Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978
Betty Grace Powers
Betty Grace Powers, 66, of Jesup and Jacksonville, Fla., diedNov. 7, 2006. The Wayne County native had lived in Jacksonville the past few years. She was predeceased by her son, Danny Powers. Survivors include a daughter, Rhonda Williamson of Jacksonville; a companion, Chip Chamness of Jacksonville; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Melba and Corey Guest, Ruth and Brett Burkhalter and Maxine Looper, all of Jesup, and Mary Douberly of Waynesboro; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Howard and Patsy Johnson of Augusta and Larry Johnson of Jesup; a grandson, Danny Powers of Jesup; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside funeral services were held Saturday from Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. George Moxley officiating. Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Ray Thompson
Robert Ray Thompson, 70, of Jesup diedNov. 7, 2006, of injuries sustained in a robbery. The Nassau County, Fla., native had lived in Wayne County the past 25 years. He was a retired dairy farm worker. He was predeceased by his wife, Gladys Miller. Survivors include several sons and daughters and two brothers, Edwin Thompson of Blackshear and Leonard Thompson of Callahan, Fla. Funeral services will be held Nov. 10 at the Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. George Moxley officiating. iIntermentwas in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Johnny Manuel, David Harper, David Owens, Reggie Owens, Kenny Dyal, Newell Manning and Raul Almanza Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ricky Olon Edenfield
Ricky Olon Edenfield, 52, of Bradenton, FLa., diedOct. 27, 2006. He was bornin Jesup and moved to Bradenton from Atlanta in December of 2000. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He was predeceased by his father, Edward L. Edenfield. He is survived by his companion, David Ronan of Bradenton; mother, Geraldine Edenfield of Jesup; sisters, Sandra Cravey, Penny Jackson and Polly Steverson of Jesup; and brother, Douglas Edenfield of Jesup. A private family service was held. Brown and Sons Funeral Homes of Bradenton was in charge of arrangements.
Janie Varina Strickland
Janie Varina (Henderson) Strickland, 82, diedNov. 7, 2006, at Satilla Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. She was a native of Ware County but had lived in Bacon and Wayne counties before moving back to Waycross 25 years ago. She was a daughter of the late William James Henderson and Effie Mae Strickland Henderson. She was marriedto the late Wallie Alford Strickland. She was a member of the Nelson Greene Center. Survivors include her nine children and their spouses, Martha Ann and Donald Murphree of Calhoun, Barbara Sue Patterson of Waycross, John and Becky Strickland of Alma, William and Susan Strickland of Hinesville, James Michael Strickland of Darien, Rose Strickland of Douglas, Diane and Denver Ratliff of Waycross, Janet and Charlie Webber of Waycross and Russell Strickland and his special friend, Brenda, of Mershon; a stepson and his wife, Pete and Diane Strickland of Ferndale, Wash.; 24 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Martha and Melvin Harper of Waycross and Nella Mackey of Sumter, S.C.; a brother and sister-in-law, Morris and Naomi Henderson of Waycross; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Friday at the Music Funeral Home Chapel. A graveside service was held Friday at the Thompson Cemetery in Wayne County. The family received friends at the funeral home Thursday evening.
Larry D. Hanks
Larry D. Hanks, 55, of Jesup diedMarch 16, 2007, after an extended illness. The Bleckley County native had lived in Wayne County for 20 years. He was a retired instructor-principal with Wayne Service Center and co-owner and operator of TLC Day Care for 15 years of Jesup. He was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church and a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving during the Vietnam era. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Pam Graham Hanks of Jesup; three daughters, Traci Burkhalter and Nicki Smith, both of Jesup, and Marci McKinnon of Schofield, Wis.; his mother, Loretta Jean Ball of Bristol, Tenn.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Wayne and Janice Ball and Johnny and Debra Ball, all of Bristol, Tenn.; sister and brother-in-law, Darlene and Richard Clark of Bristol, Tenn.; a special aunt, Janie Browoski of Jesup; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held March 19 from Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Dennie Waters, the Rev. Vann Dempsey and the Rev. Jim Mitchell officiating. iIntermentwas in the George Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Brian Smith, Mitch Westberry, Phillip Brantley, Seth Fenn, Timmy Boatwright and Tyler Smith. Honorary pallbearers were the staff and consumers from Wayne Service Center. Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Charlene Williams Mattson
