Waldo Sandiford, 82, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Sunday, November 18, 2018, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge and Bro. Rick Ellis officiating. His grandson, Jake Kimbrell, will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
Mr. Sandiford was born August 2, 1936, in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late Thomas & Gladys Etheridge Sandiford. He was a 1955 graduate of Irwin County High School. Mr. Sandiford served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. He worked in HVAC with Jack Stuart for many years and was a maintenance technician for the Ben Hill County Board of Education. He enjoyed visiting and entertaining at local nursing homes with the Good News Singers. Mr. Sandiford was an avid Purple Hurricane fan, booster and held reserved seats for many years. When he was unable to attend a game in person, he was sure to tune in to the radio broadcast. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and enjoyed gardening and working in his yards. He grew lots of citrus on his fruit trees and shared with friends and neighbors. Mr. Sandiford was an active and dedicated member of Cornerstone Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, a Trustee, and sang in the choir.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Sandiford of Fitzgerald; children and their spouses: Anthony & Tami Sandiford of Tifton, Wanda & Wesley Kimbrell of Fitzgerald and Debra Lynn Browning of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: Hillary Katherine Taylor & Codey, Alecia Mildred Sandiford, Cara Nicole Kimbrell, Jacob Waldon Kimbrell, Anna Katherine Kimbrell, Megan LeAnn Sandiford, MeLisa Lynn Sandiford, Matthew Leilan Sandiford, Martin Luke Browning, and Michael Lewis Browning; two great-grandchildren: Bentley Sandiford and Bryson Brady; two brothers: Stanley & Vivian Sandiford of Midland and Bobby Sandiford of Sylvester; and a sister, Linda & Tony Quinney of Tifton.