Charles W. “Sleepy” Ross, 84, of Ocilla, Georgia, died Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at Pruitt Healthcare in Ocilla, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Irwin County, Georgia, with the Rev. John Gibbs, Jr. and the Rev. James Griffin officiating. Interment will follow in Brushy Creek Cemetery, Irwin County. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Friday evening at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Mr. Ross was born May 6, 1937, in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late Charles William (Bill) & Lillie Priscilla Handley Ross. He was a 1956 graduate of Irwin County High School. He played basketball and was All-State. He was Region winner and State Runner-up in 1955. Mr. Ross was an avid Irwin County Indian and was considered by some to be an Indian Historian, recalling many statistics and records of the Indians. He retired from Delco Remy with 29 years of service to General Motors. He was a sports junkie and loved to play, watch, and listen. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, tennis, bowling, and anything involving a ball. He enjoyed watching the stock market as well. Mr. Ross was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sara Ross of Ocilla; sons: Don & Karen Ross of Ocilla and Greg & Heather Ross of Ocilla; grandchildren: Christi & Bryan Allen, Evan Ross, Tanner Ross, Felicia Howard, and J. B. & McKenzie Cote’; and great-grandchildren: Ian Ross Allen, Kate Allen, Olivia Howard, Coraline Cote’, and Feliz Cote’. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter: Teresa Cote’; grandson, William Donald “Donnie” Ross; a granddaughter, Jessica Lorane Ross; and two brothers: Charles William Ross, Jr. and James Aubrey Ross.