Joseph Earl Slappey

Joseph Earl Slappey Sr. (January 22, 1933 – October 10, 2022) of Marietta, Georgia passed away on Monday, October 10th surrounded by loving family. Known as “Buddy” by family and old friends, he was the youngest of 9 and was preceded in death by his parents, 8 siblings, and his son-in-law, Ray Worden. Buddy is survived by Marjorie Slappey, his wife of 64 years, along with their four children: Joey and his wife Susie, Scott and his wife Paige, his daughter Leigh Ann Worden, and Greg and his wife Angie. He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren Scott, Sam, Malone and her husband Clint Kuglar, Lauren, Joseph, Luke, Anna, Jack, Steven, Nate, Kate, Eli, and Lucy who all knew him as “Pops.” Buddy was a four-sport star at Americus High School and attended Georgia Military College prior to enlisting and serving 6 months of active duty in the United States Army at Fort Lee. At Georgia Military College, he played football and basketball and was voted “Best Athlete” his last year at the school. He subsequently served several years in the National Guard as a company commander, achieving the rank of captain. During these years, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Mercer University and a Bachelor of Science from Birmingham Southern College, where he met the love of his life, Marjorie, on a blind date. Born and raised in Andersonville, Buddy moved to Alpharetta, Georgia in 1992 to be closer to his children and first grandchild. Over the course of his life, he worked in many different fields, spending seasons of his life as a farmer, independent businessman, and an appraiser for the Georgia Department of Revenue from which he retired. He was proud to have worked his whole life as he continued to serve as a beloved member of the team at the Trophy Club in Alpharetta into his eighties. Buddy was an avid golfer and a passionate student of World War II but valued most the time he was able to spend with his children and grandchildren, especially when the family congregated at his childhood home in Andersonville. His loved ones will feel his absence keenly when they gather for future family events, but they will forever cherish memories of hunting, fishing, building fires, and shelling pecans with him. The family will hold visitation from 10:00 – 10:45 AM in the social hall at Americus First United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 22nd with funeral services starting at 11:00 AM at the church. Americus First United Methodist Church is located at 200 South Lee Street Americus, GA 31709. In lieu of flowers, the Slappey family would appreciate memorials to Tanner Hospice in Carrollton, GA or the Alzheimer’s Association (links and addresses below). Links to give in memory of Buddy: Alzheimer’s Association: P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090 https://www.alz.org/?form=alz_donate Tanner Hospice: P.O. Box 1136 Carrollton, GA 30112 https://www.tanner.org/tanner-foundation/opportunities-to-help/hospice-giving To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family, please visit www.aldridgefuneralservices.com Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Rees Park is in charge of these arrangements.

Joseph Earl Slappey

January 22, 1933 - October 10, 2022