Jessie Nelson Ethridge, age 76, of Lavonia, died Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at St. Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital.
Born December 14, 1939, in Franklin County, he was the son of the late C. O. and Mary Louise (Isbell) Ethridge. He was instrumental in starting the CB Ambulance Service, which was the first ambulance service in Lavonia. He formerly owned and operated Southern Comfort Coaches and Ethridge Equipment Sales. Mr. Ethridge was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
He is survived by his daughter: Tracy Ethridge; daughter and son-in-law: Melinda & Cary Bennett; son and daughter-in-law: Jeff & Lydia Ethridge; the mother of his children: Arthurlene C. Ethridge; beloved sisters: Mary Parnell, Susie Sanders, Brenda Whitworth, and Joyce Baskins; and his beloved four-legged granddaughter: Ella. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter: Mildred Louise Ethridge; sister: Patricia Louise Ethridge; and brothers: Charles Inman Ethridge and Harold Dewey Ethridge.
The funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 26, 2015 at the Lavonia Chapel of Strickland Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Smith, Rev. Gettis Allen, and Rev. Josh Harvill officiating. Burial will follow the service at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until the service. At other hours the family will be at their respective homes. Flowers are optional or donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).