Roland Womack, 76, of Hilliard, FL, departed his earthly life Monday, March 20, 2023 to join his Savior in glory. He was surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Webster County, Mississippi to the late John and Viola Spruill Womack. The youngest of four children, he was a mischievous boy who loved playing outdoors and exploring God’s creation. The many stories he told of his childhood brought much laughter to his family through the years. During his youth, the family moved from Mississippi to West Palm Beach, FL. He spent many years living in West Palm Beach, FL where he attended high school and also met his one true love, Marie Wood. He graduated from West Palm Beach High School.
Upon finishing high school, he joined the United States Navy. He was a member of the Navy SeaBees. His unit was responsible for building roads, bridges and assisting in other projects. During his time in the Navy, he served one tour in Vietnam and two tours of Cuba. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Service Medal for his service.
A skilled tradesman, he worked for many years as a mechanic. He owned and operated Womack’s Service Station in Blackshear for many years. After closing his service station, he worked as a mechanic with Waters Ford in Blackshear as well as Crosby Pontiac in Waycross. While mechanic work was his source of income, he was also skilled in woodwork and welding. Together with his wife, he enjoyed spending his later years making beautiful wood furnishings for family and friends.
While he took pride in his skills as a tradesman, he knew where those skills came from. He was a dedicated servant to his Lord and Savior and would gladly let you know that any skills he had were a gift from God. He served the Lord as a member of First Baptist Church of Blackshear for many years, where he was ordained as a deacon in 1974. In addition to serving as a deacon, he also taught R.A.’s, worked with the men’s ministry and served on numerous committees. Following a transition back to Florida in 1995, he joined Buford Grove Baptist Church where he continued in God’s service. Here he served as Sunday School teacher and served many years as chairman of deacons. His love for God showed through in his everyday life and he was a shining Christian example for his family and friends.
Next to his love for his Savior, his greatest love was his family. He cherished the time that he was able to spend with them. His face would light up with a glow when his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren entered the room.He enjoyed taking trips with them and got much joy from teaching them many skills that will serve them well through their lives. His grandchildren will all cherish the memories of spending time riding the lawnmower with “grandaddy”.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, his brothers, John Earl Womack and Rex Womack and Rex’s wife Carolyn, as well as his mother and father-in-law Walter and Juell Wood.
Survivors include his loving and caring wife, Marie Wood Womack, Hilliard FL; two daughters, Vicki Beckham (husband Chad), Blackshear and Melissa Herrin (husband Levi), Waycross; six grandchildren, Katelyn Crews (husband Rodney), Kingsland, Todd Flannery, Yulee, FL, Graci Beckham, Blackshear, Christopher Moore, Goose Creek, SC and Rhett Herrin and Layton Herrin, both of Waycross; three great-grandchildren Jamie Crews and Hadley Crews, both of Kingsland and Waylen Flannery, Yulee, FL; one sister, Patricia May (husband David) of Mississippi; one sister-in-law, JoAnn Womack of Mississippi and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at the funeral home and from 10-11 a.m. Friday, March 24 at the Buford Grove Baptist Church in Hilliard, FL.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 24, from the sanctuary of Buford Grove Baptist Church in Hilliard, FL.
A private interment ceremony will be held at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, FL.
The deacons of Buford Grove are asked to serve as honorary pallbearers. They are asked to be at the church by 10:40 a.m. Friday.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home of Waycross is in charge of arrangements.
