Mr. Arthur Allen Sapp, Jr., 81 of Blackshear, died Monday, September 21, 2020, at his home following a short illness, surrounded by his wife and their 6 children.
Allen was born in Brantley County, Georgia, to Arthur A. Sapp, Sr. and Azalee Shuman Sapp on August 3, 1939. Besides his parents, Allen was preceded in death by an infant sister, Clara Jo Sapp, 3 brothers, Robert Sapp of Blackshear, Earl Sapp of Valdosta and Carl Sapp of Jacksonville; sister and brothers-in-law, Irma and Rothell Groover, Eugene Crawford, John White, all of Blackshear, Thurmond Groover of Ellabell, Terry Best of Pooler and Burt Peacock of Mershon.
Allen graduated from Blackshear High School in 1959. He joined St. John’s Methodist Church in 1973 and worked faithfully for over 45 years serving as chairman of the Board and Trustees, treasurer, president of Men’s Group and taught Sunday school for over 40 years. He was chairman of the Building Committee in 1974 when the sanctuary was enlarged. He would be the first one at church, turning on heat and air and making coffee. He loved the Lord and God’s Word unquestionably.
After retiring, he went through the entire Bible using various translations and commentaries and hand-wrote his own notes, (they were typed by his wife), and he used these to teach Sunday school and Bible studies. The last book he was reading the last couple of months was “Revealing the Mysteries of Heaven.”
A hard-working man, Allen retired in 2001 with 41 years experience from CSX Railroad (previously Atlantic Coastline and Seaboard Coastline). He was a farmer and could grow the best garden, and he thoroughly enjoyed his woodwork hobby shop. A gentle giant, Allen was a quiet man, and dearly loved his family. He made bookcases and cabinets for several churches and lots of furniture for his children and grandchildren. He was a Mason, a member of Frank C. Folks #192 in Waycross.
Survivors are his wife of 59 years, Linda Howell Sapp of Blackshear; 3 daughters, Marie (Timmy) Smith of Bristol, Janet (Jimmy) Lynn and Diane (John) Griffis all of Blackshear; 3 sons, Arthur Allen (Jessi) Sapp, III, Michael (Dawn) Sapp, and Tony (Anita) Sapp all of Blackshear; 16 grandchildren, Bryan (Tatum) Gill, Zach Gill, Marah Cason, Jared (Kaitlyn) Lynn, Justus Lynn, Jay (Katie) Lynn, Shanna (Jerry) Murray all of Blackshear; Hank (CarolAnn) Griffis of Patterson; Caleb Griffis, Faith Griffis, Annie (Clinton) Banks, Nichole Sapp, Allen Sapp, IV, Maggie Sapp, John Michael Sapp, and Thomas Sapp all of Blackshear; 13 great grandchildren, Violet, Izzie, Hazel Mae, Chloe, Zoe, Jad, Kage, Adalynn, Caleigh, River, Grant, Hadley, and Harper.
Other survivors are 2 brothers, Eddie Sapp and Ray (Lorie) Sapp all of Blackshear; sisters and brothers-in-law, Eloise Sapp and Ruthie Sapp all of Blackshear; Carole Groover of Ellabell, Leola & Donald Crawford of Pooler, Margie & Wayne Hutchinson of Blackshear, Charlene Best of Pooler, Verdia White of Blackshear, Sandra Peacock of Mershon, Harvey (Dorothea) Howell of Warrensburg, MO, Danny (Judy) Howell, and Tommy Howell of Blackshear; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services for Allen will be held Thursday afternoon, September 24, 2020, at 3:00 o’clock from the St. John’s Methodist Church.
Officiating will be Rev. Randy Crosby, Rev. Joe Thigpen, and Rev. Matt Tuttle. Diane Griffis, daughter of Allen, will be giving a family memorial.
Visitation will be held at the church from 1:30 until 3 pm on Thursday.
Interment will be in the St. John’s Cemetery. Pallbearers will be all 10 of Allen’s grandsons, Bryan Gill, Zach Gill, Jay Lynn, Jared Lynn, Justus Lynn, Hank Griffis, Caleb Griffis, Allen Sapp, IV, John Michael Sapp, and Thomas Sapp.
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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