STILSON, Ga. -- Mr. John Ray Stalcup, age 85, died Saturday, June 24, 2023, at his residence under the care of Regency SouthernCare Hospice.

John Ray was born in Powder Springs, Georgia, and moved to Savannah as a child and later to Bulloch County.

He was a member of the first graduating class of Southeast Bulloch High School in 1956.

Following his graduation, he joined the U.S. Marines, serving for several years, and then joined the Marine Corps Reserves.

He married Helen Lee in October of 1958 and the two made their home on his family farm in Bulloch County.

John Ray would continue to be a farmer for many years and also began a career with Loxcreen Company, where he retired following 25 years of dedicated service. He was also employed by the Bulloch County Board of Education as a school bus driver for several years.

Following his retirement, he began working with the Bulloch County Recycling Center for several years.

John Ray was a member of Old Fellowship Baptist Church in Stilson.

During his spare time, John Ray enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bon Shade Stalcup and Montine Moore Stalcup; a daughter, Montie Morris; four sisters and a brother.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Helen Lee Stalcup of Stilson; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Deborah Stalcup of Rocky Ford, Lavinia and Wesley Martin of Newington and Becky and Paul Ward of Statesboro; four grandchildren, Kelli (Danny) Dickerson of Brooklet, Emory Morris of Brooklet, John Kicklighter of Newington and Kay (Gilbert) Tillman of Leefield; eight great-grandchildren and a sister, Mary Frances Harville of Statesboro.

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro.

The funeral service will be at 6 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with Brother Wade McElveen officiating. Interment will follow in Bulloch Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Emory Morris, John Kicklighter, Gilbert Tillman, Danny Dickerson, Wesley Martin and Paul Ward.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Strickland, Daniel Lee, Brannen Beasley, Ronnie Cribbs and Glenn Hendrix.

Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, June 27, 2023

Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.