Rufus Earl Aldridge, 79, of Blackshear, died Saturday afternoon, December 30, 2023, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross, after a brief illness.
He was born in Anniston, Alabama to the late Claude A. Aldridge and Francis McDowell Aldridge. He worked for the Ware County Government in the transportation department as a diesel mechanic. He was a former member of Hebardville Baptist Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. More than anything, he loved his family and any moment he was able to spend with them.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by eight siblings, Wanda Aldridge, Donna Aldridge, Ronnie Aldridge, Tommy Aldridge, Darrell Aldridge, Danny Aldridge, Van Aldridge and Jerry Aldridge; grandparents, Berry and Mettie Chester Aldridge and Howard McDowell and Arbelle Slaughter Calvet and his step-mother, Molly Aldridge.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-one years, Carolyn Oglesby Aldridge, Blackshear; five children, Karen Cunningham and her husband Jamey, Bo Aldridge and his wife Kathy and Debra Gordon and her husband Bubba, all of Blackshear, Belinda Moore and her husband Matt, Waycross and Brad Aldridge and his wife Lynn, Blackshear; 15 grandchildren, Ricky Cunningham (Chelby), Cassy Cunningham, Kalen Barber (David), Katherine Dennison (Mark), Ginny Lairsey (Austin), Bradley Sirmons, Megan Sirmons, Madison Gordon, Lindsy Moore, Leve Moore, Caleb Altman, Sydney Quinn, Jordan Aldridge (Tara), Aiden Aldridge and Riley Aldridge (Rhiannon); several great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; siblings, Billy G. Bell, Eufaula, AL, Glenda Davis (Buddy), Waycross, Michael Griffin and Judy McDonald (Calvin), Nahunta; sister-in-law, Carolyn J. Aldridge; special cousins, Hank Aldridge and Donald Wilson and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2024.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, from the Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home of Waycross is in charge of arrangements.
