Mr. John L. Fuqua, age 84, of Jasper, Georgia passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, June 28, 2024. John was born on September 11, 1939 in Brewton, Alabama, son to the late Elie and Alice Haveard Fuqua.
John met the love of his life, Mary Gillis Rigsby, as a teenager, and they married soon after graduating from W.S. Neal High School in 1957. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Angela Christine (Vollenweider) and John Derek Fuqua. John and Mary loved each other dearly and enjoyed many adventures together over the span of their 66 year marriage, including trips all over the country, and numerous visits to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa for football games with the whole family. They shared a love for family, community, and faith; as well as a deep commitment to the beautiful life they built together.
A lifelong lover of nature, John could often be found in his garden or taking long walks. He would often stop along his route to identify local flora and fauna with his walking stick, and enjoyed educating others on everything from birdsong to berries. He also loved hunting and fishing.
In his early retirement, he ran a farm with cows, horses, and thousands of chickens. It was hard work, and he loved every minute of it. He picked flowers for Mary nearly every day, which he set on the windowsill amongst tomatoes, peppers, corn and more. John was generous with everything he grew, often gifting friends and neighbors with more produce than they knew what to do with.
Underneath a stubborn exterior, John had a mischievous sense of humor that matched his optimistic outlook on life. He often orchestrated good-natured pranks, particularly around Christmas, his favorite holiday. Christmas was a special time for John, when the entire family would gather and attend Christmas Eve services, then open gifts around a tree decorated with ornaments made by his children and grandchildren. A devout Christian, John attended church every Sunday he was able, and took pride in wearing his suit and styling his hair so he could keep up with his fashionable wife.
John loved to read. He read the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in the morning, and a book or magazine every night before bed. He was also a natural historian, and could tell you many family stories passed down over the years, recollecting every detail with sharpness and clarity. He was proud to serve our country in the United States Army.
Throughout his life, John’s contagious smile and unwavering loyalty won him many friends. He understood how to connect with people, often striking up a lively conversation with someone he’d just met. He was smart as a whip, quick on his feet, and by the end of any visit with him, everyone left a little bit wiser and a lot more lighthearted. He will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Along with his parents, John is preceded in death by seven of his siblings: Lois, Leroy, EJ, Dorothy, Houston, Faye, and Gary. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary, along with their two children: daughter, Angie (Andrew), of Waxhaw, North Carolina; son, Derek (Julie), of Jasper, Georgia; grandchildren, Danielle (Tony), Matthew, Dylan(Savannah), and Parker (Lauren); and great-grandchildren, Tillie and Henry. He is also survived by his sister, Christine, of Locust Fork, Alabama, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place from noon to 3pm on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jasper, Georgia and again on July 10th from 9am to 11am at Mt. Zion. The funeral service to honor John’s rich and wonderful life will be held at 11am on Wednesday, July 10th at Mt. Zion, and interment at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Georgia at 2pm the same day.