Paul Nessmith

Family-Placed Death Notice

NESSMITH, Paul Mr. Paul E. Nessmith, age 99, died Wednesday at his residence under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice. The Bulloch County native moved to Floyd County at the age of nine, residing in Caves Springs, GA. Following his graduation, he moved to Detroit, Michigan and lived there until 1935 at which time he returned to Bulloch County. In 1957 he was appointed by Georgia Governor, Marvin Griffin to serve on the newly created Agricultural Commodities Authority. In 1961 he and his wife Eloise were presented the Master Farm Family Award by The Progressive Farmer magazine. Mr. Nessmith became President of the Statesboro Federal Land Bank Association in 1962 and remained in that position for 17 years. In 1963 Mr. Nessmith began his service as representative for the 82nd district in the Georgia House of Representatives; he held that position until 1980. One of his greatest accomplishments in that period was the introduction of legislation to remove sales tax from farm machinery. He was a successful farmer and livestock producer. Mr. Nessmith was honored with the Georgia Farm Bureau's Outstanding Service Award in 1969, in which he was a member since its organization. He served as chairman of the Southeastern Peanut Advisory Committee, supervisor of the Ogeechee River Soil and Water Conservation District for over 21 years and member of the Georgia Surface Mine Land User Board and the State Advisory Committee for Vocational Agriculture. He played a key role in supporting Georgia Southern's mission of regional service and construction of the Continuing Education Building. Mr. Nessmith was awarded an Honorary Life Member of the Bulloch County Young Farmers and the naming of a portion of U.S. Hwy 25 as the Paul E. Nessmith Parkway. Mr. Nessmith was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church where he was a deacon and had served in many capacities. He had served as Chairman of the Brannen Family Cemetery since 1940. Mr. Nessmith was a member of the Portal Hunting Club. He was preceded in death by a son, Paul Nessmith, Jr. Surviving is his wife of 71 years, Eloise Smith Nessmith of Statesboro; a son and daughter in law, Dr. Billy and Carol Nessmith of Statesboro; Three grandchildren, Dr. Ben Nessmith and his wife Allyson of Statesboro, Dr. Matt Nessmith and his wife Jennifer of Savannah and a granddaughter, Susan Nessmith of Atlanta; four great grandchildren, Katherine, Abigail and Paul all of Statesboro and Charlotte of Savannah. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Friday at 11:00AM in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Brannen Family Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Bethel Baptist Church, 5820 Westside Road, Statesboro, Ga. 30458 or to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, Ga. 30459. Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com. Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.