Alta Myra (Dowling) Aldridge

Mrs. Alta Myra Dowling Aldridge, 88 of Blackshear, passed away Friday evening, September 11, 2020, at her residence.

Born in Blackshear, GA on September 23, 1931, she had lived in Pierce County most of her life.  Mrs. Aldridge had worked for the former Rose’s department store in Waycross at their lunch counter before going to work at JC Penney in their warehouse (which was located in downtown Waycross).  She would eventually go on to work at their retail store as a sales associate in their catalog department and would retire after several years of service.  Mrs. Aldridge was the proud mother of nine children.  Being an excellent cook – she made the best biscuits and fried chicken – was a necessity with such a large family.  She loved being a mom and her children will tell you just how blessed they were to have her as their mom.  Mrs. Aldridge had been a devoted member of Southgate Baptist Church for many years and had been very active in singing in the church choir as well as other capacities until her health began to fail.  She loved her church and church family and was proud to have three of her sons become pastors.  She dearly loved her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren but she loved her Lord and Savior most of all.    

She was a daughter of the late Joseph Lester & Hattie Mae (Dowling) Dowling.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Latchlon Gwinnette Aldridge, Sr.; and by all of her sisters and brothers:  Nolie Crews, Fronnie Moody, Azalea Roberts, Mattie Banks, Elbert Dowling, Lester Dowling, Lacy Dowling, and Ivey Dowling.

Survivors include her two daughters and sons-in-law, Myra & Rodell King and Sherry & Walter Watson all of Blackshear; seven sons and daughters-in-law, Rev. Latchlon Gwinnette “L.G.” & Janice Aldrige, Jr. of McRae, Joe & Diane Aldridge of Mershon, Lacy & Dianna Aldridge of Blackshear, Rev. Mike & Sheila Aldridge of Blackshear, Rev. Randall & Sherrilynn Aldridge of Ridgeway, VA, Victor & Mary Alice Aldridge of Waresboro, and Dennis & Carolyn Aldridge of Blackshear; 48 grandchildren, 66 great grandchildren, 11 great, great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services for Mrs. Aldridge will be held Monday morning, September 14, 2020, at 11:00 am at the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel.

The family will receive friends at the chapel one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Waters Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA  31501.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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