HOBOKEN — Ellis David Altman of Hoboken passed away Saturday, September 10, 2022, following an illness. He was 94.
Altman was born December 11, 1927 to James Harvey Altman and Endeka Griffin Altman. The third child of seven, he was part of the third generation of Altmans to live on their farmlands south of Hoboken. He was the last of his siblings to pass away.
Altman served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. While stationed in Albuquerque, N.M., he met Virdie Goodin, who married him April 30, 1947, and moved with him back to Hoboken. They remained married until her death in 2012.
Apart from his time in the service, he lived all his life on the Altman lands. Altman was a life-long farmer and loved raising cattle. He always had dozens of them, even into his 80s. Altman also worked other jobs, including a long service with Comet Pest Control in Waycross.
He was for decades a Deacon at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Hoboken, the church in which he had grown up. He was dedicated to that church, and their love for him was evident.
Altman always was a lover of nature, with an eye for details that others missed. He could spot a hawk in a distant tree while driving down the road and carrying on a conversation. His favorite game to hunt was wild turkey. Altman delighted in watching their natural intelligence, and enjoyed the challenge of hunting them.
Those who knew him in his prime tell stories of his phenomenal strength — of his ability to lift a barrel of turpentine into a pickup truck unassisted, for example. But everyone who knew Altman at any stage of his life will tell you of his good humor, his gentleness, his humbleness and quiet joy.
He made a regular practice of driving around the old roads south of Hoboken, visiting friends and neighbors he had known all his life. If you were outside when he drove by, he was likely to stop and talk. If you were shelling peas or shucking corn, he was going to help you.
Altman loved playing with children, and he could easily slip into a childlike frame of mind himself, talking and laughing with them in a wide-eyed joy.
Even after the death of his wife, whom he called “the best woman I ever knew,” and the deaths of two children, Altman never became bitter. He would grieve, but he always spoke of life and the world as good gifts of God, whose purposes will be understood one day.
Altman kept that outlook through his last illness as well. He frequently said how grateful he was for the care of his son, Clinton, and daughter-in-law, Debi, and for each new day he was given. We will miss him for the way he so constantly lived out this hope and understanding in every circumstance, as well as for the innumerable other things he was and did.
Altman was preceded in death by his wife, Virdie Goodin Altman; his first child, Russell Ellis Altman; and his second child, Stephen Edward Altman (wife, Jenny Amanda Altman) of Hoboken. Also preceding him in death were his five brothers and only sister: J.H. Altman of Jacksonville, Fla., Aubrey Joseph Altman of McRae, Mary Louise Dowling of Hazelhurst, Kennon Lavaughn Altman (wife, Mary Kathern Dowling Altman) of Hoboken, James Carrol Altman (wife, Linda Tyre Altman) of Tifton, and Willie Lamar Altman (wife, Loretta Johns Altman Stone) of Loganville.
He is survived by his son, Clinton Andrew Altman (wife, Debi Lynn Petty Altman) of Hoboken; four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, Tracy Stephen Altman (wife, Jeannie Smith Altman) and children Stephen Daniel Altman, Sara Margaret Altman and Elizabeth Audrey Altman of Douglasville, Ga., Martin Ellis Altman (wife, Carolyn Stachura Altman) and children Elise Katherine Altman, Caleb Martin Altman and Jesse Michael Altman of Douglasville; Chase Altman (wife, Jackie Page Altman) and children Colton Ellis Altman and Hartley Emmie Altman of Baxley, and Britnee Altman Davis (husband, William Martin Davis) and children Brody Fisher Youmans, Sydnee Brooks Davis and Baylee Harper Davis of Hoboken. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Frye Funeral Home of Nahunta is serving the family. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Church Cemetery in Hoboken. Funeral arrangements may be seen, and on online registry for sympathies is available at fryefh.com.
