• Rinehart & Sons
Waldo
O’Quinn Jr.
Jesup—Waldo O’Quinn Jr., 90, of Jesup died July 2, 2024.
The Wayne County native was a Baptist, a U.S. Army veteran and retired auto mechanic with several dealerships.
He loved bringing joy to others by gift giving and going to garage and estate sales with his companion, Erleen Hayes. Some hobbies included making leather gun and knife cases, which he gave to his loved ones. He loved to sit in his recliner and watch birds.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Waldo Sr. and Lucille Bryant O’Quinn; his stepmother, Catherine Tillman O’Quinn; an uncle, John (Ella) W.C. Trowell; and his companion of 24 years, Erleen Hayes.
Survivors include his friends, neighbors and caretaker for the past three years, Patsy Robertson.
Graveside funeral services were held July 5 at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with full military honors with Joe Hayes and Elijah Kelly officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd. Jesup, GA 31545.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
William Murphy
Odum—William “Bill” Ralph Murphy, 84, of Odum died July 7, 2024.
The Wayne County native was a member of First United Methodist Church, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He served two tours in Vietnam, where he received a bronze medal.
A well-known sports advocate, he spent more than 30 years as a football coach and teacher and was an outdoor education instructor, which earned him the nicknames “Beta Bill” and “Coach “Murphy.” He was proud of his high school team that was inducted into the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame, and he was instrumental in shaping so many young athletes’ lives.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed hunting with the Ellis Creek Hunting Club.
Survivors include his wife, Diane Benton Murphy of Odum; a daughter, Patti (Fred) Holland of Jesup; a son, Will (Machelle) Murphy of Odum; four grandchildren, Michael and Dusty Holland, Madison and Audrey Murphy; and several nieces and nephews.
Celebration-of-life services were held July 10 from Rinehart and Sons Chapel with the Rev. Pete Boyd, son-in-law Fred Holland and friends officiating, along with presentation of the American flag by the USMC. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Lions Club and Ellis Creek Hunting Club.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research ALSAC, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545; or Jesup First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Howard & Jones
Robert C.
Kicklighter
Jesup—Robert C. “Bobby” Kicklighter, 91, died peacefully on July 7, 2024, at Coastal Manor in Ludowici under the care of Hospice of South Georgia ,surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on April 12, 1933, in Screven to the late Clifton L. “Foley” Kicklighter and Myrtice McCall Kicklighter. He was a graduate of Screven High School, Class of 1952. He then proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for 20 years in numerous duty stations, including Washington, D.C.; Alaska; Pakistan; and Easter Island, before retiring as a master sergeant.
After retirement, he returned home and helped to establish and became director of Wayne County Emergency Medical Services, a position that he would faithfully keep for 36 years before his second retirement. He was a lifelong servant to others, according to the family. He devoted his entire life to his country, his community and his family.
In his early years, he was very athletic and had been a bowling, ping-pong and pool champion, and later in life he enjoyed playing and coaching softball and fishing when he wasn’t working and taking care of others. He was strong, yet compassionate, and strict, yet understanding, and his devotion to the care of others carried on until his final days.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Colleen Kicklighter Mundy, and his brother-in-law, Charlie Mundy.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Lucy Lane Kicklighter; two sons, Cliff (Linda) Kicklighter of Jesup and Clay (Lisa) Kicklighter of Jesup; one daughter, Sondra (Michael) Lewis of Jesup; a brother, Joe (Donna) Kicklighter of Eatonton; grandchildren, Casey (Whitney) Kicklighter, Will and Rachel Tyre, Ches Kicklighter, Grayson Kicklighter, Blake Herrin, Levi Lewis, and Faith Lewis; great-grandchildren, Graham and Jace Kicklighter and Sammy and Emi Tyre; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other extended-family members.
Funeral services will be held today, Thursday, at 2 p.m. at Howard & Jones Funeral Home with Pastor Justin Drawdy and Pastor Pete Boyd officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Screven City Cemetery with military honors rendered by the United States Air Force.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Needham, former paramedics/EMTs and his Emergency Room Crew of Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.
His family said he will always be fondly remembered for the service he provided to others, and he has been quoted as saying many times, “I’ve had a great life!”
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Hart Funeral
Mary Carol
Yates King
Jesup—Mary Carol Yates King, 70, of Jesup died early Sunday morning July 7, 2024, at Hospice of South Georgia following an extended illness.
Born July 29, 1953, in Jesup, she was a daughter of Althea Murray Yates and the late Charles Augusta Yates. She lived all her life in Wayne and Ware counties and was a 1972 graduate of Wayne County High School.
She was a longtime housewife and a member of Hacklebarney Baptist Church.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a stepson, Brian King.
Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Randolph King of Jesup; a son, Jonathan King of Jesup; a stepson, Brandon (Candice) King of Waycross; grandchildren, Emily (J.P.) Manning of Blackshear and Sam King of Waycross; a great-granddaughter, Brinlee Kate Manning of Blackshear; her mother, Althea Murray Yates of Jesup; two sisters, Sharleen (Larry) Blocker of Loganville and Peggy (Bob) Smith of Jesup; a brother, Thomas Yates of Jesup; two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Tim and Janet King of Waycross and Steve and Marie King of Homeland; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A memorial service took play July 10 in the chapel of Hart Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Boulevard, Jesup, GA 31545.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear was in charge of arrangements.
