Obituaries 01-04-24

January 03, 2024

TERRY "RABBIT HUNTER" KELLEY

Jan. 7, 1957-Jan. 1, 2024

Funeral services for Terry "Rabbit Hunter" Kelley, 66, of Buckatunna,

will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 from Buckatunna First

Baptist Church, with Dr. Terry Williams officiating. Visitation will be

from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 from Buckatunna First Baptist

Church.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at Revette

Cemtery in State Line.

Born in Jones County on Monday, Jan. 7, 1957 to Bobby G. Kelley and Mae

Jewell Revette, he was a member of Buckatunna Baptist Church. He was

retired as a Heavy Equipment Operator for T.K. Stanley, Inc.

He died on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 at his residence, with his loving wife

by his side.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 14 years, Gloria Hendry

Kelley of Buckatunna; his mother, Mae Jewell Revette of State Line; his

stepmother, Carolyn Kelley of Laurel; two daughters and a son-in-law,

Rachael and John Huffman of Jackson and Melissa Davis of Meridian,

Idaho; his stepchildren and their respective spouses, David Lofton of

Lafayette, La., Jon Welford and Lydia Marie Ross, both of Hattiesburg

and Mary and Lance Law of Petal; two brothers and a sister-in-law,

Charlie and Kathy Kelley of Waynesboro and Thomas Kelley of State Line;

his sister, Deonna Scarbrough of State Line; and 13 grandchildren,

Michael, Katie, Aliyah, Colsen, Melody, Karina, Aiden, Phoebe, Logan,

Penelope, Evoli, Tristan and Cade.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby G. Kelley.

Pallbearers will be Mackey Harrison, Jon Welford, Juice Mosley, John

Huffman, Lankford Coxwell and Lance Law. Honorary pallbearer will be Bob

West.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

MADELINE (EVANS) TEW

Nov. 25, 1942-Dec. 31, 2023

Graveside services for Madeline (Evans) Tew, 81, were conducted on

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 from Waynesboro Cemetery, with Rev. Jason Sehon

and Rev. Troy Hobson officiating.

Born in New Orleans on Nov. 25, 1942 to Maurice Evans and Lois Graser

Evans, she and her husband, Dwight Kimble Tew, just celebrated their

50th year of marriage.

A member of First Baptist Church of Waynesboro, she was an avid hunter

and fisher. She adored riding her horses, with some of her favorites

being Shakin' for Cash, who Madeline rode to a World Championship; and

Busted in Tijuana,who she rode to a Reserve Championship.

Madeline also loved spending time with her dog, Lilly. She enjoyed

working with her husband, Kimble, to decorate their home and farm. Most

of all, Madeline was a loving and generous friend to many and will be

fondly remembered.

She died on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.

She is survived by her husband, Kimble; and her sons and

daughter-in-law, Scott and Elizabeth Tew and Chad Willis. Madeline loved

and cherished her three grandchildren and their spouses, Harrison and

Jacqueline Tew, Hayden and Morgan Tew and Hunter and Sarah Tew, as well

as her great-grandson, Arthur Tew.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Lois; her son,

Michael Willis; and her brother, Gerald Evans.

Pallbearers were Harrison Tew, Hayden Tew, Hunter Tew, Bryan Clark, Mike

Umberger and Brenon Sehon. John Frank Clark, John Gunn, Robert Dean and

Billy Tew were honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's

Research Hospital.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

SAM LINDSEY

June 20, 1923-Dec. 26, 2023

Funeral services for Sam Lindsey, 100, of the Eucutta community, were

conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral

Home, with Rev. Danny Bullock, Rev. Bradley Smith and Rev. Darrell Lloyd

officiating.

Interment followed at Zion's Rest Cemetery in Eucutta.

Born in Eucutta on June 20, 1923, he was the only son of Jack and Cora

Newton Lindsey. A lifelong resident of Wayne County, he was a

businessman, community volunteer, church member, devoted husband and

father, loving papaw and great friend to many.

After graduating from Beat Four High School, he worked with Robert H.

Ray Oil Company and the City of Laurel as a Land Surveyor. He was also a

Motor Vehicle Inspector for the State of Mississippi.

Later in his career, he served his community as the local merchant in a

grocery store business begun by his mother. Many remember him as "Mr.

Sam" from the Gulf gas station and store located at the Eucutta

Crossroads for more than 27 years.

He shared life and family with Mattie Sue Gordon Lindsey for 70 years.

He was a devoted member of Eucutta Baptist Church, where he served as

Church Treasurer for 23 years. He was a member of the Shriner's

organization, Eastern Star and was a Mason. He was an organizing member

of the Eucutta Volunteer Fire Department and was their first Fire Chief.

He was a member of the Wayne County Forestry Association and Zion Rest

Cemetery Association.

He died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Mattie Sue; two daughters and sons-in-law,

Dianne and Dave Dyar of Fairhope, Ala., and Sammie Sue and Tommy Hendrix

of Eucutta; two grandchildren and their respective spouses, Wesley and

Stephanie Hendrix of Victoria, Texas, and Lindsey and Ray Brown of

Atlanta, Ga.; a great-granddaughter, Vivienne Hendrix; and many beloved

nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Velma Earl Lindsey

LaCuesta of Gulfport and Quida Lindsey Leggett of Clarke County.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

STYRON GRAY WEST, JR.

Feb. 2, 1949-Dec. 28, 2023

Funeral services for Styron Gray West, Jr., 74, of Waynesboro, were

conducted on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023 from Waynesboro Presbyterian

Church, with Rev. Danny Ketchum officiating.

