STATESBORO, Ga. -- Maybelle “Belle” Jones Gay, age 84, joined her parents, Charlie Henry Jones and Wilma Riggs Jones, and her brother, Charles “Charlie” Jones, in their heavenly home on May 12, 2024.
Belle was born in Bulloch County on November 25, 1939, and attended Bulloch County Schools. She graduated from Marvin Pittman Laboratory School.
She married William Rupert Gay and they have one daughter, Lesia Paulk (Wayne); and a grandson, Jason Paulk.
Belle worked at Ellis Drugs during her high school years. After high school, she worked for the first Holiday Inn in Statesboro on South Main Street for over 20 years. She greeted and took care of many guests while working there.
During her years, she worked as desk clerk, administrative assistant and served as food and beverage manager.
She would invite many children to come swim in the pool, leaving them with memories of fun-filled summer days.
She also worked for Western Sizzlin' steak house, being a welcoming face of gratitude for supporting customers.
After her hotel and restaurant employment, Belle went to work for the city of Brooklet as the city clerk, where she made many friends with the residents. If there were questions regarding city ordinances, zoning, city cemetery issues or any other departments within the city, Belle was the one to see for correct information and answers.
In addition to her family and friends, Belle loved working in her garden, planting flowers and vegetables, and she truly enjoyed the fruits of her labor.
One of her greatest hobbies was fishing with her grandson, Jason. They would put a hook in the water anytime they got a chance.
St. Simons Island was one of her favorite places to visit.
She was a strong, kind-hearted, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. You could always count on being greeted with her huge, beautiful, warm smile.
In addition to her parents, Charlie Henry and Wilma Riggs Jones, and her brother, Charles, Belle was preceded in death by her sisters-in-law, Pat Foss and Hilda Gay; and three brothers-in-law, Euel Gay, Jack Gay and George Huey Donaldson.
Surviving is her husband, Rupert Gay; her daughter, Lesia (Wayne) Paulk; and a grandson, Jason Paulk. Also surviving is a sister, Janelle Skinner of Statesboro; a sister-in-law. Bonnie Donaldson of Statesboro; and a brother-in-law, Raymond Gay of Raleigh, N.C. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home from noon until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. with Elder Randy Waters officiating. Interment will follow in Bulloch Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Wayne Paulk, Jason Paulk, Terry Strickland, Vaughn Jones, Dennis Lee and Wesley Donaldson.
The family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate or to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P. O. Box 531, Statesboro, Georgia 30459.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.
Statesboro Herald, May 15, 2024
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.