Lauree Surrency Hires, 98, a life- long native of Wayne County, entered into her Heavenly home Saturday, April 29. 2023, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia surrounded by her close, loving family. She was a devout Christian, Godly Lady, who enjoyed worshiping in song, witnessing about her Lord and Savior and living by example. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. At the age of 17, she was a Welder in the JA Jones Shipyards, building Liberty Ships, during the World War II war effort, along with her two older sisters. She was a former employee of the Sea Island and Manhattan shirt factories, and enjoyed a 26- year career with ITT Rayonier, retiring from the Technical Depart ment at 76 years of age. Mrs. Hires was a loyal supporting member of the Blanton's Grove Church of God for decades and then returned to her roots to worship faithfully in her later years at Altamaha Baptist Church where she was the oldest member. She was well known for her cooking and baking skills and was always happy to share a cream cake with her family and friends, many times as "comfort food" or just because. She was a long- time member of the Business and Professional Women's Club, which provides medical field scholarships given in the name of her mother to many Wayne County High School graduates, a family tradition that carries on.  Lauree was predeceased by her mother and father, Terrell and Bessie G Surrency, her loving late husband of 72 years, and fishing buddy, Robie H Hires, sisters Carobeth Highsmith, Nanelle Bacon, brothers Frank, Griffin and Tyler Surrency.

Survivors are 5 daughters; Yolonda "Tootsie" (Roger) Garner of Baxley, Alma (Pat) Wade of St Simons Island, Robyn (JC ) Blanton of Baxley, Rita (Kenny) Copeland, of Screven,  Fain Hires of Jesup, two sons, Jerry (Jackie) Hires and Herschell (Shani) Hires of Jesup; 20 Grandchildren, Jay Hires, Patrick Wade, Heather Shefka, Mike Benda, Amy (Scott) Cole, Travis Hires, Stephanie (Chad) Chadwick, Anna (Tracy) Tyre, Sarah (Jason) Drew, Dallas (Britt)Richey, Andy (Karen)Benda, Bess (Jason)Brown, Asa (Tonya) Garner, John (Kristy) Garner, Whitney Hires, Kailey (Tyler) Rogers, Cindy (Mike) Woodard, Sharon (Larry) Jacobs, Karen Paulson, Candi Strickland, the late Lemar Stephens, 44 great grandchildren and 30 great- great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at Altamaha Baptist Church with Reverend Ed Bacon, Reverend Will Bacon and Dink NeSmith, Jr officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be Maxine Barwick, Caleb Poppell and the rest of the loving staff of Hospice of South Ga. Private interment will in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from Rinehart and Sons Chapel.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that remembrances be made to the Business and Professional Women's Club "Bessie G Surrency Memorial Scholarship Fund" in care of Susan Sutton, P.O. Box 834, Jesup, Ga 31598 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, Ga 31545.

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