Ernest Giddens, 82, of Tifton died Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2011 in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Dr. Danny Ray and Rev. Bill Hamilton will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Johnny Tawzer, Coy Tawzer, Cecil Giddens, Earl Giddens, James Giddens, Randy Ogletree, Danny Ogletree and Keith Harris will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Giddens was born on September 16, 1929 in Pearson and was the son of Joe E. Giddens and Sally Mercer Giddens, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by three brothers; two sisters; and two grandsons, Brian Guess and Brent Guess. He was the retired owner of Giddens Grocery and Market and a member of Wayside Baptist Church.
Mr. Giddens is survived by his wife, Emogene Yancey Giddens of Tifton; two sons and daughters-in-law, Eugene and Peggy Giddens of Lakeland, Florida and Emory and Sheri Giddens of Moultrie; one daughter, Elaine Giddens of Tallahassee, Florida; one brother, Fred Giddens of Uvalda; two sisters, Jo Ann Snipes of Albany and Lucille Birch of Douglas; three grandchildren and their spouses, Eugene and Zoe Giddens, Jr., Eric and Becky Giddens and Amy Demore; and four great-grandchildren, Harry Giddens, Kate Giddens, Ella Demore and Asa Giddens.