Michael Thomas, 61, of Hortense died April 8, 2017, at Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick.
A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 25, at Allison Memorial Chapel in St. Marys.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Vernia Hazel McArthur, 94, of Magnolia Manor in St. Marys and formerly of Dade City, Fla., passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017, at her daughter’s residence in Woodbine.
A graveside service was held Friday, May 19, at Woodlawn North Cemetery, 3260 S.W. Eighth St. in Miami.
James Corey Cribbs, 44, of St. Marys passed away peacefully at his residence following an extended illness on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Born July 4, 1972, in St. Marys, he was the son of the late Floyd and Marie Cribbs.
Corey was a lifelong resident of Camden County and attended the Lighthouse Church of God. He enjoyed hunting for arrow heads and loved the outdoors. Corey enjoyed being around people and most of all with his family and friends. He will always be remembered and loved.
Survivors include his loving wife of 14 years, Stacy Cribbs of St. Marys; stepdaughter, Amber Anderson of St. Marys; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of Corey’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at the Lighthouse Church of God with Pastor Bobby Woods officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Lee Cross, 60, of St. Marys died Friday, May 26, 2017, at his residence.
An inurnment will be held in Morris Illinois at a later date.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Jenni L. Schneider, 33, of St. Marys died Sunday, May 28, 2017, at her residence.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Michael L. Courtney, 63, of Kingsland passed away Saturday, May 27, 2017 at his residence.
Michael was born Sept. 18, 1953, in Wichita Falls, Texas, and had resided in Camden County since 2001. He used to drag race, building his own race cars and was an accomplished machinist and fabricator. He had a love for Corvettes and Harley Davidson motorcycles and was a metal artist.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Friday, June 2, at Allison Memorial Chapel in St. Marys with services to follow at 12:30 p.m. at the graveside at Brazell Cemetery with Rev. James Clendinen officiating.
Pallbearers will be Roy Versele, Bobby Dinkins, John Anderson, Brian Armstrong, Gael Brewbaker and Charles Dumont.
Survivors include his wife, Patti Courtney of Kingsland; mother, Patricia A. Courtney of Kingsland; daughter, Kristin McCallister of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; stepchildren, Joanne Armstrong (Brian) of Marietta and Donald Kramer (Patricia) of Katy, Texas; grandchildren, Cameron McCallister, Kylianne Courtney, Mitchell Kramer, Taylor Kramer, Justin Armstrong and Jacob Armstrong; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Courtney, and two brothers, Nathan Earl Courtney and Douglas Lee Courtney.
The family requests contributions in memory of Michael Courtney be made to Heartland Hospice, 664 Scranton Road, Suite 103, Brunswick, GA 31520.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. James Allen Wilkerson, 75, of St. Marys passed away Saturday, May 20, 2017, at St. Vincent’s Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.
Mr. Wilkerson was born in Statesboro on March 18, 1942. He is the son of the late Leroy and Edna Miller Wilkerson. Mr. Wilkerson, “Allen” as he was known to his family and friends, was a very loving and kind-hearted person. He would do anything for anyone. Before retiring, Allen worked for 27 years as a machine operator for the City of Brunswick. He loved the outdoors. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family.
His family recalls: “Whenever we went on vacation with Allen, he always had a story to tell about years past when he had visited those places during his time as a truck driver. Allen had endless stories to tell and he never missed the opportunity to tell you one. We will miss his upbeat personality, his laughter, the stories, his humor, but most of all the warm hugs he had for us all whenever we would visit.”
Mr. Wilkerson is survived by his sweetie, Mary Campbell of St. Marys; his daughters and their spouses, Becky McNeil and Derrell Hinton, Darlene and Jason Denison and Robin and Shelby Sweat, all of St. Marys; his sister, Katie-Lee and Steve Lanasa of Jesup; his brother, Johnny Wilkerson of Savannah; his grandchildren, Wade and Jennifer Sweat, Wendy and Chris Willner, Thad and Katrina Bryant, Chadwick and Allye McNeil, Jason and Harley Sweat, Ashley and Will Kramp, Jeremy and Rebecca Sweat, Tessa Sweat and Taylor and Steven Wood; his great-grandchildren, Heather and Jamie Stanley, Nicholas Sweat, Christian Willner, Haley Sweat, Natalie Willner, Cayden Willner, Caleb and Lindsey Gay, Caleb Gaskins, Grant Cothern, Carson Sweat, Zelda Sloan, Heidi Kramp, Cason Sweat, Lyla McNeil, Tanner McNeil, Chelsea and Evelyn Wood, Lilly-Anne Sweat and Elliot McNeil; and several nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Mr. Wilkerson joins his daughter, Karen Marlene Sweat, and his brothers, Douglas and Everett Wilkerson in Heaven.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, at the Crossroads Pentecostal Church in Kingsland with Sister Cheryl Keene presiding.
