George Weaver

George W. Weaver, age 82, of Jasper, Georgia, passed away, Thursday, June 27, 2024, at his home surrounded by loved ones.
George was born October 31, 1941, in Jasper, Georgia.
His mother, Ruby Blackwell Weaver, valued education and ensured all four children never missed a day of school. George graduated from Pickens County High School in 1959, having perfect attendance throughout all 12 years of school.
While in high school, he played football, basketball, baseball and ran track. During his high school years, he weighed 145 pounds. He often bragged that after "swinging a sledgehammer" at Georgia Marble he bulked up to 195 pounds.
He worked different jobs until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961.
While in the military, George completed Paratrooper training (1963), Counter Insurgency School (1963), and Special Forces Medical School (1964). He ultimately served in the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Green Beret in Vietnam. George was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on December 13, 1965.
George initially worked for the Atlanta Police Department beginning in September, 1967.
During 1969-1970, he held various occupations while he was a student at Shorter College including an Admissions Counselor at Shorter College; Floyd County Hospital Emergency Room attendant; City of Rome Police Department; and Floyd County Police Department. He graduated from Shorter College with Bachelor of Arts, History and Education degrees in 1970.
From 1971 to 1976, George again worked for the Atlanta Police Department, holding many positions, including Lottery Squad Detective and Training Division Detective and Sergeant. During his years working for the Atlanta Police Department, he completed several advance law enforcement training courses and served as an instructor for the Atlanta Police Academy for three years.
After leaving the Atlanta Police Department, he taught Social Studies at Pickens High School during the 1976-1978 school years. He was an assistant coach in football and tennis.
While working full-time, he attended law school at night. George graduated from Woodrow Wilson College of Law in 1979. He worked as an Investigator in the District Attorney's Office, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, and as an Assistant District Attorney, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, from 1979 until 1982.
George served as the first District Attorney of the newly created Appalachian Judicial Circuit from July 5, 1983, until December 31, 1984.
He served briefly as an Assistant District Attorney in the Floyd Judicial Circuit before returning to Jasper to go into private practice, first with his wife and later with his son.
He loved playing golf with his friends and with his son. His idea of relaxation was playing 54 to 72 holes of golf...a day. Certainly, no less than 36 holes.
He practiced law fulltime for over 40 years, until August, 2022, when he fell down a flight of stairs while attending a mediation in Atlanta, Georgia, severely injuring his back. The back injury required multiple surgeries resulting in major complications and extended hospital stays.
In August, 2023, George was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After the diagnosis, he was never physically able to return to the practice of law. However, true to his nature, he fought hard until the very end.
He loved the courtroom and trying jury trials. His passion for the law was legendary. He represented his clients to the best of his ability no matter the personal grief it might cause to himself. He believed that the Constitution must be always protected, and that every person was entitled to a fair trial without shortcuts. The late Judge Michael Roach once stated at a judges' conference "that if you entered your courtroom and looked out in the audience and saw George Weaver you knew it was not going to be a good day."
One of his last wishes was to return to the courtroom to try one more case.
He returned to the courtroom Friday, June 28, 2024, for the last time and was honored by his family, friends, attorneys and judges. He will be missed by those who knew him. He was simply "one of a kind, a lawyer's lawyer."
George was married to Brenda, and together they have five children and five grandchildren. For George, one of his greatest achievements was that all five of his children not only graduated from college, but also have post-graduate degrees. As George would say, he went "5 for 5."
George loved his God, his family, his country, the practice of law and golf!!!
George is survived by his wife, Brenda Weaver of Jasper; children, Lila and Brent Westmoreland of Gainesville, Lisa and Chuck Payne of Jasper, Misty and Zach Henderson of Jasper, Jenni Weaver of London, England, George Weaver Jr. of Jasper; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Larry Ellington of Cornelia; brother, Johnny Weaver of Jasper; grandchildren, Jordan Harste, Lee Harste, Julianna Payne, Conner Proffitt, and Ryan Caroline Henderson. Several nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.
George lied-in-state at the Pickens County Courthouse in Jasper, Georgia, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2024, to honor one of George's last wishes to be in the courtroom one last time. All were welcomed to attend to pay their respects to George and his family. George was then moved to Roper Funeral Home in Jasper, Georgia, and visitation and viewing was from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2024, and reconvened Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Jasper with the Reverend Preston Jones and Minister Butch Jones officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (online at lls.org or call 1-888-557-7177 or mail to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; PO Box 22324; New York, New York 10087) or to Georgia Mountains Hospice at 70 Caring Way, PO Box 580; Jasper, GA 30143 or to First Baptist Church of Jasper.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.