Obituary for Delma Veal

MR. DELMA RAY VEAL, age 97, of Eastman, GA, died Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the Heart of Georgia Nursing Home in Eastman.

 Funeral services will be held at 3:00PM Sunday, March 5, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Larry Wilbanks and Rev. Sterling Averett officiating, with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.

 Mr. Veal was born in Wrightsville, GA in 1925, and was a member of Eastman First Baptist Church. He was a former member and a deacon for over 38 years at Zebulon Baptist Church in Eastman. Mr. Veal grew up and worked on the family farm in his youth and after leaving school he joined the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Guadalcanal and the USS John R. Craig during World War II. He was a veteran who served his country proudly and was a fine example of what is known as the greatest generation. He married and moved to McRae and worked for 15 years at Valder-Wooten as a seed, feed and pecan processing supervisor and later retired from Stuckey’s Candy Company as a purchasing agent and supervisor over the Pecan Department for over 18 years. He was a dedicated husband and a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed gardening, working in his yard, woodworking, and fishing in his pond. During his later years he lived at Dogwood Gardens Senior Living and was a vibrant member of their family. He loved to work jigsaw puzzles and tend the flowers during his 7 years there. Delma was the son of the late Grace Waller Veal and Cosby Lee Veal, Sr. and was preceded in death by his Wife of 54 years, Shirley Joiner Veal and his Wife of 11 years, Marie Barnett Veal. Mr. Veal was also preceded in death by his Daughter, Jan Veal Evans, and 7 Siblings, Myra Claxton, Ana Laura Joiner, Lanora “Skeeter” Joiner, Lila Roberts, Nell Hogan, Vivian Skipper, and Cosby L. “Boker” Veal, Jr.

 He is survived by his Daughter – Julie Veal Griffin (Bobby) of Chester; 3 Grandchildren – Amy Griffin Brock (Eddie), Tori Veal Perry (Grant) both of Gainesville, GA, and Keeli Evans Wadley (Scott) of Rincon, GA; 7 Great-Grandchildren – Anna Grace Brock, Griffin Brock, Hank Brock, Lilly Perry, Maggie Perry, Andrew Wadley, and Ben Wadley; Sister – Mary Veal Lyles of Wrightsville, GA; Brother – Chester Veal (Suzanne) of Wrightsville; Several Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces, and Great-Nephews.

 The family may be contacted at the residence of Bobby and Julie Griffin, 467 Griffin Lane, Chester, GA 31012, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 2:00PM-3:00PM Sunday, March 5. In addition to flowers, contributions can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.