John Charles Paulk, 91, of Irwin County, Georgia, died December 30, 2025, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Ocilla Methodist Church, with the Reverend Jay Roberson officiating. Eulogies will be given by William Frederick “Bill” Paulk, nephew, and Larry Young. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the sanctuary on Saturday. Interment will follow in the Ocilla City Cemetery.
Mr. Paulk was born April 23, 1934, in Berrien County, Georgia, to the late William Hardeman and Gertrude Griner Paulk. He moved with his family to Ocilla, Georgia, at the age of two years. He attended Lax Elementary School and Irwin County High School. His first job was a short stint as a bulldozer operator, before he became a full-time farmer. In 1964 he became a stockbroker, and in 1970 he became a John Deere tractor dealer, serving as president of Irwin County Tractor Company in Ocilla. In 1984, he left the dealership and went back to his true love of farming. He loved his land, his home, and his family. He was a member of Ocilla Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Annelle Hudson Paulk, of Irwin County; daughters Debbie Paulk Mixon (Jimmy) and Julie Paulk Williamson (Mike); grandchildren James Brian Walker (Amanda); Daniel Allen Walker (Courtney); Max Lee Walker (Caitlin); and four great- grandchildren, Eli, Eleanor, Frances, and Avery Walker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Charles David Paulk; two half-brothers, Wesley and Ralph Paulk; a half-sister, Grace Paulk; and a sister, Phyllis Paulk Ross Davis.
The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the care given Mr. Paulk by Janice Lott, Abide Home Care of Tifton, and Hospice of Tift Area.
Paulk Funeral Home, Ocilla, is in charge of arrangements.