James Whitley “Whit” Royal, 67, of Fitzgerald, died Wednesday, October 31, 2007 in Yalobusha County, Mississippi.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, November 3, at Frank Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Ed McIntyre and Elder Paul Thomas officiating. Interment will follow in Whitley Cemetery, Irwin County. Visitation will be held 7-9 Friday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Royal was born August 19, 1940 in Irwin County to the late James Shinholster and Dorothy Josephine Harden Royal. He lived in the community most of his life and was a 1959 graduate of Irwin County High School. Mr. Royal was a farmer and an avid fox hunter. He was the director and past president of the Georgia State Fox Hunters Association, director of the National Fox Hunters Association and won the National Fox Hunt along with his dog, Royal’s Peanut in 1999. He was a member, Deacon and former song leader at Sturgeon Creek Primitive Baptist Church.
Mr. Royal is survived by his wife, Evelyn Roberts Royal of Fitzgerald; sons & daughters-in-law, Andy & Gina Royal and Victor Royal all of Fitzgerald, Melvin Cravey of Moultrie and Willie & Julie Cravey of Fitzgerald; 7 grandchildren; brothers & sisters-in-law, Seaborn & Patricia Royal of Irwin County and Joe & Teresa Royal of Irwin County; sisters & brothers-in-law, Mary Frances & Ronny Cantrell of Fitzgerald, Charlotte & Larry Herrington of Milledgeville, Betty Laura & Bobby Walker and Katie & James Arrington all of Tifton. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Royal, sister, Dorothy Grimsley and a daughter-in-law, Joan Cravey.