Area Obituaries

Ms. Jean Newman Steptoe, 87, of Denton, died March 13 at Memorial Hospital in Savannah. Ms. Steptoe was born Nov. 1, 1934 in Jeff Davis County. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elias Newman and Marie Smith Newman, husband, Edward L. Steptoe, son, Ricky Steptoe and brother, J.M. Newman. She was retired shipping…

Mrs. Joyce Roberts West, 88, of Hazlehurst, passed peacefully in her sleep March 6 at The Landings of Douglas. Mrs. West was born Feb. 21, 1934, in Athens. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 65 years, Buford West, her daughter, Melissa West Deen, brother, Edgar (Bubba) Roberts, sister, Pat Roberts…

Mr. William (Bill) Lamar Clements, 66, of Hazlehurst, died Feb. 25. Mr. Clements was born in Telfair County. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Lee Clements and Lula Mae Dyal Clements Spivey, and sister and brother-in-law, Shirley (Bernard) Spivey. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, Carpenter and attended The Church…

Mrs. Frances Tapley Floyd, 81, of Port Wentworth, passed away March 5 at her home. Ms. Frances was born in Jeff Davis County to the late John Tapley and Juanita Riner Tapley. She was also preceded in death by grandson, John Michael Cothren and siblings Johnnie Findley, Georgie “Genelle” Ray, Sammie Tapley, Troy Tapley and…

Mr. Mitchell “Mitch” Dale Humphrey, 77 of Hazlehurst, passed away March 4 at his residence after an extended illness. Born in Harriman, Tenn., on Oct. 25, 1944, he had lived in Hazlehurst for the past 50 years. Mr. Humphrey served in the U.S. Navy from Aug. 14, 1962, – Feb. 24, 1966. After leaving the…

Ms. Christa Michele Waters, 52, of Hazlehurst, died Feb. 28 at Jeff Davis Hospital. Ms. Waters was born Sept. 6, 1969, in Jeff Davis County. She is preceded in death by her father, Thurman McLoon, brother, Bryan McLoon and maternal grandmother, Jewell Ray. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed crocheting and crafts. She loved her…

Mrs. Grace Harris Freeman died Aug. 3 at the home of Francis (Jimmie) Clements’ home. She was born March 30, 1942, in Telfair County to Tom and Mary McRae Harris. She was a life-long resident of Telfair County, where she attended Telfair County Schools. She was a faithful member of Love Temple House of Prayer…

Mr. Patrick (Rick) A. Rainey, of Hazlehurst, passed away Aug. 1. He was born April 20, 1965, in Hazlehurst and raised there all his life. He attended Jeff Davis Elementary and High School. Patrick was married for a brief time to Tonya Ware. To this union one blessing was added: Patrick A. Rainey Jr. He…