Marjorie Hildra Vines NeSmith, a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Jesup and champion of her community, died peacefully and surrounded by family on Dec. 29, 2014, in Jesup. She was 90.
Margie NeSmith was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, W.H. “Dink” NeSmith Sr.
Born the daughter of Howell and Essie Vines on Oct. 11, 1924, NeSmith was the valedictorian of her 1941 Warwick High School class. She later attended Georgia Southwestern College. But following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, she left school to work in the war effort.
When she moved to Jesup after her marriage on Feb. 3, 1946, Margie NeSmith dedicated herself to the community in both work and service. She was a licensed funeral director for three mortuaries over her career—NeSmith Funeral Home, NeSmith-Harrison Funeral Home and The Paulk Funeral Home in Fitzgerald. She was also a receptionist at ITT Rayonier for more than 20 years, retiring in 1986. She later worked in advertising sales at the Ludowici News and The Press-Sentinel.
NeSmith founded the first Girl Scout Troup in Jesup. At First Baptist, she served as the youth director for 26 years and Girls Auxiliary leader and taught an adult Sunday school class into her late 80s. For decades, she conducted the church’s homecoming memorial service.
Margie NeSmith never really met a stranger. Upon first meeting Margie, you could count on her warm smile and even warmer greeting: “Hi, I’m Margie NeSmith from Jesup, Ga.” That introduction was often followed by a kind note. Over the years, thousands of her “thinking of you” notes offered words of encouragement to those in need. It was her personal ministry, and she was a poet at heart.
NeSmith was an active motivational speaker for the Chamber of Commerce, public school systems and civic groups. She served as an area director for the American Cancer Society and worked as an area leader for AARP. She traveled extensively for both organizations. She was a member of the Eastern Star and Jaycettes, and a past president of the Orange Street Elementary PTA, of which she was named a lifetime member.
Margie NeSmith was a Pink Lady at Wayne Memorial Hospital and installed officers for numerous civic organizations in Wayne County. She served as chair of the Jesup Housing Authority, and she was a member of the Jesup Junior Women’s Club. She also served as the first woman president of the Jesup Lions Club, where she served two terms as president.
NeSmith will be remembered as a loving mother of three children: Sandra N. Bostelman (Rick), Fitzgerald; Dink NeSmith Jr. (Pam), Athens; and Sheila N. Mingledorff (Jody), Screven. Her six grandchildren are Blaine Bostelman, Athens; Alan NeSmith (Heather), Cornelia; Morgan M. Westberry (Andy), Jesup; Emily N. Wilson (Tom), Senoia; Sail M. Coleman (Luke), Woodbine; and Eric NeSmith (Connell), Athens. Her great-grandchildren are Will Bostelman, Athens; Wyatt, Hayes, Henry and Smith Wilson, Senoia; William and Fenn NeSmith, Cornelia; and Bayard and Stella NeSmith, Athens. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brothers, Joe H. Vines and Billy G. Vines and her sister, Bobbie Jean West.
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church Jesup on Wednesday, Dec. 31, starting at 1:30 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 3 p.m. The Rev. Stanley Todd, the Rev. Dr. Felix Haynes and the Rev. Dr. Michael Van Moss will officiate with eulogies given by Blaine Bostelman and Dink NeSmith Jr. Interment will be in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545 or First Baptist Church, PO Box 1115, Jesup, GA 31598.
Please sign our guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com
Howard and Jones Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.