Joel Wylie Seymour

Brigadier General (Retired, Georgia National Guard) Joel Wylie Seymour, age 85, of Elberton, GA passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Wellstar Medical College of Georgia Health in Augusta, GA.         

He was born in Bowman, GA on September 15, 1938, and was the son of the late Ozzie Jean Driver Seymour and Jessie Luther Seymour, Jr.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Doris Brown Seymour; and twin sons: Joel Scott Seymour and Joel Steven Seymour.

Joel was a graduate of the Elbert County High School Class of 1956 and the University of Georgia, where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1964 and Masters of Public Administration in 1972. He served 62 years as Assistant Administrator for the Southeastern Power Administration, United States Department of Energy in Elberton, GA. As a young adult, he joined the National Guard and attended Field Artillery School in Ft. Sill, OK and the Command and General Staff College in various army locations.

Joel served his community in many areas and was most proud of his 12 years as a member of the Elberton City Council. He also served as member and former Chair of the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce, The Rotary Club of Elberton, Samuel Elbert Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Elberton-Mure-cho Sister-City Committee. He was member of the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission for 40 years and served as President. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elberton and the Victory Sunday School Class.

Joel was honored to have served thirty-nine years in the Georgia National Guard. He was Commander of the 1-214^{t h} Field Artillery Battalion; Deputy Chief of Staff for Training, Army National Guard of Georgia; and Commander of the Georgia State Defense Force for 11 years. He was former President and Life Member of the National Guard Association of Georgia. He currently served as Northeast Georgia Area Chairman for the Employer Support of National Guard and Reserve. 

His numerous military honors include: Graduate of Artillery School, Army War College, Nuclear Weapon Employment School, Field Artillery Commander’s Course, Life Member of American Legion, Life Member of Elks Organization, and Legion de Lafayette for the National Guard of USA.

His military memberships included Chatham Artillery and the Old Guard Association of Atlanta. His military awards included: The Legion of Merit Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Achievement Medal from U.S. Army, and Oglethorpe Award from the State of Georgia.

He is survived by his wife of twenty-one years, Nancy Coggins Seymour; children: Susan Seymour Chamberlin of Watkinsville, GA, Scott Steven Seymour of Washington, D.C., Franklin Whitworth (Elizabeth) of Suwanee, GA, and Christopher Whitworth (Jamie) of Atlanta, GA; grandsons: Zachariah Joel Chamberlin, London Hunter Chamberlin, and Dayton Cole Chamberlin (Bianca); granddaughters: Victoria and Charlotte Whitworth; and great-granddaughter, Freya Chamberlin. Also surviving are siblings: Jimmy Seymour (Janice) of Gainesville, GA, Jerry Seymour of Gray, GA, and Debra Seymour of Elberton, GA.

He was known for his love of Georgia Football, NASCAR, and antique cars. He and Nancy enjoyed traveling and spending time at Clarks Hill Lake and Jekyll Island with their family and friends.  

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Berry Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, December 11, 2023 at Forest Hills Memorial Park at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Gary Purvis will be officiating and military honors will be rendered. Pallbearers will include Zach Chamberlin, London Chamberlin, Dayton Chamberlin, Rick Chamberlin, Franklin Whitworth, Christopher Whitworth, and Wade Gaines.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Elbert Memorial Hospital Foundation c/o The Joel and Nancy Seymour Endowment, 4 Medical Drive, Elberton, Georgia 30635.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home and Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements.