Aaron H. Youngblood, age 78, of North Brown Street in Oconee unexpectedly passed away at his residence on Thursday, December 1, 2022. A graveside funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday, December 4th at 2:00 P.M. in the Antioch Christian Church of Oconee. Roy Crowe will officiate.
Mr. Youngblood was born outside of the city limits of Dexter on February 25, 1944, as one of six boys to the late Mac Donal Youngblood and the late Amanda Dykes Youngblood. He was a graduate of the Dexter High School and Middle Georgia College. Aaron was employed by the Central State Hospital in Milledgeville when he was drafted by the United States Army at the age of 23 to serve as Radio Operator on the front lines in Vietnam. Following his discharge from the Army, Mr. Youngblood returned to Milledgeville resume work at Central State Hospital and attend Georgia College and State University. While enrolled at GC&SU, he met and married the love of his life Melanie McDonald in 1972. After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, he moved to LaGrange to launch the WIC program and work as an accountant at the Georgia Department of Public Health West Central Health District. Aaron and his wife would also own and operate a Huddle House franchise and two ice cream parlors. After the birth of his first daughter, Amanda, Mr. Youngblood returned to Milledgeville in 1981 to join the Georgia Department of Corrections. He relocated to Oconee prior to the birth of his second daughter, Mary Elinor. Aaron would retire from the Georgia DOC as a Weapons & Knife Defense Instructor. In retirement, Mr. Youngblood enjoyed gardening, drinking coffee each afternoon, and visiting with his extended family. He was known for his quick wit. Aaron loved to entertain family and spend time with his cherished grandchildren. Mr. Youngblood was preceded in death by his infant son, John McDonal Youngblood; and brothers, MD Youngblood, Jr., Russell Youngblood, and Jack Youngblood.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Melanie McDonald Youngblood; daughters, Amanda Youngblood Collins and husband Daniel of Oconee and Mary Elinor Youngblood Hodges and husband Bryan of Oconee; grandchildren, Graybill Collins, Tucker Collins, John Taylor Hodges, Caroline Hodges, and Mac Aaron Hodges all of Oconee; brother Phil Youngblood and wife Joy of Alamo, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May & Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.