Donald Robert Boyette, 79, of Screven, died Tuesday, December 10, 2019, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.  The Pierce County native had lived all of his life in Wayne County and was a member of Screven First Baptist Church and the Sonshine Sunday School Class.  He was a lifetime Masonic Lodge 368 member, retired Wayne County Board of Education Transportation and Maintenance Director, served on the City Council for many years, and former 6-year Mayor of Screven.  The avid fisherman was such a generous person who shared his catch and his small garden bounty.  He used his backhoe as a toy most of the time. His parents, Randle and Ola Boyette preceded him in death along with his sister, Judy Deal.

Survivors are his wife of 61 years, Gaynell Lastinger Boyette of Screven; 3 sons, Robert (Barbara) Boyette, Melvin (Vicky) Boyette and Ken (Heather) Boyette, all of Screven; 9 grandchildren, April, Kelly, Cord, Haley, Rance, Daniele, Seth, Kaitlyn, and Maddie;  7 great grandchildren, Cohen, Gage, Gunner, Breyden, Cam, Coast, and Olivia; brother, J.L. (Joan) Boyette of Screven; a sister, Joanne Kicklighter of Screven; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held 1 PM Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Screven First Baptist Church with Dr. Doug McCart officiating. Private family interment will follow in the Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family and friends.  Honorary pallbearers will be Bruce Harris, Randy Jones, James Sowell, Donnie Wheelis, Jason & Darrell Wasdin, Billy Mac Burch, Mitchell Walker, Robert and Edward Odum, Dr. Pumpelly, Durwood Miller, Lowell Hagan, Wayne Crosby, Buddy Roberson, Stan English, Howard Lewis, Ben Toombs, James "Peewee" Bennett, Rufus Anderson, Jerry Parker, Jerry Wright, Johnny Ben Aspinwall, Larry Stanfield, Tommy Carter, Newton Sikes, Don Blocker, Emory Clary, Key "Gopher" Roberson, Neil Nichols, Chuck Faircloth, Mackey McReady, Tommy and Jamie Reddish, Tony Nipper, Woody Manuel, Johnny Merritt, Elbert Hayes, Robert Todd, Corey Wood, Cleve Murphy, and Barry Arem.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Screven First Baptist Church Building Fund, 302 School Street, Screven, Ga. 31560.

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