Tammy Jo Minshew

Tammy Jo Minshew, age 55 was healed on August 16, 2025. She passed peacefully into her heavenly home at her residence surrounded by her sisters and family members who lovingly cared for her in her valiant four and one half year fight against cancer. She inspired those who knew her with her positive attitude during this battle. Tammy was born September 27, 1969 to Clayton and Florence Minshew, the youngest of five girls. She is predeceased by her parents, Florence and Clayton Minshew, a brother-in-law, Terry Hester and several Aunts and Uncles.
Tammy has enjoyed attending Arbor Baptist Church in recent years. After her health prevented her from attending in person, she continued to attend via live stream. Her parents instilled the importance of prayer and faith at an early age and Tammy came to know the Lord as a teenager at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. She said numerous times that God was the rock that got her through these years.
One of her favorite quotes is "Even the waves obey His voice". Tammy loved the beach, flamingos and sea turtles. While beautiful in appearance, flamingos show incredible strength that is required to be able to stand for hours on one leg. To honor Tammy and the strength she has shown, her sisters and family members will be wearing flamingo bracelets and earrings during her service.
Using recipes handed down from her mother, Tammy loved making dumplings and dressing for the family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was not unusual for one of her sisters to receive a text from Tammy showing a recipe she would like for them to cook. She loved life and traveling. She participated in marathons even while undergoing chemo. She loved to crochet and do crafts and was an avid reader. She certainly lived life her way and enjoyed every moment.
In May 6, 1991 Tammy started with Dorminy Bros. She later moved to Fitzgerald Ice Co/Southern Crown Partners as Comptroller. As of March 1, 2023 she became President of Dorminy Family companies. In 2023 Tammy was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Fitzgerald and Ben Hill Chamber of Commerce. She became a member of the Finance Committee in 2024 and was named Treasurer in 2025. Lasting friendships were formed from both of these associations.
Survivors include her sisters: Patricia (Virgil) McRae, Mount Vernon; Kathy Hester, Fitzgerald; Janice (Jerry) Lavender, Ashburn and Glenda (Ned) Wilson, Rebecca; her nephews, Derek (Kayla) Wilson, Zach (Angel) Wilson, Jason (Mandi) Hester, Jeffrey (Kristy) Hester, Jonathan (Erin) Hester, Jamie (Kay) Lavender, Joseph (Anna) Lavender, Mike (Kim) Griffin, and Matt (Joni) Griffin; one niece, Casey (Branden) Williams; great nieces and nephews: Jake and Rhett Wilson; Cullen and Briggs Wilson; Eli Hester; June Hester; Kelsey King, Cameron Pounds, Bryson Payne; Maverick and Sabin Lavender; Haven Lavender; Eric, Phoebe and Katie Hodges; Tabby (Chase) Hutchens; Ben Mercer; and Clay, Rowen and Sutton Williams. Also surviving: her aunts, Susie Barrett, Waycross; Annette Minshew, Rebecca; and Vera Grice, Douglas. Several cousins also survive.
Pallbearers are her nephews: Mike Griffin, Matt Griffin, Derek Wilson, Zach Wilson, Jeffrey Hester, and Jason Hester. Honorary pallbearers will be her associates and coworkers of Dorminy Family Companies and the Fitzgerald and Ben Hill Chamber of Commerce.
Funeral services will be held at The Paulk Funeral Chapel in Fitzgerald at 11 AM on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 with interment in Young Cemetery, Ben Hill County. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Tuesday, August 19, 2025 in the chapel of The Paulk Funeral Home in Fitzgerald.
Floral gifts will be appreciated but if you prefer, please feel free to make contributions to Hospice Care Options of Douglas, Ga who provided such excellent care. The kindness and attentiveness from each one who cared for Tammy was so greatly appreciated.