Thomas County GaArchives Obituaries.....W. J. Franklin (Rev.) Plymel July 19 2003
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.org/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************


File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Sheila Martin SheilaM78@comcast.net July 25, 2003, 10:26 am

Thomasville Times Enterprise - July 22, 2003

Services for the Rev. W.J. Franklin Plymel are at 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, 
2003 at Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home. The Rev. Colbert Croft and the Rev. 
Morris Nichols will officiate and interment is in Salem Baptist Church 
Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Tim Plymel, Kenneth Plymel, David Plymel, 
Joey Myers, Chris Lewis, Felix Williams and Ron Woodworth. The Rev. Plymel 
passed from death into life at Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville on 
July 19. The Rev. Plymel was born in Thomas County on May 31, 1941, to the 
late Arthur Plymel and Clara Cannon Plymel. He had five sisters and four 
brothers. The family attended Kennedy Chapel Freewill Baptist Church where 
Arthur Plymel served as a deacon and where WJ's faith in God was planted. As a 
child, WJ met the love of his live, Dorothy Jean Vonier, at the church, and on 
Nov. 4, 1959, she became his bride. They moved to Bartow, Calif., where WJ 
served in the U.S. Army three years and after his service, they returned to 
Pavo. In early life, WJ loved fast cars, especially his '57 Chevrolet and 
spirited horses which he broke and trained. In 1963, a daughter, Melinda, 
became an addition to his large and loving family and in 1968 another 
daughter, Debbie, arrived in poor health. After many prayers and Debbie's 
restored health, WJ and Jean returned to the faith of their youth. WJ was 
always a hardworking family man but his dedication and love increased tenfold 
in 1970 when he heard the call into the ministry. He forsook all former 
pastimes to have more time to spread God's message of love, redemption and 
resurrection. WJ's ministry was not in word only but deed also. Countless 
times, he arose late in the night to visit the sick and to pray for the 
discouraged. If anyone had financial need, he would give his last dollar to 
see they had food on their table. Even with the loss of an arm as a young man, 
he was a master-of-all-trades, including mechanic, repairman, plumber and 
builder to many. Believing that all work was unto the Lord. WJ owned and 
operated a paint contracting company and took pride in completing fair and 
professional jobs. In this position, he made many friends, shared with fellow 
believers and spread the gospel. WJ loved every minute of his service to God 
and always gave Him credit for the man of strength that he was. In his 
lifetime, WJ was a pastor at three churches, first in Cairo, then in Lakeland, 
Fla. and finally, Forest Acres Full Gospel Church in Thomasville. His 
daughters gave him two grandchildren a piece who gave him much pleasure. WJ 
was expecting two great-granddaughters in September and will be watching for 
them still from heaven. His life was a testimony to many family, friends and 
church members alike. Although his passing is a great loss, his legacy will 
live on in the lives he touched. His last and greatest wish was that his loved 
ones would carry on God's message of hope. He has received his reward and is 
waiting for that day of glorious reunion when we will join him, so continue in 
faith. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Jean Plymel of Pavo; daughter, 
Melinda Folsom and husband, Mark of Moultrie; daughter, Debbie Lamb of Pavo; 
granddaughter, Gina (Sam) Clayton and husband, Jamie; grandson, Jake Jarvis 
and wife Jennifer, all of Moultrie; grandson, Isaac Lamb and granddaughter, 
Rachel Lamb of Pavo; great-grandchildren en vitro, Olivia Clayton and Enora 
Jarvis; sister, Dorothy Myers and husband, Lennon of Valdosta; sister, Phalere 
Cannon and husband, Fred of Port St. Joe, Fla.; brother, Lamar Plymel and wife 
Frances, of Sumnerville, S.C.; sister, Margie Castleberry and husband, Jack of 
Lakeland, Fla.; sister, Carolyn Lewis and husband Darrell of Tallahassee, 
Fla.; father and mother-in-law, Ernest and Margaret Vonier; and numerous loved 
and loving family and church members. Preceding him in death were his parents; 
brother, Lynwood Plymel; sister, Connie Gay and husband, Darrell; brother, Ray 
Plymel; infant brother, R.J. Plymel; and infant nephews, Frank Castleberry and 
Mark Plymel, who WJ will share in the joy of holding in his arms until their 
parents can join them. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. 
Tuesday at the funeral home. -- Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/

File size: 4.8 Kb