Rincon - Thomas Odell Triplett, Sr., 71, went to be with the Lord on June 23, 2006 after a courageous battle with cancer. Tom was born March 11, 1935 in Watauga County, North Carolina. He retired from Citizens & Southern National Bank after 34 years of service. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 18 years and was the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. He served as member of the Governors Judicial Nominating Commission and on the World Congress Overview Committee and the Policy Committee. He served on the Department of Transportation Board for 10 years and formerly served on Congressman Max Burns Congressional Staff. He was Former Mayor and Councilman for the City of Portwentworth, former member of the Chatham Savannah Board of Education, and was on the Memorial Medical University Hospital Authority Board. Tom was a member of First Baptist Church of Rincon and teacher of the Fellowship Sunday School Class. To honor some of his many accomplishments in the community, Chatham County designated a park on Highway 80 in Pooler as Tom Triplett Park and more recently named a section of Highway 21 Tom Triplett Parkway. He was preceeded in death by his mother, Irene Triplett, and 2 sons, Grant and Brian Triplett. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Judy Lancaster Triplett; one son, Thomas Odell Triplett, Jr. (Tommy) his wife Gay Mann Triplett and two grandchildren, Hunter Triplett and Ansley Triplett of Rincon; his father, Rev. Carl Triplett of Kingsport, TN; two sisters, Martha Trent (Dean) of Kingsport, TN, and Mary Dunn (David) of Westpoint, GA; three brothers, William Triplett (Becky) of Sylvania, Howard Triplett (Frances) of Danridge, TN, and Charles Triplett (Joy) of Morristown, TN; brothers -in-law and sisters-in-law, Pete and Loretta Lancaster, Tommy and Carolyn Lancaster, Lemuel and Judy Lancaster, Tommy and Winnie Ennis, and Newel Kessler; and a number of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Saturday at funeral home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday First Baptist Church of Rincon. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Remembrances may be given to First Baptist Church of Rincon Building Fund, 201 E. 6th Street, Rincon, GA 31326. Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home Effingham Chapel 2460 Hwy 21 South Midway Between Rincon and Springfield (912) 754-6421 Savannah Morning News June 24, 2006