Warren Waldo Paulk, Jr., 85, of Ocilla, GA, passed away on August 6, 2025, at Tift Regional Medical Center, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Visitation will take place at Henderson Chapel Primitive Baptist Church at 3 PM on Sunday, August 10. The funeral service will be held at 4 PM, followed immediately by a graveside service at Henderson Chapel Cemetery.
Warren was born January 22, 1940, in Irwin County to Warren W. Paulk, Sr. and Cora Ruby Ross Paulk. He graduated from Irwin County High School in 1959 and married Sarah Ellen Johnson of Coffee County in 1962.
He farmed until his retirement in 1998. He bought and sold pecans for 42 years, beginning with Dill Pecan Co. in 1963, then partnering with Danny Paulk in 1988. In 2005, Paulk Pecan Co. became a cracking and shelling business only until they ceased operation in 2017.
Warren served the Ocilla community as a volunteer fireman and as a member of the Ocilla Jaycees. He served as President of the Jaycees and was instrumental in the purchase of their first facility, the Sunnydale Training Center, which opened in 1968.
Warren attended Henderson Chapel Primitive Baptist Church his entire life, and served as a Deacon since his ordination on December 2, 1973. He was very involved in all church activities, whether leading Sunday song service, acting as church Treasurer, organizing and leading the Men’s Prayer Breakfast, or mowing the lawn and maintaining the church grounds.
Warren arose each morning reading his Bible which was always on his chairside table. He cherished his daily quiet time and devotional with his beloved wife, Ellen. He was a man of deep faith who centered his life on serving Christ, and it was evident in everything he did. To quote the daughter of his former business partner and dear friend, “Mr. Warren never mistreated anyone in his entire life.”
He loved following Auburn football and basketball, and he loved the Atlanta Braves. He frequently called various family members to find out the channel and time where he could catch a game.
When Warren retired from farming in 1998, he became a “professional grandfather.” He enjoyed traveling over several states to support his 6 grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Dandy.” He was a regular spectator at countless swim meets, volleyball and soccer matches, cheerleading competitions, football, baseball, and basketball games, and dance recitals. He taught all six of them how to drive and how to change a flat tire. He made sure they all knew that when they encountered a tractor on the highway, it was God telling them to “slow down.”
Warren’s children and grandchildren loved his warm smile, hearty laugh, sweet kisses, bear hugs, back pats, and his never missing an opportunity to say “I love you.”
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Sarah Ellen Johnson Paulk, as well as his two daughters, Libba P. George (Richard J. George) of Auburn, AL, and Londa P. Alderink (Kevin D. Alderink) of Zeeland, MI. He is also survived by six grandchildren: William McKinney (Los Angeles, CA), Elizabeth Ellen McKinney (Auburn, AL), Adeline Alderink (Lansing, MI), Avery Alderink (Zeeland, MI), Merritt Alderink (Zeeland, MI), and Margaret Frances Alderink (Zeeland, MI). He is survived by several nieces and nephews: Herschel “Schel” Paulk (Guyton, GA), Gena P. Tyler (Hoschton, GA), Kim P. Healey (Beaufort, NC), Keith Ross (Brunswick, GA), and Danny Ross (Douglas, GA), as well as his brother-in-law Earl Courson (Adel, GA) and sister-in-law, Gail M. Paulk (Guyton, GA).
Warren was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling, Herschel L. Paulk.
Though Warren will be deeply missed, his spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Henderson Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, 120 Lakewood Drive, Ocilla, GA 31774, or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) at https://wwwnationalmssociety.org.