Joan Bennett Williams of Jesup, Ga. passed away peacefully on Monday, September 19th at the age of 85.  Joan was born and raised in Wayne County and was the eldest of the Bennett '8' J's: Joan, Jimmy, Judy, Jerrie, Jack, John, Jane, and Jan. She was a longtime member and Sunday school teacher at Altamaha Baptist Church.  She enjoyed her career at American National Bank where she found time to squeeze in some teller duties while socializing with the customers.  Later, she worked at Rayonier and loved to tell stories about the people she would talk to and work with all over the world while handling her shipping duties. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, George Willard Williams, her parents, James Cameron Bennett and Jessie Lee Brannen Bennett, and brother, James "Jimmy" Bennett.  Joan loved her family, children, brothers, and sisters and her greatest gift was making each one of them feel like they were her favorite. As much as she loved her family, her greatest love was for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  What a great example she has left for us all.

Survivors are 4 children, George Willard Williams II (Charlotte) of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Marion Williams of Brunswick, Cameron Williams (Kellie) of Senoia, and Missy Devlin (Harry) of Hortense; grandchildren, George Willard Williams III (Marlena), Charlie Williams, Emily Williams, Sarah Ashley Williams, Ashley Mulherin (Zack) and other extended grandchildren, Sarah, Mary Beth, Will, Madeline, and Maggie; and 4 great grandchildren, George Willard, IV, Brooke, Wesley and Daniel Williams; 6 siblings, Judy Oglesby of Brunswick, Jerrie Glawe of Rockford, Ill., Jane (David) Durrence of Waycross, Jan (John) Oglesby of Brunswick, Jack "Hoppy" (Pam) Bennett of Sacramento, Calif. and John (Sue) Bennett of Brunswick; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A homecoming graveside service will be held 11 AM Thursday, September 22, 2022 in Union Baptist Church Cemetery, 50 Aiken Road, Jesup, GA 31546.

Visitation will be 3 to 5 PM Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Altamaha Baptist Church Building Fund, 6622 Oglethorpe Road, Jesup, GA 31545.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.