Charles E. Steed, 91, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald.
A graveside service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, April 30, 2016, at the family site in Evergreen Cemetery. The Rev. Mike Benson will officiate the service and a special tribute will be given by Lisa Evans. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM, in the Paulk Funeral Home.
Mr. Steed began his journey in this world May 21, 1924 in Fitzgerald, Georgia, born to the late Loulie Glover and Earl Thomas Steed. He graduated Fitzgerald High School in 1941 where he began a lifelong love of sports, as a member of the Fitzgerald High School football team. He attended North Georgia Military College where he was a member of the boxing team. A natural athlete, he later took up tennis and was active in the Fitzgerald adult tennis circles for years.
He was proud to be recognized as a member of “The Greatest Generation”, serving honorably in the United States Navy from April, 1943 to May, 1946 as a Petty Officer, Second Class. At one point during his WWII service, he was stationed in Savannah, Georgia with duty aboard a “Submarine Chaser”, patrolling the waters of the SE United States coastline in search of enemy submarines. He was always proud of his WWII service and continued to support Veterans’ causes throughout his life. Mr. Steed returned to Fitzgerald where he was co-owner of Ben Hill Auto Parts prior to owning Steed Concrete Company for 23 years. An avid history enthusiast, Mr. Steed and his wife of 66 years, Lawana Daves Steed, spent many of the early retirement years traveling the United States and abroad, realizing their dream of visiting the many special locations he had studied of for so long. He was a proud member of Pine Level Lodge for 68 years as well as Hasan Shrine in Albany. He was well known for his love of animals of all types and his uncanny, natural mechanical skills. He was well known as the neighborhood “Mr. Fix-It” who kept all the area kids’ bicycles, go-carts and toys in running order. His latter years were devoted to caring for his beloved Lawana.
He is survived by his wife: Lawana Daves Steed; two sons: Daves Steed and his wife Kathy of Macon and Tommy Steed and his wife Angela of Monroe; grandsons: Eric Steed and wife Morgan of Gainesville and David Steed and his fiancé` Lauren Milligan of Monroe. The family also wishes to acknowledge the dedicated service of caregivers: Minnie & Jennifer Shelton and Shelia Horne. In addition to his parents, Mr. Steed was preceded in death by his sister: Edna Earle Swanson.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials, may send them to the Ben Hill Humane Society, 106 Lions Park Road, Fitzgerald, Georgia.