Area Obituaries

Mr. James Eschol (J.E.) Riner, 83, of Hazlehurst, died March 20 at Jeff Davis Hospital. Mr. Riner was born Sept. 23, 1938, in Jeff Davis County. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eschol Graham Riner and Colleen Anderson Riner, and sisters, Linda Hinnant and JoAnn Beitz. He was a master mechanic for over…

Ms. Cheryl Claxton Bullard, 64, of Hazlehurst, died March 12 at her residence. Ms. Bullard was born Nov. 23, 1957, in Jeff Davis County. She is preceded in death by her father, Allen Daniel Claxton and brother, Philip Claxton, daughter, Shelly Wooten. Ms. Cheryl was a homemaker, enjoyed fishing and loved her family dearly. She…

Graveside services for Mrs. Cattie Lee Hodges, who died Feb. 25, were held March 10 at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Lumber City. The Rev. Robert Haywood gave words of comfort. Pallbearers were family and friends Mrs. Hodges was born on June 13, 1934, in North Carolina. Her parents are the late Beatrice M. Leach (mother),…

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…