Eston Lee Oakes, 91, of Douglas, formerly of Fitzgerald, died Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Summer’s Landing in Douglas, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 12 Noon on Saturday, May 3, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with Rev. Matt Rutland officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Friday evening at the funeral home.
Mr. Oakes was born March 12, 1917 in Ben Hill County to the late Winfield and Evie Evans Oakes. He lived in Douglas for the past fifty years. Mr. Oakes was a former truck driver for Swift & Company in Douglas, former farm manager for Kimball Dairy Farm in Fitzgerald and a former employee of Currins Dairy in Broxton. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II and was a former member of the V.F.W. Mr. Oakes was a member of the First Congregational Christian Church in Douglas.
He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Nolan Lee & Sandra Oakes of Marietta; daughters and sons-in-law, Jeri & Ted Mitchell of Fitzgerald, Judy & Dan Rieker of Warner Robins and Joni & Russell Jump of Douglas; grandchildren. David Mitchell, Pamela O’Neill, Kevin Mitchell, Michael Oakes, Jason Oakes, Ashley Oakes, Brandon Rieker, Chelsey Jump and Kason Jump and 6 great grandchildren; sister, Laverne Morris of Vero Beach, FL as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wives, Eloise Pike Oakes and Jewell Ragsdale Oakes, one sister, Mildred Googe and one brother, Emory Oakes.
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethany Hospice, 201 Westside Drive, Douglas, GA 31533.