Thurman Askew

Mr. James Thurman Askew, 95, of Nancy Hart Nursing Home, formerly of Ernest Brown Rd., Elberton husband of the late Thelma Patricia Hall Biggs Askew passed away Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Elbert Memorial Hospital. Mr. Askew was born March 10, 1920 in Alamo, GA to the late Wesley Clifton Askew and Minnie Lee Stinson Askew. He had a long career of employment as a salesman for Swift & Co. in South Georgia; a meat cutter and grocery store manager where he retired from Buehler Super Markets of the Atlanta area in 1985. After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Askew moved to Elberton to enjoy country life, gardening and fishing. In 1988 he joined Bethlehem United Methodist Church. Mr. Askew served tirelessly and with enthusiasm. He was Chairman of the Administrative Board for 10 years; along with other positions and involvement including: Board of Trustees; Finance Committee; Older Adult Ministry Coordinator and President/Member of the Men's Club. Among the things he was most proud of was being an instrumental part of the planning and building of the Church's Fellowship Hall which was constructed in 1991-1992 while he was Chairman of the Board and dedicated in 1993 being fully paid. Mr. Askew had significant pride and played a major role in special activities such as the Annual BBQ Diner and fundraiser for the church. His most rewarding years in life was those spent in Elberton and working in God's name. Left to cherish his memories are children Larry and Beverley Askew of Greensboro, GA; Kay and Don Kreft of Waleska, GA; Dick and Judy Biggs of Gainesville, GA; Carol Johnson of Douglasville, GA; Sharon and Jerry Kelly of Lula, GA; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by brother Carlos Wesley Askew and sisters Dolores Fabian, Dorothy Fogg and Margaret Bryan. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held 11AM, Thursday, October 29 in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home with Rev. Sharon Cooley and Rev. Chris Wagner officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park with Gary Williams, Rick Wansley, Marvin Dye, Eddie Christian, Johnny Lutz and Gerald Moon serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 10-11AM just prior to the service at Berry Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family has requested to make memorials in his honor to Bethlehem United Methodist Church Building Fund c/o George Lutz 526 Rhodes Dr. Elberton, GA 30635. Share your stories, photos or send a condolence to the family in Mr. Askew's Book of Memories online at www.berryfh.com. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory, Elberton is respectfully in charge of the funeral arrangements for Mr. James Thurman Askew.