Interment followed at Waynesboro Cemetery.

Born in Laurel on Feb. 2, 1949 to Styron Gray West, Sr., and Rebecca

Perkins West, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1972 from

the University of Mississippi. He started his career working alongside

his father and continued to operate the family-owned Clanton Drug Store

for many years.

He continued his career as a Pharmacist, serving counties in Alabama and

Mississippi until retiring in 2013.

He was an active member and elder of Waynesboro Presbyterian Church. He

was a historian, skilled chess player and devoted Ole Miss Rebels fan.

He died on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Tatum West; two daughters and

sons-in-law, Melanie West and Reed Harman of Signal Mt., Tenn., and Dana

West and Scott Cooley of Waynesboro; his sister and brother-in-law, Judy

West and Bill Hurt of Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren, David

Harman and Kate Harman of Signal Mt. and Taylor Cooley and Caroline

Cooley of Waynesboro.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Bailey West; his father,

Styron Gray West, Sr.; and his mother, Rebecca Perkins West.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

MARILYN SHOEMAKER

Jan. 8, 1929-Dec. 27, 2023

Graveside services for Marilyn Shoemaker, 94, of Waynesboro, were

conducted on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 from Boyles Chapel Cemetery, with

Rev. Brad Maxcey officiating.

Born in Waynesboro on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 1929 to the late William

"Bill" and Mary Langley Burgess, she was retired as a Seamstress

with Wells Lamont Glove Factory in Waynesboro.

She died on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 at Wayne General Hospital.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, William "Billy" and

Ann Shoemaker of Dayton, Texas; her daughter and son-in-law, Maxine and

Gerald Davis of Waynesboro; her brother and sister-in-law, Donnie and

Bonnie Burgess of Waynesboro; her sister and brother-in-law, Billy Sue

and Bill Patterson of Shubuta; her grandson and his spouse, Bruce and

Koko Davis; and three great-grandchildren, ShalaKo Davis, Luka Davis and

Iniyah Rogers, all of Waynesboro.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey "Sonny" Shoemaker;

her parents, William "Bill" and Mary Langley Burgess; her son,

Johnny Louis Shoemaker; five brothers and six sisters.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

MINNIE L. HILL

Aug. 8, 1937-Dec. 17, 2023

Funeral services for Minnie L. Hill, 86, were conducted on Saturday,

Dec. 23, 2023 from New Light Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Eric

Hill officiating.

Interment followed at Yellow Pine Cemetery.

Born on Aug. 8, 1937, she died on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at Pine View

Health Care Center.

She is survived by her husband of more than 30 years, Curtis "Bull"

Franks; two daughters-in-law, a host of grandchildren, a host of

great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild, a brother and a sister.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Queen and Arther

Grimes; and three sons.

McDonald and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

ANN JACKSON TOLBERT

Feb. 17, 1940-Nov. 30, 2023

Graveside services for Ann Jackson Tolbert, 83, of Augusta, Ga., were

conducted on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 from Crown Hill Cemetery in Albany,

Ga.

Born in Waynesboro on Feb. 17, 1940 to the late Beda Lee Davis Jackson

and John Randall Jackson, she graduated from Wayne County High School,

where she was involved in numerous activities and clubs. One of her

favorite memories was being lead majorette for the marching band.

She grew up with a taste for adventure and set off from her small town

to enjoy college at the University of Southern Mississippi, working

summers at Yellowstone National Park, sailing to Europe on the Queen

Elizabeth II and pursuing her Master's degree in teaching from Duke

University.

Her teaching career brought her to Albany, where she met her future

husband, Fred Loney Tolbert, Jr.

She enjoyed her years teaching at Albany area schools and often spoke of

her time at Lake Park Elementary as well as her involvement in the

community serving as a member of the Charity League of Albany and the

Serendipity Garden Club. She was also a member of First Baptist Church

of Albany.

Known as Bunny by her family, she enjoyed hosting her family and friends

and creating memories. She especially loved making sure everyone was

well fed. Cookies or cakes were always on the counter and pimento cheese

in the refrigerator. She and Fred treasured traveling and ventured to

many unique places, but her happiest times were at the beach and

visiting her family in Mississippi.

She loved long walks on the beach and the friends they made in Florida.

However, she most cherished the busy holiday seasons when she and her

sister, Janelle, and family came together to work in her parents store,

Jackson Jewelers, in her hometown of Waynesboro.

She died on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Fred Tolbert and Debbie

Finney and Randall Jackson Tolbert; her daughter and son-in-law, Lee Ann

Tolbert and John McElderry; her sister, Janelle Jackson Gent; her

grandchildren and their respective spouses, Savannah Rebecca and Henry

Helgeson, Fred Tolbert and Abbey Finney, Jr., Colleen Christine Finney,

Ansley Lynn Tolbert, Simon Jackson Tolbert, John William McElderry IV

and Hollin Elizabeth McElderry; her great-grandchildren, Henry Dax

Helgeson, James Finn Helgeson and Blair Benett Finley; and numerous

nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Fred Loney

Tolbert, Jr.; and her daughter, Angela Rebecca Finney.

The family would like to thank Allison Marshall and Ethel Currington for

their years of compassion and care they showed for Ann and Fred, as well

as the caring staff at Made Your Day Care Services. The family would

also like to thank the dedicated team at Grovetown Dialysis Center that

provided unparalleled dialysis care for both Ann and Fred.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity on the Hill

Methodist Church, 1330 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta, GA 30904.

Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.