Charlene Williams Mattson, 58, of Odum diedMarch 18, 2007 in Hospice of Savannah after an extended illness. The Wayne County native was a Baptist and former cashier with Friendly Express No. 1 of Jesup. She was predeceased by her parents, Marvin and Gussie Williams, and a brother, Henry Williams. Survivors include a daughter, Stephenia Mattson of Savannah; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Randy and Jeanne Williams and Dennis Williams of Odum; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. March 24 from Spring Grove Cemetery. Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Doris S. Parks
Doris S. Parks, 82, of Jesup passed away March 15, 2007, at her residence. She was a Wayne County native and a dedicated charter member of New Bethel Baptist Church. Raised on a farm in the Empire Community, she continued farming until 1976. She retired from Wayne Memorial Hospital after 20 years of service as the supervisor in the Central Sterile Supply Department. She received the Empire Community Committee Award in 1999. She was an avid gardener and was known for the hundreds of flowers and trees that she cultivated with her love for farming. A dedicated and devoted mother of six children and the grandmother of nine, the most recent addition being a new great-granddaughter, she proudly displayed a picture of her holding the newborn baby. She gave unselfishly to those in need and encircled her family with love and kindness. In recent years none of her children was more attentive and devoted to her than her faithful son, Jimmy Scott Parks. He inherited his mother’s unselfishness as he gave of his time and energy to give her the personal care and comfort she needed as her health slowly declined. The family wishes to publicly thank him for his undying love and faithfulness as he became her primary caregiver and continued to give her care for more than 30 years. “Thank you, Scotty, from your entire family. We love you and will always be grateful to you for everything you did for our mama,” said a family spokesman. Ms. Parks lived and believed just as the song says, “God will take care of you.” She loved God and taught all of her children to love God. She lived her faith and their lives have been enriched because she did. She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Agnes Scott; a sister, Mildred Wedincamp; and brothers, Athen and Othel Scott. Survivors include two daughters and a son-in-law, Sue Nell and Jimmy Barber of Jesup and Judy P. Denison of Warner Robins; four sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Jamie Parks, Jimmy Scott Parks, and Randy and Jackie Parks, all of Jesup, and Ricky and Connie Parks of Hinesville; a brother, Jinks Scott of Jesup; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held March 18 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dennie Waters, the Rev. Jim Mitchell and the Rev. Tommy Sikes officiating. iIntermentwas in the Jesup City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were grandsons Jody Denison, Josh Parks, Luke Parks, Jimmy Strickland, Thomas Harrison and Richard Harris. Honorary pallbearers were Larry Dorsey, Ron Wasdin, Ronnell and Nell Roberson, Floyd and Jackie Murray, Carl and Ann Lane, Carol King, Harry Denison, Travis Steedley, Mary Mitchell, Gayle Scott, Roswell Murphy and all members of the New Bethel Baptist Church. Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lila Groover Nettle
Lila Groover Nettles, 84, of Jesup diedMarch 19, 2007, in Beverly Health and Rehabilitation after an extended illness. The Tatt-nall County native had lived in Wayne County most of her life and attended First United Methodist Church of Jesup. She was predeceased by her husband, Willie Nettles; a son, Frank Hendrix; and a daughter, Doris Dowd. Survivors include her daughter, Joan and Kenny Miller of Ellabell; one sister, Rosie Henderson of Panama City, Fla.; one brother, Alfred Groover of Jesup; 17 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday from Ritch Cemetery with the Rev. Henry Bass officiating. Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday from the funeral home prior to graveside services. Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Ellis Lane
Robert Ellis Lane, 59, of Brunswick, diedMarch 15, 2007, in Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick. He was a native of Ware County and was raised in Wayne County before moving to Glynn County 28 years ago. He was a member of the Glyndale Baptist Church but had attended Cornerstone Baptist Church. He was a member of Carpenters and Millwright Union Local No. 865 in Brunswick. His hobby was fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Ellis and Lizzie Lane; a brother, George Lane; and two sisters, Gail Lane Spell and Merlene Lane. Survivors are his wife, Louise Morris Lane of Brunswick; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Nicole Lane of Brunswick; two daughters and sons-in-law, Michelle Lane and Vernon Bessing of Waynesville and Melissa Lane and Buddy Toler of Brunswick; five brothers, L.M. Lane, Henry Lane and Gene Lane all of Jesup, Jimmy Lane of Fernandina, Fla. and Wayne Lane of Newport, Va.; two sisters, Annette Lane Moseley and Eloise Lane Earhardt both of Jesup; nine grandchildren, Desiree Leeann Kenne, Ashley Brooke Toler, Nikki Marie Toler, Devon Bryce Lane, Aaliyah Nicole Bessing and Joshua K. Breland, all of Jesup, Jamie Toler of Atlanta, and Chelsea Nichole Bessing and Bridgette Mechelle Bessing both of Waynesville; and many more nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Sunday in the chapel of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. John Horton and the Rev. Jeffrey Bledsoe officiating. Internment followed in Little Creek Cemetery in Gardi. Active pallbearers were James “Buddy” Toler, Vernon C. Bessing Jr., Kenny Lane, Billy Lane, Richard Morris, Wayne Moseley Jr., Joseph Moseley, Charlie Lane, Bert Earhardt and Lee Lane. Honorary pallbearers were Michael Butler, Dr. Lana Skelton and members of Carpenters and Millwright Local No. 865. The family request contributions to the American Heart Association. Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Ellen (Conine) Waters
