Howard-Jones
Della Jean McLain
Jesup—Della Jean McLain, 80, died at home July 12, 2022.
A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, she was born on Aug. 5, 1941, in Jesup to the late Orian and Melba Grantham Simmons. She worked for many years as a store clerk and always enjoyed joking and having fun with the customers. She loved watching sports on television. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan, although she loved baseball, football and basketball equally.
She was a longtime member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She enjoyed a good laugh, working word searches and drinking Pepsi.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Harold Simmons, and her grandson, Ryan Brown.
Survivors include her two daughters and sons-in-law, Charlotte and Norman Franklin and Misty and Thomas Flowers all of Jesup; one son, Mack McLain and fiancé, Tammy Lynn, of Jesup; one sister and brother-in-law, Lanette and Dan McAlister of Jesup; grandchildren, Brittanie (Trent) Chappell, Walker and Weston Franklin and Josie Brown; great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Preston and Parker; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended-family members.
Graveside funeral services were held July 14 in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rinehart & Sons
Sarah Hawkins Paul
Jesup—Sarah Hawkins Paul, 84, of Jesup went to her heavenly home on July 17, 2022.
The Wayne County native and former resident of Long County was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church and loved her Adult Sunday School Class. She was an essential part in the kitchen ministry with the bereaved families, Wednesday-night suppers, socials, and wedding and baby showers, even serving her brothers and sisters in Christ from a wheelchair.
As a retired teacher who was awarded teacher of the year several times, she engaged her students by piquing their interests in science with all kinds of “critters” in the classroom.
She was preceded in death by her “forever grandson,” Joshua David “J.D.” Paul; her parents, Dr. Lewis and Ruth Hawkins; a brother, Lewis Hawkins; and a brother-in-law, John Hulett.
Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Harold Paul of Jesup; two sons, Steven (Dena) Paul of Blackshear and David (Chrisine) Paul of Jesup; two grandchildren, Blane (Carson) Paul of Statesboro and Hannah Grace Paul of Jesup; a great-grandson, Baylor Paul; a sister, Cindy Hulett of Hazlehurst; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration-of-life service was held July 20 at Calvary Baptist Church with Brother Vann Dempsey and Brother Pete Boyd officiating. Interment followed in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were George Moody, Fred Holland, Bobby Hughes, Mike Highsmith, Gary Parks, Scott Moseley, John Rogers, Chris Carey and Carl Rozier. Honorary pallbearers were her Sunday school class members and Wayne County retired teachers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 9, Jesup, GA 31598.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Aubrey Tillman
Jesup—Aubrey Tillman died at his home in Jesup on July 12, 2022, at the age of 88.
As a proud Air Force veteran, he served his country for 28 years. He enlisted in the Air Force and retired as chief master sergeant after a long and decorated career in the Security Police field.
Following his military career, he worked for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for 16 years.
He will be remembered for his fierce devotion to his family, particularly his wife, Betty, who was the love of his life. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. His passion and integrity to those he loved was unwavering, according to his family, who said the jokes and stories he loved to tell will live on forever. It brought him immense joy to share stories about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, living for and through his family.
He loved to shop and was a smart dresser. His other faithful companion was his music. His love for guitars began with the Singing Cowboy guitar his grandmother bought him when he was 5 years old. At 16, he and three friends formed The Down Yonder Boys and played around the local area and on the radio. He claims he was throwing scarves to the girls long before Elvis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arbie and Delma Tillman, and brothers Donald Tillman, John Tillman and Bill Tillman.
Survivors include his wife Betty of 68 years; their daughters, Jean (John) Welt of Gulf Breeze, Florida, Ronda (Dell) Stephens of Odum and Ann (Bill) Clingempeel of Huntsville, Alabama; four grandchildren, Christopher, David, Stephanie and Michael; 11 great-grandchildren (who will cherish their times with Papa); his sister, Lavonne Dent of Odum; and many nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-life services were held July 15 in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with full military honors and the Rev. Vann Dempsey officiating and family speaking. Active pallbearers were grandsons SFC Christopher Clingempeel, Lt. Col. David Welt, Maj. Michael Welt, Dell Stephens, Doug Tillman, Al Dent, Carey Martin and Buddy Martin. Honorary pallbearers were nieces and nephews, Dr. Lance Hendrix, Courtney Hall and Hospice of South Georgia.
