Janet Reed McGill

December 7, 1930 – March 22, 2024

Janet McGill, 93, of Tifton, Georgia, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024. 

A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, March 30th, in the sanctuary of Tifton First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Chip Grantham officiating, followed by a graveside service immediately afterward at Oakridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, March 29th, 5 pm to 7 pm, at Albritton Funeral Directors, which is in charge of arrangements.  

The service will be live-streamed on YouTube at Tifton FUMC or at www.facebook.com/tiftonfumc. 

Mrs. McGill, a resident of Tifton for 70 years, is survived by her four children and their spouses:   Mark and Myra McGill of Tifton, Becky and Steve Barber of Marietta, Laurie and John Bolen of Tifton, and Kelly and Stanley Dean of Sandy Springs, as well as 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. But her family circle included so many more: nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, church members, club members, delivery and service folk, passersby.  She made everyone she met feel embraced, included and important. She was genuinely interested in those around her and never missed a chance to inquire about their lives, rejoicing in their triumphs and comforting them in tribulation.  In that way, she endeared herself to all.

Mrs. McGill was predeceased by her beloved husband of 67 years, J. Frank McGill, a Tifton native and long-time peanut specialist. Their marriage was one of joy, generosity and hard work. God was at its center, and their faith was the cornerstone of family life. She mourned his passing every single day.  Her siblings, Don Reed of Swepsonville, North Carolina, Bill Reed of Atlanta, Georgia, Teenie Cox of Orlando, Florida, and great-granddaughter Rachel McGill also predeceased her.

Mrs. McGill was born December 7, 1930, in Blakely, Georgia. She was the daughter of Edward T. and Addie Ruth (Everett) Reed. Voted “Friendliest” and “Most Likely to Succeed” by her high school class, she graduated from Blakely High School in 1947. Afterwards, she went to work in the local PMA (Production and Marketing Administration, now known as FSA) office to help support herself and her family.  It was in that office that she met her future husband. They were married May 17, 1953, and moved to Dawson for a short while before settling in Tifton.

Mrs. McGill soon joined First United Methodist and, along with her husband, was an active and faithful member of the church and its Beacon Sunday School class until her death. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, from its inception in 1975 until February 2024, delivering meals and overseeing routes for almost 50 years. She was a long-time member of Christian Women’s Club, United Methodist Women and Club 55, as well as an officer of the Camellia Garden Club. She could often be found working in her yard, preferring gardening to housework, although her rooms were as beautiful as her flower beds.

She traveled the world but was happiest at home. She had the intellect of a university graduate but was self-educated. She had manners and charm that belied her humble roots. She believed sandwiches were best eaten with potato chips, that Antiques Roadshow was the best television had to offer and that every son-in-law was her favorite. Her family holidays were legendary. She laughed easily, loved unconditionally, and her absence is a call to fill the void with kindness and grace. What a legacy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tifton Meals on Wheels, PO Box 2053, Tifton, GA 31793 or Guido Ministries, PO Box 508, Metter, GA 30439.