Fred Armistead
Fred Armistead, 80, died Tuesday, August 1, at his residence.
“Mr. Fred” was a native of Morgan County. His parents were the late Walter Benjamin Armistead and Ruby Wright Armistead. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, being given an honorable discharge on April 7, 1946.
He moved to Jasper County in 1960 and founded Fred’s Finer Foods in 1962. He was named Grocer of the Year in 1982. Mr. Armistead retired from the grocery business in 1988, allowing more time to spend with his family and his farm.
Mr. Armistead was raised a Methodist but was a member of the Monticello Baptist Church, where he belonged to the Adult V Sunday School Class. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Monticello Development Association, Monticello Jaycees, a charter member of the Hunter Pope Country Club, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and was recently honored as a 60-year member of the American Legion Post 110.
Mr. Armistead’s hobbies were the love of flying his own plane, golfing, fishing and cattle farming.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Betty Sidwell Armistead of Monticello; son, Ronnie Armistead of Monticello; daughters and sons-in-law, Martha and and Dave Artessa and Carol Ann and Terry McMichael of Monticello and Lynn and Barney Hester of Macon; grandchildren, Ben Armistead, Christy Roberts, Misty Smith, David Artessa, Thea Ellis, Brittany Hester, Cory McMichael, Andy McMichael and Haley McMichael; great-grandchildren, Katie Roberts, Maggie Roberts, Candler Smith, Ryleigh McMichael and Ragan McMichael; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Chester Addington of Westerville, Ohio; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Melva Armistead of Fairplay and Marvin and Gladys Armistead of Conyers; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday, August 3, at Monticello Baptist Church, with burial in West View Cemetery. Dr. Kerry Bunn, Joshua White and David Artessa officiated.
Pallbearers are Ben Armistead, David Artessa, Cory McMichael, Andy McMichael, Kenny Roberts and Scott Smith.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult V Sunday School Class, and the “golfing buddies,” Hugh Brock, Hugh Lewis, Billy Nalls, Weyman Mercer, Crawford Ezell, Bob Eaton, Billy Connelly, Jim Hennessy, Frank Pool, Herb Hickey, Dean Rabitsch, Gene Kelly, Dewey Rozar, Jerry Garden, Tom Boose, Bill Bender, Arden Davis, Dave Kingsley, Donald Leach, Brack Pound and Joe Artessa.
The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers to the Monticello Baptist Church, 334 W. Green Street, Monticello, Ga. 31064 or Abbey Hospice, 215 Azalea Ct., Social Circle, Ga. 30025.
Jordan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.