He was #2 of 11 (2 which died as infants) siblings.

He was a tenant farmer as well as a master carpenter. Born in Emanuel county, he spent much of his life in Tattnall county. In the 1950's he and his family moved to Wayne county. In the early 1960's, they moved again to Glynn county where he remained until his death.
He had been an alcoholic for many years, but had remained alcohol free for quite some time before his death. On New Years Eve 1969, he fell ill. His wife and youngest son had went into town to pay some bills, buy some groceries, etc. He didn't feel up to going so stayed at home. Later, he was in such pain that he took a drink to ease it, then walked several miles to the local hospital. His pulmonary doctor saw him at the ER and refused to treat him. His reply was "I told you before, I don't treat drunks! When you sober up, call me!" He was not drunk. He had no choice but to return home, walking. When his wife & son returned home, they found him on the floor in front of the sink, dead from internal bleeding from a ruptured speen.
Edo Miller & Sons Funeral home in Brunswick was in charge of all arrangements. He had one service in Brunswick, then was transported to Tattnall county for his final service at Little Flock. The ground was frozen, the weather was very cold and gray. He was the first of his siblings to pass.

Granddaddy was my hero. I was the first grandchild, so I may have been a bit spoiled! Only 1 person other than himself was ever allowed in his garden - me. He would always buy me M & M's candy. When we went with my mother and grandmother to town for shopping or bill paying, he and I would go to the feed store so I could play with the biddies, then to a small grocery store to get a coke and bag of M & M's to enjoy while sitting at one of the small parks along the main street of town.

My daddy was in the US Navy, so was often gone. My mother would get her morning housework done, we'd have lunch then go over to granny and granddaddy's. We seemed to arrive around the time he was having lunch. I was only 2 or 3 and not quite talking plain yet. I would walk up to the table and pityfully say "Gann daddy, I not had no dinners" Of course I had just eaten! He would make a fuss at my mother and I'd eat all over again! My little brother was born in 1968 and as he learned to walk, he would hold onto the coffee table, put his tiny feet in grandaddy's shoes, walk around the table and say "Pappie Choose" (shoes).

He always grew the best vegetables and had beautiful flower beds. He seemed to have a way with growing things. He could be a joker or he could be stern. He was a great cook, often doing all the cooking when my grandmother worked. About 6ft 3in and weighing around 250 lb, he could be imposing, but he was always gentle with me. I am so very sorry he didn't get to see me grow up. He will always be missed.