Joe Lewis Worthington, 89, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 3 PM, Monday, November 3, 2025, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Henry Tyson officiating. The Honorable Robert W. “Bobby” Chasteen, Jr. will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Worthington was born April 4, 1936, in Columbus, Georgia, to the late Joseph & Pearl Bishop Worthington. He graduated from Irwin County High School and received his Bachelor Degree from the University of Georgia in 1960. He worked in public accounting for over 50 years, establishing Joe Worthington CPA in Fitzgerald in 1971. The firm added partners throughout the years and now operates as Worthington, Casper, Stone & Conger. He was an active member of civic life in Fitzgerald, serving as a member and past-president of the Rotary Club and the Fitzgerald Jaycees. He was an Elk as well. Mr. Worthington coached DLS baseball and football when his sons were younger and chaperoned youth trips when he was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church. He served as President of the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Chamber of Commerce and was awarded that organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. He was an avid golfer and member of the Fitzgerald Country Club. Mr. Worthington served his community as a County Commissioner for 12 years as well, serving a stint as Chairman. Perhaps no one was a more devoted fan of the Georgia Bulldogs or the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane. Mr. Worthington was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Barbara Langley Worthington; a son, Jay & Mike Worthington; a step-daughter, Natalie & Dr. Tom Mann; grandchildren: Allison Mann Pound & Taylor, Will Mann and Analee Mann; three great-grandchildren: Braxton Pound, Noah Pound and Thatcher Pound; a niece, Sheila Marie Goodman Carter; and a nephew, James Lamar Goodman and his wife Carlotta. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Toby Worthington and a beloved sister, Mary Jane Goodman.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.