Kermit L. Elliott, 83, of Ocilla, Georgia, died Monday, November 19, 2018, at Palemon Gaskins Memorial Nursing Home, in Ocilla, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Friday, November 23, 2018, at Ocilla Baptist Church in Ocilla, with the Rev. Robert Couey and the Rev. Billy Stephens officiating. Interment will follow in Frank Cemetery, Irwin County, where Mr. Elliott hand-selected his cemetery plot to be between those of his two quarterbacks, Oscar Roberts and Walter Sumner. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the sanctuary.
Mr. Elliott was born February 26, 1935, in Willacoochee, Georgia, to the late Daniel & Mamie Gaskins Elliott. He moved to Vidalia where he was star quarterback in high school. He served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War and returned to play baseball at South Georgia College in Douglas under Coach Bobby Bowden. He transferred to Georgia Teacher’s College, now Georgia Southern University. In 1960, he moved to Fitzgerald and worked alongside Coach Joe Compton. He accepted a position as a teacher and assistant football coach under Ralph Cook at Irwin County High School in 1963 and became head coach in 1966. During his two years as Head Coach, he led the Indians to Back to Back Region Titles and a 21 and 4 record. His Indians never lost a region game. His 1967 team played in the State Semifinals and his 1968 team played Roswell for the State Championship. On June 1, 1969, Mr. Elliott began his career in banking in Ocilla and quickly became known as “Mr. First State Bank”. He would work for almost 40 years at First State Bank of Ocilla, which would later become PlantersFirst Bank. After a six-month retirement, he accepted an offer to serve as President of a new branch of Wilcox County State Bank known as Irwin County State Bank. Mr. Elliott was very civic minded, helping to form the city’s Recreation Authority, and serving on the Christmas Lights committee, and the Ocilla Tree Committee. He was an avid golfer and played church-league softball. He was an active member of Ocilla Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.
He is survived by his sons: Kell Elliott of Valdosta and Kent & Angela Elliott of Charleston, South Carolina; grandchildren: Karolyn & Paul Baker of San Jose, California, Jordan Elliott of Rome, Chris & MacKenzie Clevenger of Savannah, Morgan Elliott of Charleston, South Carolina, and Madison Elliott of Charleston, South Carolina; and great-grandchildren: Christian Baker and Barbara Grace Baker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma C. Elliott; one brother; and two sisters.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Hospice Care Options, 200 S. Cherry Street, Ocilla, GA 31774.