Deborah Ann (Boatright) Wheelis

Deborah Ann Boatright Wheelis, 71, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2026 at home surrounded by her loving family under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.

A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, Deborah was born on March 3, 1954 to the late R.O. Boatright and Anne Burch Boatright.  In her younger years, she worked in tobacco and helped out around the farm while attending school.  Deborah worked for the Wayne County School System in the School Nutrition Program for over twenty-five years before her retirement in 2014.  Deborah was always a giver and she loved taking care of other people.  Her family was the love of her life and she enjoyed spending time with the ones she loved more than anything else. She was a longtime member of Ritch Baptist Church and she always practiced her faith by giving to others and placing their needs before her own, especially when it came to her grandchildren. Although she was loving and kind, she was honest and sometimes a little feisty. Deborah had a smile that could light up a room and she always loved with her whole heart.

Survivors include her husband of fifty seven years, Donnie Wheelis; children, Johnny Wheelis and wife, Missy of Odum, Buffie Morales and husband, Vincent of Screven, and Jody Wheelis of Screven; grandchildren, Kassi Odom and husband, Dawson, Kaylee White and husband, Rylee, Kensley Copeland and husband, Micah, Rileigh Morales, Kylie Wheelis, and Kasey Morales; one great grandson, Rhett Cherokee Odom and another great grandbaby on the way.  Her four siblings, Cheryl Holland and husband, Jack of Screven, Teresa Boatright of Screven, Daryl Boatright of Screven, and Barry Boatright and wife, Judy of Blackshear also survive in addition to a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Reverends Calvin Anderson and Brian Gill officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Interment will follow in Ritch Baptist Church Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Clay Brewton, Tyler Brewton, Jacob Nolan, Rylee White, Dawson Odom, and Micah Copeland.

Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Hospice of South Georgia.

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