James E. “Edwin” Paul, 76, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Sunday, August 30, 2020, at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at Arbor Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Tommy White will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Tuesday evening at Arbor Baptist Church.
Mr. Paul was born September 16, 1943, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to the late Elbert & Rosa Lee Young Paul. He was a 1962 graduate of Fitzgerald High School. He served honorably for 27 years in the Georgia Army National Guard. He worked for H.R. Kaminsky & Sons and was a meter reader for Fitzgerald Utilities. He worked on the assembly line for Delphi Automotive Systems. Mr. Paul helped in the establishment of The Raynor Company and worked in several capacities there as well. He was named an Honorary Deputy of the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office by Sheriff Lee Cone. Mr. Paul enjoyed blessing others and was always willing to help in any way possible. Many homes in Ben Hill County have a wooden treasure handcrafted by Mr. Paul. For many years, he hosted Santa Claus at his home and made sure every child that visited received a wooden ornament that he crafted. He was a member and Deacon of Arbor Baptist Church and was active in many ministries of the church as well as Imagine Ministries, building ramps at people’s homes for easy access.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Brenda M. Paul; his grandsons: Tyler Lee Paul, Tate Lee Paul and his fiancé Katie Easom, Tanner Lee Paul, and Taylor Lee Paul and their mother Wendy Paul; two great-grandchildren: Abigail Paul and Tracy Paul and their mother Erica Taylor; two sisters: Pat Ray and Betty Hall; and a brother, Robert Paul, all of Fitzgerald. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Edwin Tracy Paul; and a sister, Shirley Whitley.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Arbor Baptist Church Building Fund, 1137 North Merrimac Drive Extension, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.