Jesse Edward Stallings

Mr. Jesse Edward Stallings, age 97, of Griffin, passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at his residence. Mr. Stallings was born in Griffin, Georgia on August 6, 1925. He was the son of the late Jesse Council Stallings and Cleo Rickenbaker Stallings. He was educated in the Griffin-Spalding County School and graduated from Spalding High School in 1942. He attended North Carolina State college and while there, he was called by Uncle Sam to serve in the U.S. Navy. He volunteered for Submarine duty and graduated from the U.S. Submarine Academy. He was proud to wear the Dolphin insignia. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned home and went to work with his dad who owned and operated the Stallings Concrete Products Company. While working there, he met a young lady named Avie Ellis who lived on the same street he did an about two blocks away. He fell in love with her and soon they were married. From this union were born three daughters and one son. He and his wife joined Second Baptist church and he soon was appointed department Director and ordained a Deacon of the church. He taught a Sunday School class and taught special course during the summer. He served as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, Chairman of the Finance Committee and Chairman of Deacons. He was elected as a member of the Griffin-Spalding County School Board which he served for six years. In 1951 he joined Warren Lodge N. 20, Independent Order of Odd Fellow and in 1962 was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Georgia. In the same year, he was elected Grand Representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge and President of the Southeastern Association. In 1972, he was elected Sovereign Grand Master of the Sovereign Grand Lodge which is international. His duties carried him to almost all of the United States, all of the Providences of Canada, some more that once, Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania. He served as Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Georgia for twenty consecutive years. When he retired, he then had the opportunity to do something he had always wanted to do and that was to write. He was the author of four books, A Boy Named Bubba, A book of short stories, The Adventures of a Teen age Hobo and My Dog Ruff. Mr. Stallings was preceded in death by his daughters, Peggy Miller and Denise Gray; grandsons, Shaun Keebler and Blake Stallings. Survivors include his wife of 75 years, Avie Ellis Stallings; children and their spouses, Connie and Tom Moat and Robin and Shelia Stallings; grandchildren and their spouses, Stephanie and Lance Dennis, Thomas Moat III and Gracie Moat, Taylor Moat, Leigh Stallings, Jesse and Casidy Stallings, and Jordon Stallings; 7 great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Barbara Stallings; nieces, nephews and other family also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Jesse Edward Stallings will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 2:00 PM from the chapel of Haisten McCullough Funeral Home. His nephew, Rev. Caleb Stallings will officiate. Entombment will follow in Oak Hill Mausoleum. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 1:00 Pm until the service hour at the funeral home. Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Road, Griffin, Ga. 30224 in in charge of arrangements.

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Jesse Edward Stallings

August 6, 1925 - June 25, 2023