Ken Laurie Ryals

Ken Laurie Ryals, 68, of White Plains, GA died Sunday, January 19, 2003. Born January 19, 1935 in Dothan, AL, he was the son of the late Thomas Morgan Ryals and Modell Colene Chalker Ryals. He attended school in Columbus, GA and was a member of White Plains Baptist Church. He served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theatre during the Korean Conflict and from August 1954 through June 1958 he was aboard the USS Montrose. For over 20 years he was a vocational technical teacher of mens hair styling at Central State Hospital and Central Georgia Vocational School. He was a loving husband and a wonderful father to his children and step children. He was a friend to everyone he contacted, never met a stranger and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Lucille Wright Ryals; three daughters, Shalina Shavers and husband Richard of Smith Station, AL, Naomi Ryals of Smith Station, AL, Deedie Lowell and husband Bobby of Columbus, GA; one stepdaughter, Jeannie Price and husband David of White Plains, GA; a son, Kenneth Ryals and wife Pam of Smith Station, AL; a stepson, Steven Durden and wife Susan of Haddock, GA; ten grandchildren, Kywana Shavers, Elizabeth Ryals, Kendra Ryals, Whitney Ryals, Britney Ryals, Jeri Michelle Ryals, Joshua Jones, Tara Ryals, Christian Ryals Lowell, Brandy Lowell; four stepgrandchildren, Jennifer Marie Price, Holly Corene Price, Jessica Nicole Durden, John Steven Durden; two great grandchildren, Cheyene Rose Browning, Brianna Laurie Mae Richards; an aunt, Ellen C. Copeland of Columbus, GA; a cousin, Frances Lovier of San Jose, CA; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a half sister Sherry Ryals.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at White Plains Baptist Church with Rev. Bryant Miller and Dr. Norman Waldrip officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as active pallbearers are Ray Copelan, Bob Beeland, Harry Blanchard, Tommy Lewis, Ike Moore and Isaac Moore. Honorary pallbearers are Jeff Eley, Bob Blankenship, Tom Yearwood and Wilburn Stewart. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday night at the Funeral Home. The family requests that memorials be made to the Emory University, Cancer Research Center, Atlanta, GA. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements.

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