Ronnie Wayne Hand, 63, of Tifton died Monday, June 2, 2014, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2014, at Tift Avenue Baptist Church. Rev. Terrell Roberts will officiate with burial to follow in Omega Cemetery. DeVaughn Harris, Benny Newbern, Mike Cannady, Virgil Johnson, Bill Cowden, Obie Griffin and Jackie Stone will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Theo Jackson and the deacons and trustees of Tift Avenue Baptist Church. The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Mr. Hand will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service.
Mr. Hand was born on April 30, 1951 in Reynolds and was the son of Carey Jackson Hand and Irma Ruth McElmurray Hand, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by five brothers, William Danny Hand, LaRue Hand, DeVaughn Hand, Carey Lamar Hand and Randy Hand. He had lived in Tifton for 58 years.
Mr. Hand graduated from Tift County High School in 1969 and received a diploma from Moultrie Tech, specializing in automotive air conditioning. He also attended Norman Baptist Assembly for two years. He was the former owner and operator of Smith’s Chevron Station. He worked at Tifton Aluminum, R. E. Carmichael, Powerhouse and was retired from the City of Tifton. He was an ordained deacon and served as an active member and trustee at Tift Avenue Baptist Church. He enjoyed working on small engines and his tractor. Ronnie was always helping others and loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Mr. Hand is survived by his wife of 34 years, Annie Ruth Bryan Hand of Omega; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Justin and Allie Hand of Mechansville, Maryland, Russell and Lisa Hand of Tifton and Bryan Giddens of Tifton; one daughter and son-in-law, Lottie V. “Ginger” and Rev. Mark Woods of Washington, Georgia; one brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Brenda Hand of Ty Ty; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Jackie and Randy Stripling of Chula, Margie Whittington of Tifton and Carolyn Burch of Tifton; and eight grandchildren, Colton and Reed Hand, both of Mechansville, Maryland, Madison and Bryce Giddens, both of Tifton, Sky Hand of San Diego, California, Caleb and Carson Woods of Washington, Georgia; and Katey Michelle Saylor Hand of Tifton.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Tiftarea, P. O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793.