Mr. James A. McAfee, age 88, formerly of Highway 15 South in Tennille passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023, at the Heritage Inn of Sandersville following an extended illness. A graveside funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, April 26th at 2:00 P.M. in the Zeta Cemetery of Tennille. Mr. Carl Forrester will officiate. Benjie Joiner, Steve Joiner, A.J. Orr, Erik Orr, William McMaster, and Carl Moye will serve as pallbearers.
Mr. McAfee was born and reared in Tennille, the son of the late Wilbur Ray McAfee and the late Annie Julia Blount McAfee. He graduated from the Tennille High School, where he excelled in playing football, and enlisted into the United States Army as a Military Policeman. Upon his return from active service, James attended Middle Georgia College and continued service in the Army Reserves. Mr. McAfee began his working career with Citizens Finance of Milledgeville and Florida. He returned home to Tennille for sales with Electro-Mech Scoreboard Company of Wrightsville before transitioning into the Kaolin Industry with Thiele, from which he retired. James enjoyed watching sports and playing golf. Mr. McAfee was a member of the Twin City Country Club. He was well-regarded as a man with a passion for experiencing all that life offers, while loving, treasuring, and providing for his family. In addition to his parents, James is preceded in death by his wife, Amelia Brantley McAfee; son, Larry McAfee; and son-in-law, Randy Dunn.
Survivors include his children, Patsy McAfee Dunn of Tennille, Julie McAfee Orr and husband Allen of Sandersville, and Lynn McAfee Gilbert and husband Bill of Midway; grandchildren, Erik Orr and wife Alicia of Dudley, A.J. Orr and wife Kelli of Houston, Texas, Anna Dunn of Sandersville, Rachel Gilbert Shoemake and husband Casey of Woodstock, and Brooke Gilbert of Pooler; great-grandchildren, Caden Dalessandro, Madison Orr, Mac Orr, and Walker Shoemake; siblings, Jean McAfee Joiner of Tennille, Mary McAfee Moye of Tennille, and Faye McAfee McMaster and her husband Billy of Tennille; and nieces and nephews, Benjie Joiner and wife Connie, Steve Joiner and wife Jana, Martha Joiner Campbell and husband Bobby, Ann McAfee Warren and husband Ben, Carl Moye and wife Casey, Kay McMaster Buckholts and husband Charlie, and William McMaster and wife Gina.
Donations may be made to the Tennille United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 265, Tennille, Georgia 31089 or to Brentwood School, P.O. Box 955, Sandersville, Georgia 31082.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.