Henry Franklin Sauls, Sr., 79, of Tifton died Tuesday, October 11, 2005, at his residence following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2005, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton's First Baptist Church. Dr. W. Ches Smith III, Rev. Eddie Allen, Dr. Wayne Roe and Rev. Paul Thomas will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Charles Massey, Dr. Curtis Branch, Bill Causey, Guy Cox, Randy Sauls, David Sauls, Bill Towson and Alen Odom. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Hobbs, Billy Allen, Billy Wood, Steve Cooksey, Derrick Graves, Adell Kimbro, Dr. J. Curtis Branch Jr., current employees and retired postal workers of the Tifton Post Office, including Ben Tyson, Edd Paulk, Othal Evans, Billy Heath, Virgil Marchant and Jim Champion. The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 13, 2005, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Sauls was born on November 19, 1925 in Tift County and was the son of Charlie Henry Sauls and Mary Annie Willis Sauls, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by one brother and sister-in-law, Jack L. and Carolyn S. Sauls. He was a member of Tifton's First Baptist Church and was employed by the United States Postal Service for 43 years, serving as clerk for 36 of those years. He had resided in Tifton his entire life. He attended Tift County schools, where he was a local football hero. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served from 1944 to 1945. He received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the European Badge and a Good Conduct Medal for his service. In his younger days, he raised quail and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and uncle.
Mr. Sauls is survived by his wife, Lillie Mae Hobbs Sauls of Tifton; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Frank Jr. and Cynthia Sauls of Tifton, and Dr. Charles Ed Sauls of Lake Blackshear; one daughter and son-in-law, Terry and Clint Truman of Tifton; one sister, Mrs. Frances Cox of Tifton; three grandchildren, Jarred Sauls of Tifton, Jacob Sauls of Tifton and Kinsey Truman of Tifton; nieces and nephews, Randy and Denise Sauls of Valdosta, David and Beth Sauls of Pineville, North Carolina, Marsha and Bill Towson of Tifton, Mary Jacque and Alen Odom of Rebecca, Guy and Lisa Cox of Tifton and Gina Cox of Tifton; ten great nephews; and one great great nephew.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Tiftarea or Tifton's First Baptist Church.