November 25, 1939 - May 12, 2024
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 Pittmann High 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 guest While working there 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 Sizzling 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, kindhearted, 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, NC. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday at Joiner Anderson Funeral Home from 12:00 pm until the funeral hour at 1:00 pm with Elder Randy Waters officiating.
Interment will follow in Bulloch Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Wayne Paulk, Jason Paulk, Terry Strickland, Von Jones, Dennis Lee and Wesley Donaldson.
The family request that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate or 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 the arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Belle, please visit our floral store.
