Jerell Handley Morgan, 88, of Ocilla, Georgia, died Wednesday, October 17, 2018, at Palemon Gaskins Memorial Nursing Home in Ocilla, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Bethel Baptist Church in Ocilla, Georgia, with the Rev. Tracy Clements officiating. She will lie in state, at the church, one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Frank Cemetery in Irwin County. The family will receive friends Friday evening, from 6 PM until 8 PM, at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Mrs. Morgan was born November 18, 1929, in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late George Leonard & Effie Tucker Handley. She lived in the community all of her life and worked at Walker’s 5 & 10 Dime Store, Cargile’s Grocery Store, the Ocilla Star and The Irwin County Elementary School. She loved gospel music and the singing group The Gaithers. Mrs. Morgan was the oldest charter member of Bethel Baptist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir.
She is survived by her two sons: Randy & wife, Barbara Ann Morgan and Tony & wife, Tharesa Morgan, all of Irwin County; grandchildren: Curt Morgan, Dawn Morgan Thompson & David Hardy, Allen Morgan & Rose and Sandy Pilcher & Al; great-grandchildren: Cam Morgan, Luke Morgan, Lizzie Morgan, Shaw Pilcher & fiancé Paulyna McIntyre, Seth Pilcher and Emma Grace Thompson; step-great-grandchildren: Chase & Heather Shattles and Chasidy Shattles; step-great-great-grandchildren: Easton Shattles and Hudson Shattles. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Randolph William Morgan; brothers: Cecil Handley, Tom Handley, the Rev. Delmar Handley and a sister, Shelby Jean Ritch.