MRS. IONE RYALS ECKLES, age 95, of Eastman, GA, died Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Navicent Health Medical Center in Macon.
MRS. IONE RYALS ECKLES, age 95, of Eastman, GA, died Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Navicent Health Medical Center in Macon.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00PM Sunday, August 29, in Eastman First Baptist Church, with Rev. Todd Crosby officiating with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Eckles was born in Trilby, FL and moved to Dodge County in 1937, a 1943 graduate of Chauncey High School, and a member of Eastman First Baptist Church and the Hope Sunday School Class. She was a beautician for many years. She and her husband were co-owners and operators of Eckles Grocery and Market for 23 years from 1950 until 1973. She was a retired Head Teller for the Bank of Eastman where she worked over 30 years. She was a dedicated wife and a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She enjoyed tending her flowers, bird watching, and cooking and baking for her family and friends. Mrs. Eckles was a devout Christian lady who enjoyed reading her Bible daily. She was the daughter of the late Lizzie Stanley Ryals and Reuben Flournoy Ryals, widow of Benjamin Jackson “Jack” Eckles, Sr., and was preceded in death by a son, Grover Lee “G.L.” Eckles, III, and 4 Siblings, Odell Schmidt Hack, Catherine Ryals, Lamar Ryals, Richard Ryals.
She is survived by her Son – Benjamin Jackson “Jack” Eckles, Jr. of Eastman; Brother – R.F. Ryals (Brenda) of Dublin; Daughters-in-law – Kay Askew Alexander (Tom) of Thomasville, Connie Popwell Eckles Lamar of Hawkinsville; Grandchildren – David L. Eckles of Athens, Michael A. Eckles (Tracy) of Tallahassee, FL, Benjamin J. Eckles, III (Jennifer) of Atlanta, Chandler Eckles, Grant Eckles (Erin), James Merritt Eckles (Melissa), and Laney Eckles Griffin (Fain), all of Hawkinsville; 13 Great Grandchildren – Bryson Faulk, Ellis Eckles, Caroline Eckles, Gray Griffin, Emerson Eckles, Lake Eckles, Ellie Eckles, Gentry Jane Griffin, Grover Eckles, Emilia Eckles, Bowen Eckles, Griff Griffin, and Fletcher Eckles; Sister-in-law – Valeria Burnham Eckles of Eastman; Several Nieces and Nephews and Several Special Friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, donate.lovetotherescue.org or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.