Mary “DeLois” Howell Handley, age 77, a lifelong resident of Irwin County, died November 21, 2018 after an extended illness.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Sunday, November 25, 2018, at Satilla Baptist Church, Wray, GA, with Reverend William Pope and Elder Edward McIntyre officiating. Interment will follow in Frank Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Paulk Funeral Home, Ocilla, Saturday evening, November 24, from 6 PM to 8 PM.
Mrs. Handley was born September 7, 1941 in Irwin County to the late Jesse Jackson Howell, Sr. and Mary Ella Lindsey Howell. As a student at Irwin County High School, Mrs. Handley enjoyed playing girls’ varsity basketball all four years and served as co-captain her senior year. Much of her career was spent working with the Irwin County School System as a secretary and kindergarten paraprofessional followed by 25 ½ years as Library Manager at Irwin County Public Library. Mrs. Handley enjoyed being a part of the Young Farmers’ Wives, the Red Hat Society (the fun-loving red hatters), the Lunch Club, and the Quilters’ Guild. Her family was her priority and she was determined to attend grandchildren’s sporting and church events as long as she was physically able. She was a member of Satilla Baptist Church, Wray, GA.
She is survived by her spouse of 59 years, Dwight Handley, of the Frank Community in Irwin County; children and their spouses: Cathy and Allen Herrin of Fitzgerald, Connie Adams Kimbrell of Hull, Christy and Scott Barber of Alapaha; grandchildren: Lindsey Faulkner, Leslie Lewis, Lea Clancy, Justin Adams, Lauryn Williams, Samuel Barber, Christian Barber, Scarlett Barber, Carrington Barber; six great-grandchildren; siblings: Jesse Howell, Jr. & Carol of Fitzgerald, Jimmy Howell, Sr. of Fitzgerald, Laverne Tucker & Joe of Alapaha, Sammy Howell & Gail of Fitzgerald, Lamar Howell & Rhonda of Tifton, Donnie Howell & Debbie of Fitzgerald, Ronnie Howell & Dianne of Warner Robins, Dean Howell of Lake City, FL, and Dianne Kinnett & Jimmy of Leesburg, and a multitude of nephews, nieces, cousins, and in-laws. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Jeanette Woods, and an infant brother, Jerry Wayne Howell as well as two sons-in-law: Darrell Adams and Jade Kimbrell.
The family extends a special thank you to Debbie Heath for sitting with our dear one during the last several weeks when we needed extra hands and a special thank you to the employees of Hospice of Tift Area and Tift Regional Dialysis Center for the weeks of assistance with our beloved.