Rue Player

Vonna Rue Meeks, the second child born to Dessie Mae and Fulton Meeks on September 16, 1935, passed in the loving embraces of family on the morning of January 20, 2026, at the age of 90. Rue, as she was known, was the beloved wife of William Carlton Player, Sr. ("Bill") who went before her in death on April 12, 2017. Rue is survived by her oldest daughter Mary Elizabeth Player-DiCicco ("Beth") (son-in-law Bruce M. DiCicco, Esq.) of New York, New York, daughter Amy Lanell Player O'Neal (son-in-law Michael O'Neal) of Canton, Georgia and son William Carlton Player, Jr. ("Carl") of Buckhead, Georgia. Rue took joy in her three grandchildren, Jason Player O'Neal, Erin Lindsay O'Neal, and Ira Jordan Player as well a great-grandson Rhett Ira Player.

Rue grew up with her extended southeast Georgia family in Douglas, Georgia survived by her younger sister Linda Meeks Abbott (brother-in-law Harold Abbott), nieces April Abbott Roberts and Laura Abbott Cutts and great nieces Alana and Kylie and great nephew Drew. Rue was a graduate of South Georgia College where she received her Associates Degree in Education and then taught elementary school for several years prior to becoming a full-time mother. She loved flowers, was a member of the Boxwood Garden Club. She enjoyed her long time fellowship with the First United Methodist Church in Madison, Georgia. After raising her children, she started Busy Bee, sewing and selling handbags at craft shows. She enjoyed the making and selling of her crafts for over 30 years. In Bill & Rue's retirement years, they love to travel and enjoyed experiencing the beautiful world that was God's creation and the good people they met along the way.

Rue was a gracious unpretentious lady whose love was shown through the way she welcomed people and cared for them with thoughtfulness and honesty. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grand and great grandmother, loved her family and she brighten every place she went. Their home in Buckhead, Georgia on Lake Oconee was warm and welcoming -filled with love.

On Friday, January 23, 2026 at 1:00pm a Memorial Service was held at the Irwinton First United Methodist Church officiated by family member Rev. Jerry Peale. Interment followed at the Irwinton Masonic Cemetery, Irwinton, Georgia next to her beloved and dearly missed late husband Bill.