Jerry W. Loftin

Jerry Wayne Loftin of Woodbury, GA passed away on Tuesday, August 19, after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Jerry's passing leaves a huge hole in the lives of everyone who knew him, especially within his family and the Meriwether Co. community he loved.

He grew up in Manchester, graduated from Manchester High, and attended college at Auburn University and law school at the University of Georgia. After that, he came home to stay. He practiced law for years in Manchester before becoming chairman of the board of F&M Bank, where he continued the work his father had begun. While he worked in Manchester, he lived on "The Farm" in Woodbury, where he had plenty of room for his family, his dogs, and his collection of classic cars (but a distinct lack of farm animals or crops).

Jerry was always generous with his time and resources, especially when it came to making sure his family, friends, and beloved Manchester High football team had what they needed. He fought for the schools back in the 1980s. He sold foot-long hot dogs and organized the annual car show with the Rotary Club. He served on the Industrial Development Authority and was instrumental in restoring and reopening the classic President Theater in Manchester.

Jerry would tell you he loved three women in his life - Beth, Elaine, and Camille - and they each brought him more joy, adventure, and love than he ever could have asked for. He was tremendously proud to see his daughter, Lynley, and granddaughter Misty grow into amazing, successful women and to see their children grow up to be terrific teenagers. His only hope would be that they wouldn't follow too closely in his footsteps at that age, which is probably a good call.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; his parents, Elmer and Maude, his sister Janice and his brother, Jimmie. He is survived by his partner and caregiver Camille; daughter Lynley (Bennett) and their daughter, Eryn; granddaughter Misty and her son Gage; grandchildren Eryka Beams, Hayden Beams, and Kamaryn Rowe and their families; sister Jaynie Loftin Nesmith; nephews Allen Parham and Patrick Wasden; nieces Allison Wasden, Dede Loftin Wilson and Cindy Loftin Bailey; more relatives and friends that we can count; and his beloved armadillo-catching dogs, Stonewall and Tiger.

People have known Jerry Loftin as a lot of things throughout his life: a Blue Devil, a Mauler, an attorney, a banker, a race car driver (where they knew him as the "Porsche Killer" on the track). Whether you called him Jerry, JL, Loftin, Daddy, Uncle Jerry, or Poppy, nearly everybody he ever met was proud to call him friend, and a privileged few called him family. However you knew Jerry Loftin, you know there will never be another one like him. He was truly one of a kind, and we all miss him forever.

Jerry asked that we not have a funeral for him - he would rather have a party. The community is invited to a drop-in reception at F&M Bank in Manchester on Wednesday, August 27, from 2 to 4 pm. Please come by for some snacks and some stories.

Cox Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. Please sign the online registry and leave condolences for the family on the tribute wall page.