Dr. Roy T. Puckett, 99, of Fitzgerald, Georgia died, Wednesday, September 25, 2013, at Heritage Health Care at Osceola in Ocilla, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 3 PM, Sunday, September 29, 2013, at the First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald with the Rev. Dr. Michael Ruffin officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
Dr. Puckett was born April 11, 1914, in Montrose, Georgia to the late Dr. William Marcus & Sarah Hembree Puckett. He attended grammar school in Montrose and graduated in 1931 from the Robert E. Lee Institute in Thomaston. Dr. Puckett received his post-secondary degree from Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport, Iowa in 1942. He served his country honorably in the United States Navy during World War II. Dr. Puckett opened his chiropractic office in Fitzgerald in 1947 and practiced for 45 years, retiring in 1993 when his great-nephew, Dr. Tom Green, purchased the practice. He served as president of the District Chiropractic Society and as vice-president of the Georgia Chiropractic Association. Gov. Herman Talmadge appointed him to the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
His civic accomplishments included almost 40 years of membership in the Fitzgerald Lions Club where he served as district zone chairman and deputy district governor. He was a member of the American Legion, Mars McDonald Post 99. He was a longtime member of the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Chamber of Commerce and very involved in scouting as a scoutmaster, institutional representative, and vice-president of the district council. Fraternally, Dr Puckett was an Elk, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a 66-year member and Past Master of Pine Level Lodge #353 F.&A.M, Past High Priest of Chapter #32 R.A.M., Past Illustrious Master of Fitzgerald Council #59, Past Eminent Commander of Knights Templar #20, Past High Priest and dubbed a Knight of the York Cross of Honor in 1962. His was also a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was the oldest member and oldest living Past Potentate of Hasan Shrine in Albany. Dr. Puckett “GrandPappy” was a charter member of the Ben Hillbilly Clan #62 and had served as Raban. He was a past president of Cabiri #162 and the International Past Potentates Association. He was also a member and past director of Royal Order of Jesters, Albany Court #159. Dr. Puckett was a member of First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald where he served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and Sunday school superintendent. He was active in the former City Bible Council, which taught the Bible in school.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law: Pat & Jim Willcox of Crawford County; a daughter-in-law: Georgianna Puckett Seamore of Ozark, Alabama; granddaughters: Pam Puckett of Madison, Wisconsin, Cindy & Brad Stewart of Rockford, Illinois, and Becky & Jessie Morlan of Thomson; two grandsons: Trent Puckett and Travis Puckett, both of San Antonio, Texas; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews including: Sara Green of Montrose. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years: Rosamond Bryan Puckett; a son: Dr. Roy Terrell Puckett; one brother: William M. Puckett; and four sisters: Dr. Pauline P. Carswell, Donna Lee Wade, Vera Mae Williams, and Juanita Harden.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Shriners’ Hospitals for Children, c/o Hasan Shrine, 1822 Palmyra Road, Albany GA 31701 or to First Baptist Church, P O Box 367, Fitzgerald GA 31750.