Mr. Ralph Julian Vickery, 86, of Hartwell, went home to be with Jesus and his beloved wife surrounded by family on May 27, 2012 at his home.

Born March 19, 1926, he is the son of the late Ira C. Vickery and Lillie May Vickery.He served in the Navy on the USS Volans in WWII.He retired from American Laundry and Dry Cleaning in 1990 where he was a Superintendant.He was a member of Nancy Hart Masonic Lodge #690 and a member of Sardis Baptist Church where he was a member of the Clenard Dyar Sunday School Class, and a former Deacon.Ralph, who suffered a stroke in 1990, spend the last 21 ½ years at home with his wife who cared for him until she passed on September 16, 2011.He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who's smile would light up when his great grandchildren came to visit.He is a devout Christian and loved our Lord Jesus Christ.He was a true Southern Gentleman who never let you leave without extending his hand in gratitude to everyone who came to visit.He was a devoted Atlanta Braves fan who didn't miss a game in 20 years.

He is survived by his only son, Terrel L. Vickery and his wife, Donna C. Vickery; four grandchildren: Gina (Alan) Tolbert; Angie (Kevin) Rowland, Chris (Amber) Vickery, Leigh Ann Vickery; and six great grandchildren: Madeline Tolbert, Justin Rowland, Luke Rowland, Elijah Vickery, Jesse Adams, and Abel Pilgrim; sister-in-law, Virginia "Grandma" Majeski; sisters: Betty V. Crump, Inez V. Rice, Carol V. Moon, Amanda V. Cantrell, and Joyce V. Dickerson; brothers: Donald Vickery, Ronald Vickery; extended family: Doug and June Hilley, Wendall and Emily Brown, Sybil Hembree, J.D. and Helen Moon, and Rachel Pless.Mr. Vickery was preceded in death by his loving wife Daisy Brown Vickery; his parents; sisters, Louise V. Donaldson, Sarah V. Spears, Dot V. Smith, Eleanor V. Sanders; and brothers, Eugene Vickery and Jerry Vickery.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Rev. John Silver and Rev. Janice Loggins officiating.Burial will be in the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell where the family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening.The family is at the home.Donations in memory of Mr. Vickery may be made out to Sardis Baptist Church, 4359 Anderson Hwy, Hartwell, GA 30643, or to the Colbert Living Water Pentecostal Holiness Church, 215 South 5th Street, Colbert, GA 30628.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.