookie Johnson of Brooklyn, New York; grandchildren, Shanika Marshall, Ebony (Ashley) Linton, Crystal Bethea, Bryan Bethea, Chevon Shellman, Nicole Roberts, J’Shaun Johnson, Jaliya Johnson, Jason Johnson Jr., Alexis Chandler, J’Annae E. Davis and Zamari Lewis; and a host of other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Funeral services will be held July 6 at 11 a.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.