Floyd Cannon Jarrell Jr. M.D.

Floyd Cannon
Jarrell, Jr., M.D.
March 12, 1923 -
March 17, 2013
Columbus, Georgia- Floyd Cannon Jarrell, Jr., M.D., longtime physician of Columbus, passed away Sunday, March 17, at St. Francis Hospital after a short illness. Visitation will be at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary on Tuesday, March 19 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, officiated by Dr. Edwin Cooper and Dr. Shane Green. Interment will follow a graveside service at Union United Methodist Church historic cemetery in Taylor County, Georgia.
Dr. Jarrell was born the ninth of ten children to Mary McCants Jarrell and Floyd Cannon Jarrell, Sr. in northern Taylor County on March 12, 1923. His childhood years were spent playing and working on the large diversified family farm. He graduated from the University of Georgia and remained an avid Bulldog throughout his life. After graduating from the Medical College of Georgia in 1946, Dr. Jarrell served in the Army Medical Corps for the Army of the Occupation in Sendai, Japan. After his service, he completed his specialized training in Ophthalmology/Otolaryngology at Emory University and began his medical career in Columbus as the founding member of West Georgia Eye Care Center. Dr. Jarrell dedicated his life to the compassionate care of his patients.
Dr. Jarrell was a member of the Rotary Club of Columbus for fifty-two years. He served on the administrative board of St. Paul United Methodist Church, also for over fifty years, overseeing the move of the church from downtown to its present location on Wildwood Avenue in the 1950's. As past President of the Medical College of Georgia Alumni Association, Dr. Jarrell was most proud of his role in starting the Medical College of Georgia Foundation. In 2008, St. Francis Hospital honored Dr. Jarrell and his brother, Dr. Harold George Jarrell, Sr., as recipients of the Dr. Clarence C. Butler Service and Leadership Award. The Medical College of Georgia also honored Dr. Jarrell for his dedication and devotion to his medical school by naming the chair of Surgical Oncology in his honor.
A lover of nature, Dr. Jarrell was an ardent gardener who immersed himself in the cultivation of native flowers and fruits at his Columbus home and at his beloved farm in Talbot County. His bond with nature was an evident part of his character that spilled over into his loving association and relationship with his devoted family and his multitude of friends who were so dear to him. His gentle spirit, humility, selfless generosity, and devotion to the well-being of others characterized Dr. Jarrell's life.
His loving wife of fifty-nine years, Betty Jo "Jody" Driftmier Jarrell, predeceased him, as did his parents and his nine siblings, brothers Polk, Thelmon, Gorman, Fred, Arthur and Harold Jarrell and sisters Hazel Jarrell, Cathryn Jarrell Cheek and Marie Jarrell McGlaun. He is survived by his five children; Mark Jarrell and his wife Jane of Columbus, Scott Jarrell of Atlanta, Reed Jarrell and his wife Patricia of Fairfax, Virginia, Todd Jarrell and his wife Kris of Columbus, and Joanna Jarrell Queen and her husband Tom of Butler; grandchildren Elizabeth Jarrell and husband Michael Landry, Mary Jarrell, Mark Jarrell, Jr. and wife Alicia, Taylor Jarrell, Grant Jarrell, Caroline Jarrell, Sarah Jarrell, Christopher Queen and Helen Queen; beloved sisters-in-law Estelle Spinks Jarrell and Corinne Betts Jarrell and brothers-in-law R.H. Drfitmier and his wife Sue and Dequindre McGlaun , and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Honorary pall bearers are members of the Miller-Wilson Sunday school class and the Friday Friars.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2010 Wildwood Avenue, Columbus, GA 31906, to Union United Methodist Church, 376 Old Wire Road, Butler, Georgia, 31006 or to the charity of your choice