Charles Ray Markham, affectionately known as “Lefty”, 87, of Ty Ty departed this earthly life on Friday, April 23, 2021, to begin his dream of being heaven’s door greeter. He was surrounded by family. His funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2021, at First Baptist Church of Ty Ty with the Rev. Rodney Owens officiating. Mr. Markham will be laid to rest at First Baptist Church of Ty Ty Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday, April 26, 2021, at First Baptist Church of Ty Ty from 3:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Brent Chambless, Aaron Wildes, Warren Nelms, Dustin Nelms, Wesley Chambless and Cody Meeks will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of First Baptist Church Joy Fellowship.
Born April 12, 1934 in Guin, Alabama, Mr. Markham was the son of the late Banks Markham Sr. and Ethel Barton Markham. In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Barbara Markham; brothers, Banks Markham Jr. and Roger Dale Markham; son-in-law, Danny Nelms; father and mother-in-law, GP and Mary Luke; brother-in-law, Leon White; and nephew, Christopher Thomas Markham. Mr. Markham served in the United States Army as an “MP” before joining the Experiment Station in Tifton, where he worked for 30 years before retiring. Mr. Markham loved to talk about raising blueberries, chickens, watching the Braves and Bulldogs and, most importantly, he loved to make sure everyone he met knew GOD and that they had a church home. He loved eating dinner surrounded by his family and his special grand fur babies, Dolly, Molly, Jack, Ruthy Jane and Macey Gace. Mr. Markham was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Ty Ty, having joined at the age of 19.
Mr. Markham is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Randy Chambless of Ty Ty and Rebecca “Becky” Nelms of Poulan; grandchildren and their spouses, Kannetha and Robert Clem of Sylvester, Dustin Nelms of Poulan, Warren Nelms of Savannah and Melanie Davis of Sylvester; great-grandchildren, Skylar Clem and Aaron Wildes, Jaden Clem, Brynlee Davis and Anniston Nelms, Eva Battraw (Scarlett, Brynzley and Emily Walters); brothers, William and Marsha Markham of Roswell and Wayne and Christie Markham of Sycamore; and his wife’s siblings, Franklin and Sherrell Luke of Cecil, Sonny and Susie Luke, Richard and Paula Luke and Randy and Mandy Luke and Bernice White, all of Tifton, Penny and Jerry Brogdon, Judy Dale and Larry Hogan, all of Nashville; and special extended family members, LaFerrell and Mary Alice Salter and Debra and Brad Jones.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Tift Area and Ms. Jill Booth for their special care of Mr. Markham during his illness. The family also would like to thank Dr. Loraine Sumner for the amazing care through the years. During the last few years, we are sure that it was him checking on Dr. Sumner to make sure she was okay, instead of her checking on him.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church of Ty Ty, P. O. Box 158, Ty Ty, GA 31795 or Best Friends Humane Society, 787 Ephesus Church Road, Poulan, GA 31781.