Seaborn Judge Royal, 82, of Irwin County, Georgia, died Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Sunday, September 27, 2020, at Frank Primitive Baptist Church in Irwin County, with Elder Edward McIntyre officiating. Interment will follow in Whitley Cemetery in Irwin County. The family will receive friends from 2-4 Sunday afternoon at Frank Primitive Baptist Church.
Mr. Royal was born July 12, 1938, in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late James Shinholster & Dorothy Josephine Harden Royal. He was a 1956 graduate of Irwin County High School. Mr. Royal earned an Associates degree in Agri-Business from Birdwood College in Thomasville in 1958. While in college, he rode a float in the Thomasville Rose Parade. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a passionate fox hunter and was very active in several associations. He served as President of the South Georgia Fox Hunters Association and the Georgia State Fox Hunters Association. Mr. Royal was inducted into the Fox Hunters Hall of Fame in 2011. He was the patriarch of the family and was always willing to help others, even if it meant going without himself. He was a humble man and a quiet servant and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was a longtime member of Frank Primitive Baptist Church where he sang in the choir.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Seagroves Royal of Irwin County; daughter, Stephanie Royal Williamson and her husband Kenneth Williamson of Irwin County; son, Seaborn Cletus “Clete” Royal and his wife Robin Lea Edwards Royal of Irwin County; grandchildren: Jeremy Williamson, Kelli Williamson Arnold and her husband Miles Arnold, Madison Royal, Judge Royal, and Thadd Royal; siblings: Mary Frances & Ronny Cantrell of Fitzgerald, Betty Laura Walker of Tifton, Charlotte Herrington of Milledgeville, Katie Arrington of Tifton, and Joe & Teresa Royal of Irwin County; and a sister-in-law: Mokana Royal Clements. Mr. Royal was to be a great-grandfather in February. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: William Erston “Billy” Royal, and James Whitley “Whit” Royal and his wife Evelyn Roberts Royal; a sister, Dorothy Royal Grimsley and her husband Pat Grimsley; and three brothers-in-law: Bobby Walker, James Arrington, and Larry Herrington.
The family wishes that flowers be omitted and memorials be given to Frank Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Walter Sumner, P.O. Box 112, Ocilla, GA 31774 or to Whitley Cemetery, c/o Mike Mobley, P.O. Box 2259, Moultrie, GA 31776-2259.