George Cleveland Leverett III

George Cleveland Leverett, III -LINCOLNTON, GA - George Cleveland Leverett III, 58, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Farmers State Bank and a highly respected community leader died peacefully at his home with his family at his bedside on April 2, 2010 after a courageous two year battle with cancer. He was the son of Mrs. Geneva Morriss Leverett and the late George Cleveland Leverett, Jr. -A native of Lincolnton, he graduated from Lincoln County High School in 1970. He was selected as Mr. Lincoln County High School his senior year. Mr. Leverett received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Georgia. He was a graduate of the Georgia School of Banking and the Graduate School of Banking of the South, Louisiana State University. -Mr. Leverett had a very accomplished 36-year banking career. He began his career with Georgia Railroad Bank and Trust in Augusta, Georgia, before joining his father at Farmers State Bank in Lincolnton, Georgia, in 1977. Mr. Leverett served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Farmers State Bank from 1984 until 2010. Under his leadership, the bank experienced substantial sound growth and expanded operations into Washington, Georgia, in 1997. He was the President of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia in 1999. -A lifelong member of the Lincolnton United Methodist Church, Mr. Leverett served on many church committees through the years including Chairman of the Finance Committee, President of the Methodist Men's Club and Chairman of the Administrative Board. -Mr. Leverett was also very active in local and regional organizations. Deeply committed to his community, he served as Chairman of the Lincoln County Development Authority for the past 20 years. Additionally, he served in advisory roles with the Central Savannah River Area Business Lending Corporation, Lincoln County Recreational Authority, Governor's Regional Advisory Council, Clarke Hill Lake Partnership and is a previous board member of the Regional Development Center. -"Little George", as he was affectionately known, was an avid outdoorsman. A devoted student of nature and wildlife all of his life, he was an enthusiastic fisherman, hunter and golfer. He was named Fisherman of the Year six consecutive years by the Lincoln County Bass Club. Appreciating sports of all kinds, he was especially a fan of University of Georgia football and the Lincoln County Red Devils. Mr. Leverett also enjoyed cattle farming, an interest he learned from his father. -In addition to his beloved mother, Geneva M. Leverett, survivors include his wife, Wendy M. Leverett; a son, G. Cuylor Leverett and his fiancé, Brittany N. Burg, both of Lincolnton, Georgia; a daughter, Kathryn L. Towns and her husband, Kirby, of Augusta, Georgia; and a step-daughter, Callie M. Bibb. His three sisters include Marilyn L. Davis of Columbia, South Carolina; Susan L. Hawkins and her husband, William R. Hawkins, of Snellville, Georgia; Nancy L. Lovelady of Lincolnton, Georgia. Five devoted nieces and nephews survive him: Ronald G. Bailey, Jr., W. Russell Hawkins, Whitney L. Poucher, Elizabeth J. Hawkins and R. Clayton Lovelady, Jr. Other survivors include June and Hugh Moore, Jr. of Dublin, Georgia and Jefferson J. May, of Greenwood, South Carolina. -Funeral services will be held at Lincolnton United Methodist Church on Monday, April 5, 2010 at 4P.M. Interment will follow at Pine Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery. -Reverend David S. Hinson and Reverend John M. Rhodes will officiate. -The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 4, 2010, from 6-9 P.M. at the Leverett residence, 285 Humphrey Street, in Lincolnton. -Pallbearers include: Mr. Robert T. Burgess, Mr. Edwin S. Burgess, Mrs. Alana G. Burke, Mr. John H. Crain, Jr., Mr. Steven A. Dawkins, Mr. Ernest I. Guthrie, Mr. Toye S. Hill, Jr., Mr. Timothy A. Keadle and Mrs. Marcene P. Powell. -The Board of Directors of Farmers State Bank will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. They include: Mr. Wyatt B. Albea, Jr., Mrs. Alice Marie Kavouklis, Mrs. Trudelle P. Leopard, Mr. John W. Spratlin, III; Mr. Edward S. Turner, and Mr. J. Bruce Turner. -The family suggests that memorials may be made to Lincolnton United Methodist Church, 202 Peachtree Street, Lincolnton, Georgia, 30817 or the American Cancer Society specified for Lung Cancer Research, 2607 Commons Boulevard, Augusta, Georgia 30909. -Please sign the guestbook at www.beggsfuneralhome.net. -Beggs Funeral Home, 200 May Avenue, Lincolnton, Ga. 30817 (706) 359-4117