J. F. Giddens, 74, died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 at the Pavilion. J. F. was born June 2, 1937 in Appling County and had resided here all of his life. He was retired and before retirement he was employed by Hazlehurst Mills as a loom technician for 37 years. Mr. Giddens was a member of Big Oaks Church of God and was in the Adult Sunday-School Class and Prime Timers of Big Oaks Church of God. He was the son of the late Daniel Moses Giddens and the late Janie Hargroves Giddens. J. F. was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Betty J. Giddens and two sisters, Joyce and Ruth Clark.
Survivors include his wife, Bertie Davis Giddens of Baxley; two daughters, Latrell Lawrence of Baxley, Marsha Rowell and husband, Darrell of Mt. Vernon; two sons, Danny Giddens and wife, Betty of Baxley and Frankie Giddens and wife, Katherine of Baxley; eleven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, three step-daughters, Patricia Joiner of Baxley, Tammy Davis of Baxley and Melissa Burton of Baxley; one step-son, Robert Joiner an wife, Barbara of Baxley; ten step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at Big Oaks Church of God with the Rev. Mark Grimes and the Rev. Virginia Herrington officiating. Interment followed in Zoar Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bo Dubberly, Billy Davis, Harvey Wilfred, Joey Lewis, Robert Joiner, Alvin Joiner and Keith Norris.
Honorary pallbearers were Big Oaks Church of God Adult Sunday-School class, the Pavilion nursing home staff and Darrell and Becky McDowell.
Musical selections were rendered by Melissa Burton, Shonda Evans and David Williams.
Arrangements were under the direction of David E. Miles Funeral Home.