Mary Ellen (Conine) Waters, 88, of Jesup, wife of the late Melvin C. Waters, diedMarch 15, 2007 at her residence. She was bornAug. 19, 1918 in rural Clinch County. She moved to Lanier County, where she spent most of her childhood. She was the daughter of the late James David Conine and the late Minnie Joyce Conine. She graduated from the University of Georgia and taught school in Cairo, Fitzgerald and Waycross before moving to Douglas in the 1950s. She retired after having taught in Coffee County approximately 30 years. She and her husband were members of First Presbyterian Church in Douglas. Survivors include a son, Michael Melvin Waters of Jesup; four grandchildren, Jason Redding Waters, Jacob Ryan Waters, Joshua Ray Waters and Kali Ashton Waters, all of Jesup; a sister, Martha Nell Thomas of Atlanta; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Douglas with the Rev. Jim Elliott officiating and Randy Braswell, pianist, providing music for the prelude and postlude. Soloist Jonathan Sweat of Jesup sang “Come Morning” and “Let’s Meet By The River.” Entombment followed in Douglas City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Joe Atkinson, Pat Cannon, David Gibbs, Jerome Moore, Sam Tift, Howard Touchton and Rand Vickers. Members of the Retired Teachers Association served as honorary pallbearers. Sims Funeral Home of Douglas was in charge of arrangements.
Benjamin R. Harris
Benjamin R. “Ben” Harris, 37, of Jesup diedMay 11, 2007. The Wayne County native was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Walter Lindell and John Henry and Ida Harris. Survivors include his wife, Wendy Warren Harris of Jesup; a daughter, Kymberlee Harris of Jesup; a stepson, Bradley Crawford of Jesup; his mother and stepfather, Joan and John Wentworth of Jesup; his father and stepmother, David and Stacy Harris of Jesup; a sister, Elizabeth Smith of Jesup; a brother, Terry Taylor of Jesup; a stepsister, Leah Hughes of Ludowici; a former stepfather, Darvin Taylor of Jesup; maternal grandparents, Louise L. and Cliff Carter of Jesup; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service were held May 15 from Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating. iIntermentwas in the Jesup City Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Terry Taylor, Jim Knight, Tommy Reddish, Ferris Moody, Phillip Murray and Chet O’Quinn. Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Theresa Elaine McArthur
Theresa Elaine McArthur passed away May 12, 2007, at Wayne Memorial Hospital after a long-term battle with cancer. She was bornJuly 27, 1959 in Marietta but lived most of her life in Waycross and Bacon County. She was the daughter of Geneva Boyett Bacon and Don Kirkland. She was employed by Okefenokee Technical College as a secretary for 28 years. She was a member of Lee’s Chapel Baptist Church in Alma. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Sam McArthur; their three daughters and one son-in-law, Tammy, Christy, Samantha and Lester Lee; five grandchildren, Darrell, Brandon, Leah, Alexis, and Cassidy; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Tim and Jerri Kirkland and Chris Kirkland; her nephew, Ridge Kirkland; and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial service will be held today (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. at Lee’s Chapel Church in Alma. All who wish to attend may contact the immediate family for directions. Music’s Funeral Home of Waycross will handle flowers.
Johnnie Clinton NeSmith
Johnnie Clinton NeSmith, 54, of Waycross, formerly of Tifton, diedMay 11, 2007, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla. He was bornJuly 11, 1952, in Tifton to Eva Mae Walden NeSmith of Tifton and the late Jack NeSmith. He served in the U.S. Army and had retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation, where he was a bridge inspector. A Mason, he was a member of the Waycross Masonic Lodge F&AM;, the Lions Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed fishing and socializing with friends. In addition in his mother, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Amy and David Ott of Jacksonville, Fla., and Sandy and Kevin Wolfe of Jesup; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Wallace and Evelyn NeSmith of Enigma and Billy and Carol NeSmith of Tifton; and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) in the chapel of Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors in Tifton with the Rev. Pete Jones officiating. Burial, with full Masonic rites, will follow at Oakridge Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to the Waycross Masonic Lodge. Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.