Coastal Camden funeral home in Kingsland is entrusted with Mr. Wilkerson's arrangements.
Mrs. Ruby Loretta Easterling, 88, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2017, at her residence in Kingsland.
She was born on July 2, 1928, in Nahunta to the late Dillworth and Amanda (Todd) O’Neal. She graduated from Brantley County High School in 1945.
She lived in Fernandina Beach, Fla., for 56 years until moving to Camden County in 2004.
Mrs. Easterling worked for the Nassau county school system as a cafeteria worker until she retired in 1975.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Clayton, who passed away in 2008, and son Gene who passed away in 1990.
She leaves behind her son, Wayne (Sue) Easterling of Kingsland; sister, Dorothy Ballanti of Waycross; grandchildren, Christopher (Christine) Easterling of Fernandina Beach, Jodi (David) Tippette of Fernandina Beach and Heather (Craig) Fussell of Dublin; great-grandchildren, Landon, James and Christopher Tippette, Elizabeth, Emily and Christopher Easterling and Laney and Lauren Fussell.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, June 5, in the Burgess Chapel with Pastor Frank Camarotti officiating.
The family will receive friends from noon until the hour of service at Oxley-Heard.
She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Bosque Bello Cemetery.
Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made in her name to Five Points Church, 736 Bonnieview Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Please share her life story at www.oxleyheard.com. Arrangements by Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.
Temothy “Tem” MacDonell, 64, of St. Marys passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.
Tem was born Oct. 31, 1952, in Jacksonville, Fla., and was the son of the late John R. and Louise M. MacDonell. He was also preceded in death by his brother, John Richardson MacDonell Jr.
Tem was a lifelong resident of Camden County. He was a graduate of Camden County High School and a graduate of Georgia Southern University where he received his bachelor’s degree. Tem had been employed as a payroll manager with Gilman Paper Company until their closing and Home Depot in Yulee, Fla., for the past 11 years. He was an avid golfer and loved playing cards with his friends. He attended the First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys.
Survivors include is wife, Felecia MacDonell of St. Marys; four children, Maggie MacDonell (Matt) of St. Marys, Rick MacDonell of Jacksonville, Niki Beachum (Clay) of Statesboro and Douglas Bentley (Nicole) of Ann Arbor, Mich.; two sisters, Zandra Roper (Sam) of Greensboro and Catherine “Corky” Huff (Tony) of Newnan; three grandchildren, Tanner Brown, Aiden Brown and Preston Bentley; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Tem’s life will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at Allison Memorial Chapel in St. Marys with Pastor Rick Douylliez officiating.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Charles G. Campbell, 86, of St. Marys died Monday, June 5, 2017, at his residence.
An inurnment will be held at a later date in Erwin, Texas.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Reynaldo Delgado Jr., 53, of St. Marys died Monday, June 5, 2017, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held at a later date in Bridgeport, Conn.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Henry Preston Rhodes, 69, returned to his heavenly home on June 3, 2017, after a short but valiant battle with cancer. His devotion to his family and his unshakeable faith in God’s ability to sustain and transform supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.
Preston was born to King Edward Rhodes Sr., now deceased, and Jennie Richardson Rhodes on Feb. 18, 1948. His was a solid Christian upbringing that led to a lifelong dedication to Christ and service to Brown’s Chapel A.M.E. Church in White Oak as a dynamic Sunday school teacher/superintendent and as class leader for Class No. 4 for more than 30 years. During his tenure in the church, he served on the steward and trustee boards and helped lead the effort to build a new sanctuary.
Preston graduated from Ralph J. Bunche High School in 1966 and later Albany State College (now University) with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. Preston went on to earn a master’s degree in education at Florida A & M University in 1974 and an educational specialist degree in guidance and counseling at Florida State University in 1976.
He started his career as a classroom teacher at Woodbine Elementary School where he taught seventh grade for three years before moving on to a career as a guidance counselor at Camden County High School.
Later he served as guidance counselor at Jane Macon Middle School in the Glynn County schools several years before returning to Camden County High School to finish out his career before retirement. Throughout his life, it was not uncommon for him to come in contact with many former students who were grateful for the positive impact he made on their lives.
