Paul Sikes Sandifer, 60, of Tifton passed away Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Palemon Gaskins Memorial Nursing Home in Ocilla. His funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 3, 2023, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church with Tyler Sandifer officiating. Mr. Sandifer will be laid to rest at Tift Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 3, 2023, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church from 2:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Born November 29, 1963, in Fargo, Georgia, Mr. Sandifer was the son of the late Tillman Arthur Sandifer and Marjorie Catherine Sikes Sandifer. He was a member of Tifton’s First Baptist Church.
Paul was the epitome of EXTRA - Extra chromosome. Extra joy. And an Extra-ordinary life.
Paul found EXTRA JOY in the simplest of things- a Hershey Bar, a can of coke, a chest filled with pennies, and (of course) his collection of can tabs.
He had a knack for names and birthdays. When he saw you, he would call you by name and likely remind you of your birthday. Being remembered brings that reassurance of belonging. But Paul’s extra kick of knowing your birthday made his friends feel known.
His greetings were exuberant. For example, “I will forever hear Uncle Paul call out my name the first time (each time) he saw me. “KATE!” He would exclaim, throwing up his hands with both surprise and excitement that I was there. Always followed by a hug.
He was extra thankful for simple things. When something went his way, he would clasp his hands in prayer and proclaim “Halle-LOU-lah!” (He would use those same prayer hands to beg “please, please, please!” when he wanted things to go his way.)
His celebrations were excessive. We all know the phrase “dance like no one is watching”- but Paul danced like EVERYONE was watching and he was Michael Jackson. He didn’t care- in fact, he liked it that way. Because he had the time of his life on a dance floor; and it gave the rest of us permission to join in the fun.
Today Paul is experiencing the celebration of a lifetime. We’ve no doubt he is dancing, singing at the top of his lungs- and probably playing the harmonica. Everyone understands exactly what he’s saying to them; and we can hear him whisper “Wooooooowwwww” as he sees how extraordinary Heaven is- greater than any Christmas tree or lights’ display.
We’re so at peace for him, but a world without Paul will always be missing that something extra.
Mr. Sandifer is survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Steve and Vicki Sandifer of Eufaula, Alabama and Mark and Venita Sandifer of Tifton; one sister and brother-in-law, Dawn and Mark Hand of Tifton; his aunts and uncles, Barbara and Billy Johnson, Bill and Jean Sandifer, Judy and Claude Barker and Trinka Sandifer; his nieces and nephews, Amy (Wes) Black, Becca (Billy) Sunday, Kate (Craig) Walton, Tyler (Rachel) Sandifer, Brant (Abby) Sandifer, Erin (Adam) Davis, Taylor (Derek) Morgan, Lucas (Kelly) Hand and Sam (Aubree) Hand; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Paul’s family would like to express a special “thank you” to their Sunnydale Family in Ocilla for caring for and loving Paul.
Flowers will be accepted; or memorial gifts may be made to Irwin County ARC, P. O. Box 614, Ocilla, GA 31774.