Ms. Avie Viola Aldridge, 83, of the Billyville community of Woodbine passed away at her residence in the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 13, 2018.
Ms. Aldridge was born in Fort Mudge on June 10, 1935. She was the eldest child of Madison “Duck” Markson Martin and Ocie Melton Martin. She was married to Owen James Aldridge and they shared the trials and rewards of life together for almost 59 years. Ms. Aldridge retired from the Camden County school system, where she worked in the Woodbine Elementary lunchroom for 34 years.
She was the oldest child of 12 and considered the matriarch of the family. She was a rock to many, who loved without exception and cared for others without expectation. To know her was to love her. She was a master in the kitchen and loved cooking for her family and church meetings. Mrs. Aldridge loved the Lord and loved hearing the word whether at Ben James Primitive Baptist Church in Pierce County or at local churches, whether it be Church of God or Baptist. One of her favorite sayings was “God doesn’t make mistakes” and Psalm 23 was one of her favorite verses in the Bible. Her passing will be felt deeply by her family and friends.
Ms. Aldridge is survived by her children, Francis Jeanette Harrison, James Edward (Vicki) Aldridge, and Richard Aldridge, all of Woodbine; her sisters, Vielee (Jimmy) Hester, of Blackshear and Helen Logan of Waycross; her brothers, Wayne (Sherrie) Martin, Jerry (Erica) Martin and Ray Martin, all of Blackshear; her grandchildren, Dorothy Ponsell, Stacy (Jamie) Howell, DJ (Ashley) Harrison, Shannon (Amy) Herrin, Heather (Doyle) Dixon, Ashley Aldridge and Troy (Kristen) Campbell; her great-grandchildren, Taylor (Kyle) Corwin, Travis Ponsell, Zeb Ponsell, Cody Herrin, Garrett Herrin, Dalton Dixon, Cale Webb, Jacob Dixon, Caroline Campbell, Tanner Campbell, Lily Campbell, Emma Corwin, Landen Howell and Jaden Harrison; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Ms. Aldridge joins her husband, Owen Aldridge, and her brothers, Marshall Martin, Dennis Martin, Melvie Martin, Marvin Martin, Davis Martin and Hilton Martin in Heaven.
The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at Coastal Camden Funeral Home in Kingsland. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. in the Woods-Wainwright Chapel of the funeral home with Pastors Bert Holden and Tommy Sikes presiding. Interment will follow at Colesburg Cemetery in Woodbine. Pallbears will be Clifton Roberson, Shannon Herrin, Cody Herrin, Burley Davis, DJ Harrison and Matt Carnes. Garrett Herrin will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
Coastal Camden Funeral Home in Kingsland is entrusted with Ms. Aldridge’s arrangements.