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Funeral services for Bige Donald Veal, 81 of Cordele, were held at 4 p.m. Monday, July 22, 2019 in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Services. Rev. Jody McGinnis officated the service. The family entered the chapel as “Georgia On My Mind” was playing. Celia McGlamry and Chris Sercer sang “Daddy’s Hands” accompanied by Lee Howell, guitarist. Lee sang “Long Black Train” as the recessional. Pallbearers were Tim Veal, Minnon Veal, Bige Veal and Danny Sutton. Honorary pallbeares were former members of the Board of Education, Sandra Windham, Micky Rogers, Emmett Walker, Willie Patrick, Cleo Troup and Ben Morris. Others serving were Darton Moore, Ronald Spires, Austin Vinavong, James Sutton, Raymond Patterson, Marvin Nobles and Jeff Baker. The interment was in Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Wilcox County. “Dixie” was played at the graveside.

Don passed away peacefully at his home on Tremont Road on Saturday, July 20, 2019. He was the son of the late Bige and Neva McKinley Veal. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Louise Wardlow Veal, and their children, Pamela Veal Sutton (Danny) of Rochelle, Minnon Veal (Teresa) of Cordele, Tim Veal (Edna) of Cordele, and Tanya Veal (Stacey) of Cordele. He is also survived by his grandchildren Regan Veal of Valdosta, Bige Veal of Cordele, Cassie Sutton of Athens, and Olivia Veal of Cordele. He was preceded in death by his sister, Clarice Veal Smith, and niece, Katrina Smith-Beck.

Mr. Veal was a 1956 graduate of East Crisp High School and received a Bachelor of Science from The University of Georgia School of Forestry, where he was a member of the Xi Sigma Pi Forestry Honor Society. He was a lifelong Crisp County farmer and the owner and operator of Veal Farms. He was very active in his community as the president of the Tremont Community Club, a member of Penia Baptist Church, a previous director of the Crisp County Farm Bureau, and a member of both the Georgia Watermelon Association and Crisp County Young Farmers. He served as chairman of the Crisp County Board of Education and was also a member of the Georgia School Board Association. A Master Mason and a past Worshipful Master of the Arabi Masonic Lodge, he was a current member of the Sycamore Masonic Lodge #210 and a member of the Knights Temple. Throughout his life, he was an active member of the Crisp County Cougar Band Boosters, supporter of the Wilcox County Patriots, a contributing member of the NRA and an avid Georgia Bulldog fan. Above all, he loved his family and his four grandchildren, to whom he will forever be remembered as their “Daddy Don.”

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 East 2nd Street, Tifton, GA 31794 or the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231. Arrangements were by Rainey Family Funeral Services. An online guest register is available at www.raineyfuneral.com.