Robert Louis “R. L.” Gay, 94, of Omega died Thursday, October 16, 2014, at his residence. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, 2014, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with Rev. Charles R. Gay, Jr. officiating. Mr. Gay will be laid to rest at Omega Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 18, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Randy Gay, Freddy Permenter, Rob Permenter, Rodney Glaze, Ricky Baker and Chris Gay will serve as pallbearers.
Mr. Gay was born on October 9, 1920 in Ty Ty and was the son of Charlie Mack Gay (died 4/27/1981) and Nora Blanche “Pendley” Gay (died 11/3/1977) of Norman Park. Both families are buried at Salem Baptist Church Cemetery. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Dubose Helms Gay, who died July 30, 1996; a son, Jerry Helms, who died August 28, 1980; one brother, Ralph A. Gay (died 5/1/2000) of Jasper, Florida; a sister, Mildred L. Gay (born 1/3/1927; died 3/19/1927); and a grandson, Doug Mitchell.
Mr. Gay retired from the Lakeland Water Department in Lakeland, Florida. He served in the United States Army Air Corps Signal Corps during World War II (9/16/1942-1/14/1946), receiving numerous medals. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Omega
Mr. Gay is survived by a son, Jimmy Mac Gay of Kathleen, Florida; two daughters, Shirley Helms Marchant of Tifton and Janet Helms Rome of Thomasville; ten grandchildren and their spouses, Randy and Ashley Gay of Lakeland, Florida, Brandy Leigh Gay-Schulz of Lakeland, Florida, Amy Lynn Gay of Omega, Yolanda and Ricky Baker of Tifton, Nancy Glaze of Tifton, Patsy and Freddy Permenter of Statenville, Lorie Marchant of Tifton, Matt Rome of Thomasville, Chris Rome of Thomasville and Melissa Mitchell; eleven great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and three brothers, James E. Gay of Jefferson, Charles “Ronald” Gay of Jefferson and Glen E. Gay of Sand Hill, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 38, P. O. Box 2382, Tifton, GA 31793.