FOLKSTON – Effie O’Berry Thrift, 86 of Folkston, passed away Wednesday evening, August 28, 2024 at Bayview Nursing Home after an extended illness.
Born in Folkston, Mrs. Thrift’s parents were Frank O’Berry and Polly Poppell O’Berry. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Billy Thrift; and two brothers, W.H. O’Berry and James O’Berry.
Mrs. Thrift was a secretary for Thrift Farm & Feed and a member of Riverside Chapel Baptist Church. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandbabies, cooking and feeding people, going to the mountains and studying the Bible.
Survivors include her three sons and daughtersin law, Pat Thrift (Bonnie) of Folkston, Mark Thrift (Lisa) of Folkston and Dewayne White of Douglas; five grandchildren, Olin Thrift (Chrissy), Josh Martin (Casey), Ashley Paulk (Justin), Anna Bennett (Justin) and Tyler White; 13 great grandchildren, Sienna Bennett, Blake Paulk, Ava Paulk, Bode Bennett, Sieley Bennett, Autry Thrift, Bryce Thrift, Brock Thrift, Sawyer Thrift, Buck Martin, Chasse Belle Martin, Jesse Mae Martin and Ada James Martin; two brothers and a sister-inlaw, Bud O’Berry and Dink O’Berry (Minta Marie) all of Folkston; and two sisters and brothers- in-law, Carolyn Prescott (Wink) of Folkston and Cathy Johns (B.S.) of Nahunta; and also several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
A funeral service was held Friday afternoon, August 30, 2024 at Riverside Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Randy Wainright officiating.
Burial followed in Riverside Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Arnold O’Berry, Justin Bennett, Justin Paulk, Kyler Prescott, Josh Martin and Olin Thrift.
Arrangements were with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.
see OBITS, Page 5 BLACKSHEAR — Mrs. Linda Gail Keene Smith, 69 of Blackshear, passed away early Thursday morning, August 29, 2024, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross.
Linda Gail Keene Smith
Smith
Born March 23, 1955 in Waverly, Mrs. Smith lived in Pierce County most of her life. She worked as a CNA for many years and loved shopping, fishing, and going to McDonald’s.
Mrs. Smith used to love to go roller skating along with her husband, especially since it was where they had their first date. She dearly loved her family, and her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Blackshear Church of God.
She was a daughter of the late Osgood Alton and Inez King Keene. She was also preceded in death by four sisters, Marguerite Crum, Barbara “Bobbie” Spradley, Ruby Johnson and Katherine “Kitty” Sandiford; and five brothers, James Robert “Peewee” Keene, Osgood “Bo” Keene and Franklin Keene, as well as two brothers who passed as young children.
Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Wayne Rufus Smith of Blackshear; her daughter, Sara Johns (Daniel Johnson) of Nahunta; a sister, Hilda Belanger of Hortense; a brother, Roy (Pauline) Keene of Waverly; four grandchildren, Dayton Johnson, Maelynn Johns, Kinsley Johns and Aiden Johns; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A funeral service will be held Thursday afternoon, September 5, 2024, at 2 p.m., from the PearsonDial Funeral Home Chapel.
The family will receive friends in the chapel one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be in the Enon Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers will be her nephews, Lewis Warner, Joseph Spradley, Colby Smith, Tyler Smith, Kevin Allday and Caleb Turner.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
