Obituary of J.O. Stonecipher

Life Legacy Joseph Oscar (Pat) Stonecipher, age 96, of Jackson, Georgia, joined the Heavenly choir on May 14, 2016. He was born on April 29, 1920, in Oakdale, TN to the late Joseph and Nora Wilson Stonecipher. A graduate of Georgia Tech University, he retired from Western Union after 28 years and Georgia Department of Transportation after 10 years. Pat was a POW veteran of World War II, a Grand Master Mason, Shriner, a long-time Ham operator, a pilot, golfer, gardener, and a wonderful storyteller who shared experiences from his military services in Europe and of growing-up years in the Tennessee hills. Pat’s greatest pleasure was music. A man of great faith, he was baptized in the Methodist Church of Oakdale and was a soloist and choir member in churches in Oakdale, Atlanta, Cumming and Dallas, TX. Pat spent his later years feeding the birds and small animals plus tending his flowers, singing as he went, a happy, positive man. HALLELUJAH! In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Frances Ann Stonecipher. Pat is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty Cook Stonecipher; daughters, Ann S. Holzinger of Jackson, and Patricia S. Mealor and husband George of Atlanta; grandchildren, Rachael M. Clayton and partner Summer, Paul Joseph Mealor, Alicia M. Case and husband Carey, Mary B. Mealor, and Ann Marie Holzinger Davis and husband Brian. Great-grandchildren are Seth and Rory Clayton, and Sawyer Case; sisters, Norma S. Blair of Sevierville, TN and Helen Clark Goodman of Knoxville, TN; many beloved nieces and nephews; wonderful caregivers at Open Arms; and his church family at Stark United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the Stark United Methodist Church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with the Memorial Service to follow with Reverend Stephen Soulen officiating. Interment will be in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. Memorial donations may be made to the Stark United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1097 Halls Bridge Road, Jackson, GA 30233. Sherrell-Westbury Funeral Home is serving the Stonecipher family.