Donald Stephens

Jack Donald Stephens, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 14, 2024 at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia surrounded by his loving family.

A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, Donald was born on April 4, 1935 to the late Jack W. and Mildred Strickland Stephens.  He attended Odum High School where he was highly involved in the athletic program.  Donald lettered in Basketball all four years, playing on the 1954 State Championship Basketball team and had also won district in the High Jump.   After High School, Donald took a course in Livestock care.  He was a lifelong farmer who had worked with Waynline Furniture Factory, the Wayne County Forestry Unit and had worked over eighteen years at Rayonier before giving up his “other” jobs to pursue his true passion, farming.  He won many awards throughout his lifetime including several Hi-Yield Corn and Soybean awards.  Donald truly loved animals and was also a livestock producer and cattleman for over forty years, winning awards for the high quality livestock he produced.  Donald believed in hard work and he always strived to take care of his family, he also believed in caring for the soil in all his farming operations and he was the proud owner of the very first air conditioned tractor in Wayne County.  He truly loved driving tractors but his bulldozer was always his favorite.  In his later years he did custom farming for others and he always enjoyed going to livestock sales in his spare time.  Donald was a member of Odum Baptist Church where he attended the Doug Daniel Sunday School Class.  He was also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers, the Federation of Independent Businesses, Wayne County Young Farmers and the Wayne County Farm Bureau. Donald was inducted into the Odum Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989 and had also been named an FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer.  He contributed to many charities over the years and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.  In his later years, his favorite times were spent with the ones he loved the most, especially his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, his three brothers, Merle Stephens, Joseph Genell Stephens and James W. Stephens, Jr., all preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of seventy years and high school sweetheart, Melba P. Stephens of Odum; three children, William C. “Dell” Stephens (Ronda), Melanie Williamson (Derrell) and Michelle Blocker (Jonathan) all of Odum; one brother, Gene H. Stephens of Odum and four grandchildren, Dedra and Denise Stephens, Gerimi Palmer (Jenny) and Michael Williamson all of Odum and great grandchildren, Tyler and Maisie Palmer, Stella Morris (Braden), Saje Williamson, Dayla Godbee and Lanie Stephens.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members also survive.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Rev. Rooster Manning officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Interment will follow in Red Hill Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Mike Perkins, James Perkins, Konnor Stephens, Josh Fenn, Michael Elliott and Mark Siegler.  Honorary pallbearers will be David Carter, Bennett Whitfield, Tom Collins, David Thornton, Chico, Dwayne Anderson, Royal Westberry, Alex Jenkins, Robert Jenkins, Billy Miller, Tracy Thornton and his caregivers, Kathy Sapp, Jamie Bowen and Ronicea Reddish.

The family would like to express a special thanks to all the caregivers and hospice staff for the extra special loving care extended to Donald during his final days. 

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