Continuing to answer the call for public service, Preston was elected county commissioner for District 1 on two different occasions. He served on the commission honorably, touching many lives by the decisions he made through God-given wisdom, strength and integrity. Among his many lasting achievements to the community are his contribution to the new Camden County Courthouse in Woodbine signified by the memorial plaque on the building side, the preservation and renovation of Ralph J. Bunche High School, the Tarboro Fire Station and the Mary B. Smart Park in the Tarboro community.
Preston was blessed with a large and loving family. He married his best friend, Linda Baker Rhodes, on June 22, 1985, and helped raise his two children, Daniel Preston and Jessica Lynne, with discipline and love. From the very beginning, he dedicated his children to God and encouraged them to continue their service to Christ and to the church.
Preston also leaves behind his devoted mother, Jennie R. Rhodes; a brother, Hubert Benjamin (Anna) Rhodes; and two sisters, the Rev. Janice Rhodes (the Rev. Darrell) Casey and Joyce Rhodes (Shawn) King — all who affectionately referred to him as “Sonny.”
One brother, King E. Rhodes Jr., preceded him in death.
Preston was equally devoted to his father-in-law, Clarence Baker, and mother-in-law, Beatrice, as well as his extended family, Carol Baker (Mark) Hayes and Harold Thorpe.
He leaves behind numerous loving nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as a church family that meant a great deal to him. He is especially mourned by his godson, Joshua Logan King, who will miss his “Uncle TT.”
His love and dedication to church, family and his community will be sorely missed.
A wake service will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at Brunswick Funeral Home, 2700 Albany St. in Brunswick. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at Brown's Chapel A.M.E. Church, 334 New Post Road in White Oak.
Anna L. Thornal, 74, of Kingsland passed away Sunday, June 11, 2017, at Community Hospice, Acosta-Rua Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
Born May 2, 1943, in Covington, Ky., she was the daughter of the late Henry and Mattlea Becker. She was also preceded in death by her three brothers, Richard Becker, Eddie Becker and Joseph Becker.
Mrs. Thornal had been a resident of Camden County since 1982 and was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post No. 8385. She enjoyed crocheting and needle point and was an amazing cook.
Memorial services were held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8385 in Kingsland with Chaplain Rick Williams officiating.
Survivors include her husband, Fayette “Frank” Thornal of Kingsland; three daughters, Patricia “Patty” Hair (Donald) of Summerville, S.C., Teda Barrows (Lee) of Smithville, Va., and Janet Gohl of Spartanburg, S.C.; son, Fayette “FM” Thornal (Pam) of Lyman, S.C.; nine grandchildren, Donnie Hair, Joseph Hair, Jacob Barrows, Anna Huggins, Michael Barrows, Sharon Ingram, Emily Hartley, Benjamin Hill and Zachary Thornal; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Irma W. Smith, 85, of St. Marys passed away Sunday, June 11, 2017, at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, N.C.
Born July 18, 1931, in Pinetta, Fla., she was the daughter of the late W.C. and Leuna Wood. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Herman L. Smith.
Coming from Valdosta, Mrs. Smith had resided in Camden County from 1954 until 2014 when she moved to Gastonia to be close to her children. She was a 1952 graduate of Grady Memorial School of Nursing and was a registered nurse retiring in 1994. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at Oak Grove Cemetery with Pastor Rick Douylliez and Keith officiating. There will be no visitation.
Survivors include two children, daughter, Richelle Smith Hood and son, Rick L. Smith; and one grandchild, Justin Hood.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Arleen Iris Bulwinkle Kelley, 61, of Kingsland died Friday, June 2, 2017, at the UF Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.
A memorial for Arleen Kelley will be held Saturday June 17, with visitation at 3:30 p.m. and the service will be 4:30 p.m. at the Westside Baptist Church in St. Marys for family and friends. A private burial will be held at a later date at the Jacksonville National Cemetery for the immediate family.
Coastal Camden Funeral Home in Kingsland is entrusted with Mrs. Kelley's arrangements.
ShirleyAnn Hackett, 62, passed away Monday, June 12, 2017.
She was born June 22, 1954, in Charleston, S.C. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Lawson, and brother, Bobby Lawson. Shirley had lived in Waverly for the past 22 years and was of the Baptist faith. She was a registered nurse for a number of years before working for both the St. Marys Police Department and the Camden County Sheriff’s office as a deputy.
