Jimmie Celeste Thrift

Nahunta – Jimmie Celeste Murray Thrift, 82, of Nahunta passed away Friday (September 15, 2023) at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross.

Born in Folkston, Ga., her parents were Jasper C. Murray and Estelle Olivia Bennett Murray. She is also preceded in death by a daughter, Rhonda Celeste Hanson; 3 sisters, Claudette Murray, Lillian Taylor, Theresa Lee; and two brothers, Claude Murray and Richard Murray.

Jimmie and her husband, Chester, accepted Christ as their Savior at the age of 20.  At the age of 30 God called Chester into the gospel ministry.  Jimmie followed her husband as he followed the Lord, and she faithfully served the Lord alongside her husband for over 50 years.  She was a devoted wife for 63 years, a loving mother, and a committed Christian.

The following verses convey her heart and express well how she lived her life:

Psalm 146:2 “While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.”

Psalm 47:6-7 “Sing praises unto God: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.  For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.”

Survivors include her husband, Chester Thrift of Nahunta; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Pam Copes (Jeff) of Oklahoma and Donna Lynn Jones (Ken) of Deltona, Fl.; 5 grandchildren, Joshua Hanson of NH, April Frazier of Plant City, FL., Victoria Copes of Oklahoma, Caleb Jones and Faith Jones both of Deltona, FL.; 5 great grandchildren, Sawyer Hanson, Amelia Hanson both of New Hampshire, Avalyn Frazier of Plant City, Valentina Jones and Lily Jones both of Deltona, FL.; 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Russell Murray (Zada) and Herbert Murray (Sue) both of Folkston; and also several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Visitation will be held 30 minutes prior to the service Thursday (September 21, 2023) starting at 10:30AM at Riverside Chapel Baptist Church.

A funeral service will be held Thursday (September 21, 2023) at 11AM at Riverside Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Bruce Turner officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverside Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Jones, Ken Jones, Jeff Copes, Matt Frazier, D.J. Johns, and Josh Hanson.

Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.