Mr. Wayne Varner

October 28, 1917 - April 27, 2016

Mr. Wayne Varner, age 98, of Royston, GA, passed away on Wednesday, April 27th, 2016 at Brown Health and Rehabilitation Center following complications of congestive heart failure. He was born October 28th, 1917 in Bold Spring, GA and was preceded in death by his parents, John F. and Flora Rice Varner, wife, Dorothy J. “Dot” Varner; brothers, Pierce, Dwight, John Frank, and Fred; a son-in-law, Richard Parks; one grandson, Will Johnson III; and brother-in-law, Guy Taylor. Mr. Varner was a 1935 graduate of Franklin County High School, and also graduated from Rabun Gap Nacoochee School with first-place honors in 1939. He and Dorothy Jordan were married on March 8th, 1941, a union that lasted 70 years until her death in 2011. They had two girls, Carolyn V. Parks and Constance V. Johnson. After a brief stint teaching junior high school, Mr. Varner worked from 1941-1947 in the Industrial Relations Department of the LeTourneau Company of Toccoa, GA, producing machinery and heavy equipment vital to the war effort in World War II. In 1948, he and his family moved to Royston, GA, where Mr. Varner was the owner of the Royston Builders Supply Company and Cabinet Shop. From 1951 until his retirement in 1986, he was the owner and operator of the Cotton States Insurance Company. He continued to work as an income tax preparer until 2004. Mr. Varner was a very active participant in his community and church. He was a member of the Royston First United Methodist Church for over 60 years, and during this time he served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, Sunday School superintendent, lay speaker for the Methodist Church, and Building Committee member. In the larger community, Mr. Varner was a member of the Royston Chamber of Commerce, where he served as president. He was also a member of the Royston City Council, Royston Housing Authority Board, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and the Eastern Star. He was actively involved in the local PTA as a member and president, and was a Boy Scout Troop leader for many years. Mr. Varner enjoyed many hobbies, including sailing, fishing, reading, and woodworking. His beautiful furniture can be found in the homes of his children and grandchildren as a lasting symbol of his love of family and working with his hands. Mr. Varner loved talking to people and telling stories, passing on both family history and tales of his own adventures. In his later life, he enjoyed composing poems reflecting on life, family, and friends. Mr. Varner will be remembered as a man of great faith and love for his family. Survivors include daughters, Carolyn Parks of Cartersville, GA and Connie (Johnny) Johnson of Chadborn, NC; grandchildren, Carla (Kenneth) Summey, Jennifer Johnson, Susan (Donald) Hudspeth, and Katherine Parks (Neil Mueller, Jr.); and ten great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Sybil Taylor of Bold Spring, GA, Edith Copeland of Cumming, GA, and sister-in-law Janet Varner of Commerce, GA, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their special thanks to Mr. Varner's caregivers of many years, Bobby Joe Allen and Reatha Mayfield. Funeral services for Mr. Varner will be at 4:00 PM Saturday, April 30th at the Royston First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Mac Enfinger, Rev. Jim Bocian and Rev. Gerald Varner officiating. Burial will follow at the Bold Spring UMC Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Pruitt Funeral Home from 7-9 PM Friday evening. The family is at the home. Flowers are optional; memorials may be made to the Royston First United Methodist Church or to Bold Spring United Methodist Church. Pruitt Funeral Home in Royston, GA is in charge of arrangements.