Survivors include her husband of 24 years, Kenneth Caldwell; sons, Dallas Caldwell, Steve Lawson and Ned Lawson; mother, Mamie Lawson; brothers, Wayne Lawson and Tim Lawson; numerousgrandchildren; a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday June 15, in the chapel of Cedar Bay Funeral Home, 405 New Berlin Road in Jacksonville, Fla., with Rev Freddie Griffis officiating. The family will receive friends starting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Arleen Iris Bulwinkle Kelley, 61, of Kingsland went home to the Lord on Friday, June 2, 2017, at the UF Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla. She was born to the late Marion Albert Bulwinkle and Adele Ruth Simon Bulwinkle of Mount Pleasant, S.C., on Jan. 17, 1956.
Arleen was a 1974 graduate of Wando High School and a 1976 graduate of Trident Technical College. Arleen and her family relocated to Kingsland in 1993 but previously had lived her whole life in Charleston, S.C. Arleen worked in the medical field prior to being employed by Express Scripts and retiring due to medical reasons in 2010. She was active in supporting her children and grandchildren in local sports. She also volunteered with her daughter, Michelle, for a few projects with CASA.
She was a former member of Kingsland First United Methodist Church, but recently attended services at the Westside Baptist Church of St. Marys with her family. Arleen was a kind and loving woman who never met a stranger. She was a Coast Guard wife who supported her husband’s demanding job and relocations. She had a deep respect for our military and especially for our wounded veterans. Arleen loved traveling and was recently baptized in the Jordan River in Israel. She loved cruising and had a knack for shopping. Arleen also enjoyed designing and making jewelry as a hobby.
Arleen was preceded in death by her mother, Adele; her father, Marion; and two siblings, Carla Travis and Toby Moore.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Michael Kelley. Her courage during her journey will forever influence the lives of her three daughters, Jennifer Brown of Jacksonville, Fla., Michelle (Jamie) Crabtree of St. Marys and Brandie Fickle of Kingsland; her two sisters, Cheryl (David) Garris and Sandy (Bruce) Causey, all of Mount Pleasant; and her brother, Marion (Beth) Bulwinkle of Richmond Hill. She has nine grandchildren, Christopher Brown, Taylor, Tristian, Harley, Hayden Klaren-Crabtree, Autumn Messmer, Lilyanna Fickle, Frank Fickle, Liam Kelley and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial for Arleen Kelley will be held Saturday, June 17. The visitation will be at 3:30 p.m. and the service at 4:30 p.m. at the Westside Baptist Church in St. Marys for family and friends by Pastor James Roberson. A private burial will be held at a later date at the Jacksonville National Cemetery for the immediate family.
If you would like to send flowers, potted plants are preferred due to cemetery restrictions on cut flowers. A GoFundMe account was established in Arleen Kelley’s name to raise money to be donated in her honor to the Winn-Dixie Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society in Gainesville and the Wounded Warrior Project. To donate, please go to www.gofundme.com/3vk7oug.
Coastal Camden Funeral Home in Kingsland is entrusted with Mrs. Kelley’s arrangements.
Elaine A. Burns, 83, of St. Marys died on Sunday, June 18, 2017, at the Senior Care Center in St. Marys following a period of failing health.
Born June 29, 1933 in Dover, N.H., she was the daughter of the late Donald and Annette Vachon Seaver. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, William R. Burns; three brothers, Robert Seaver, Ronald Seaver and George Seaver; and sister, Jeanne A. Therrien.
As a military wife, Elaine lived in several different states. When her husband retired from the Air Force they lived in Somersworth, N.H., for several years and then moved to St. Marys in 1988. She was a member of Westside Baptist Church.
Survivors include her sisters, Edna Hamel, Janet Quisumbing (Victor) and Dorothy Buell, all of Dover, and many beloved nieces and nephews who cherish the memories of swimming in Aunt Elaine and Uncle Bill’s pool and their fun-filled Fourth of July picnics.
Elaine will be remembered for her kindness, volunteer work and unwavering love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her family wishes to thank Hospice of the Golden Isles for their care and support, and especially to Ann Zambesi for the love, kindness and steadfast support she provided Elaine for so many years.
A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at Allison Memorial Chapel in St. Marys. An inurnment burial will be held at 11 a.m. July 28 at St. Charles Cemetery in Dover.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
William “Billy” Polatty Jr., 60, of St. Marys died Sunday, June 18, 2017, at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Allison Memorial Chapel and Funeral Home of St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.
Stella Faye Strickland, 69, died the morning of Monday, June 19, 2017, at her home in Kingsland surrounded by her family.
Calling hours will be from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 22, at Coastal Camden Funeral Home. A service will follow immediately in the Woods-Wainwright Chapel of the funeral home. Interment will follow at Colesburg Cemetery in Woodbine.
Coastal Camden Funeral Home in Kingsland is entrusted with Mrs. Strickland’s arrangements.
