Charles Maxwell "Max" DeBerry, 84, of Tifton died Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2013, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Terrell Roberts will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Mr. DeBerry’s grandsons, Craig Phillips, Chris Walker, Jason Walker, Justin DeBerry, Rick Layfield, Jimmy Gyr and Ryan Gyr will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 13, 2013, from 12:00 p.m. until the hour of the service at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. DeBerry was born on May 4, 1929 in Ocilla and was the son of Robert DeBerry and Mattie Lee Spicer DeBerry, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Lester DeBerry and Thurston DeBerry; and one sister, Jeanette DeBerry Pettis. He was retired from Arnett’s Milling Company after 40 years and was of the Baptist faith.
Mr. DeBerry is survived by his wife, Eleanor Lastinger DeBerry of Tifton; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Terry DeBerry of Tifton and Kenny and Judy DeBerry of Tallahassee, Florida; two daughters and one son-in-law, Pat and Wayne Walker of Lenox and Sharon Kay DeBerry of Tifton; one brother, Elton DeBerry of Ocilla; one sister, Edna Ruth Ayecock of Alapaha; 13 grandchildren, Craig Phillips, Kayse Layfield, Chris Walker, Jason Walker, Justin DeBerry, Amber DeBerry Hudson and her husband Ben, Jason DeBerry, Brian DeBerry, Amanda DeBerry, Rick Layfield, Jeremy Wright, Jimmy Gyr and Ryan Gyr; seven great-grandchildren, Bryce Phillips, Blake Layfield, Jaden Layfield, Kason Walker, Camden Hudson, Avery Walker and Isla-Ann Gyr; and his little dog that he loved dearly, Dusty.