His family wishes to extend a special thanks to the dedicated staff of Hospice of South Georgia for their unwavering compassion and care during his last days. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be donated in his memory to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31546.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Out of Town
John Major Harris II
Acworth—John Major Harris II, 65, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, died quickly and painlessly July 10, 2022.
A cancer survivor for 13 years, he will be lovingly remembered as the eternal optimist by his “wonderful” wife, Misty; his daughter, Miki; his sons, Major and Ben; his granddaughters, Chelsea and Chloe; his brother, Butch; and his sisters, Pearl and Mary.
His many, many friends will cherish their memories of happy times together with him for many years to come, his family said.
Born to parents Pierce Astor and Ercelle Harris in Jesup on Nov. 15, 1956, he was a decorated swimmer and went to Wayne County High School.
He joined the Navy in 1977 and was appointed to the rate of Signalman First Class. Following his service to his country, he moved to Athens, where he began his career building numerous structures where people still live, work and play. In 1985, following a move to Marietta, he met the love of his life, Misty. Together, they raised their two sons in Acworth, where he lived the happiest days of his life.
His love for travel was eclipsed only by his love of fishing. He always put his family first and never withheld love, according to his family, who said he was always quick to offer assistance and an encouraging word.
He was laid to rest at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.winkenhoferpineridgefuneralhome.com.
Charles E. Williams
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—Charles E. Williams, 84, died July 14, 2022, at his bro-ther’s home, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on Feb. 7, 1938, in Odum, he was the son of the late Jim and Anna Cribbs Williams.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He was a family man, an avid truck driver, a carpet installer for Williams Carpet and a lifelong farmer.
He was predeceased by one son, Charles E. Williams Jr.; a great-grandson, Levi McLamb; a sister-in-law, Margaret Williams; brothers, J.W. and Ray; and sisters, Gloria Williams, Lee Williams, Trudy Brown, Elizabeth Davis and Joyce Johnson.
Survivors include his daughter, Linda K. Williams of Longs, South Carolina; his brother and best friend, Trevis Williams of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; sisters, Cheryl (Tony) Garvin of Hollywood, South Carolina, Diane (Kenny) Evors of Jesup, Johnnie Bennett of Mount Pleasant; nine grandchildren, Natasha, Nicole, Charlie, Phillip, Ryan, Dustin, Lacie, Patrick and Frankee; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a special niece and nephew, Tayler and Bubba; a stepdaughter, Patsy (Tim) Hopkins; and step-grandchildren, Somer, Crystal, Alexis and Kent.
Funeral services were held July 17 in Lee Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Bellamy Cemetery in Longs.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Veterans Welcome Home and Resource Center, 421 Hwy 57 South, Little River, SC 29566.
A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.
Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach was in charge of arrangements.
Royal
Ronald Carter
Beach Park, Illinois—Ronald Carter, 69, died on June 30, 2022 at his home in Beach Park, Illinois.
He was born March 4, 1953, in Jesup to Claude Fillmore and Ruthie Carter.
He moved to Evanston, Illinois, when he was a young man. He married Sheila·Kirksey. They were blessed with three children—Rhonda, Darnell and Marcus. He worked 16 years for Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He and Sheila eventually moved back to Jesup, where they started a successful painting business—Carter's Professional Painting.
He wore many hats. He was a husband, father, grandpa (aka Papa), uncle, brother, cousin, friend and entrepreneur who enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his seven grandchildren. He believed in hard work and taught his children the same. He was very competitive, and you could always catch him with a lottery scratch-off ticket in his hand. When he wasn't running the family painting business, he loved to bowl, play cards at family gatherings, play bingo and garden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Fillmore and Ruthie Carter, and siblings, Benjamin Fillmore, Theresa Ann (Fillmore) Walcott, Ada Viola Fillmore, John Carter, Leon Carter, Clyde Carter Jr., Lillian Nails and Kensley Carter.
Survivors include his wife, Sheila Carter; three children, Rhonda (Johnny) Scott, Marcus Carter of Beach Park and Darnell (Shunta) Carter of Atlanta; grandchildren, Cambria, Aaliyah, Jordan, Tyler, Kadyn, Mason and Shaun; a godson, Tyrell; siblings, Felicia Fair, Shirley Jacob, Claude Fillmore Jr., Charlie Fillmore, Maurice Fillmore, Dellrea (Michael) McCray, Dee Fillmore, Florine Wilson, JaQuinta Lewis, Betty (James) West, Janie Golden and Barbara Ann Carter; and a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, other extended family and friends.
Funeral services were held July 9 at the Odum City Cemetery.
Royal Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.