Elgar Ray Lewallen

Mr. Elgar Ray
Lewallen, age 77, of East-
anollee, passed away
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025,
at his residence.
A son of the late John-
nie and Alice Newsome
Lewallen, he was born
Feb. 18, 1948, in Stephens
County, Georgia, where he
had lived his entire life.
He attended Stephens
County High School and
Truett-McConnell College
for a short time studying
to be a broadcaster. He
was drafted into the Army
in Oct. 1967, having served
in Vietnam from April
1968 until April 1969. He
was a PFC E-3, serving
with the 25th and 27th In-
fantry. He served in the
Army until Oct. 1969. Dur-
ing his time in Vietnam,
he was exposed to Agent
Orange. Elgar was award-
ed the Army Commenda-
tion Medal with V Device
for heroism in connection
with military operations
against a hostile force.
Private First-Class Elgar
Ray Lewallen distin-
guished himself by heroic
actions on June 23, 1968,
while serving with Compa-
ny D, 1st Battalion, 27th
Infantry in the Republic of
Vietnam, when his unit
came under intense enemy
fire. He immediately spot-
ted the source of fire and
covered the area with a
devastating amount of
fire, causing two enemy
soldiers to break and run.
With complete disregard
for his own safety, he pur-
sued them while calling
them to surrender. When
one of the insurgents
turned and fired, he was
forced to return the fire
and killed them both. His
valorous actions were re-
sponsible for capturing
two enemy weapons and
immeasurably to the de-
feat of the enemy. His per-
sonal bravery and devo-
tion to duty are in keeping
with the highest traditions
of the military service and
reflect great credit upon
himself, his unit, the 25th
Infantry Division and the
United States Army. He re-
ceived the Purple Heart
Medal after being hit with
shrapnel.
After the military, he
went to work at Wright's
Manufacturing for a short
time before becoming an
employee of the City of
Toccoa as a firefighter.
During his 44 years of ser-
vice with the fire depart-
ment, he was a firefighter,
captain, training officer,
assistant chief and fill-in
gire chief for 18 months.
He was offered that posi-
tion but refused it. During
the time he was acting
Fire Chief and training of-
ficer, all three at one time,
he made sure each posi-
tion was fulfilled to the
max.
He loved his family and
left us with so many mem-
ories of his funny sense of
humor. He enjoyed play-
ing games on his tablet,
enjoyed reading, especial-
ly science fiction and col-
lecting bookmarks. Geor-
gia Bulldogs played year-
round, almost daily If it
wasn't football season, he
was watching reruns. He
enjoyed Bill Anderson
family reunion country
gospel. He played softball
on the City of Toccoa team
many years ago. Most of
all, he enjoyed seeing his
children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren
playing and he enjoyed
spending time with them
and spoiling them.
Survivors include his
wife of the home, Edna
Taylor Lewallen; his chil-
dren; Christy Barrett, of
Eastanollee, Allen Barrett,
of Texas, David Lewallen
and wife Julie, of Athens,
Ga., and Jason Lewallen
and wife Stephanie, of Eas-
tanollee; grandchildren;
Chasidy Campbell
(Austin), Lansten Barrett,
Samantha Pless, Summer
Pless, Sabrina McCall
(Justin), Savanna Pless,
Braxton Lewallen, Landon
Lewallen, Jack Lewallen
and Wyatt Lewallen; great-
grandchildren; Ryleigh
Wright, Chaslyn Pless,
Kynzleigh Pless, Jarrod
Holton, Brantley Roach,
Maggie Tinsley, Carson
Fortson, Brilee Fortson,
Taylor Domen, Bentlee
Smith, Emersyn Pless,
Carter Gonalez, Mya
Campbell, Colton Camp-
bell and Kasey Campbell;
several nieces and
nephews.
He was the last surviv-
ing member of his family.
In addition to his parents,
he was preceded in death
by his siblings, ViElla
Cheek, Wilma Wilmot,
Ruth Waldon, Noah
Lewallen and Marvin
Lewallen.
He was the son-in-law of
the late Grady and Octavia
Taylor and was the great-
est papa to the late grand-
daughter little Cerra Jae-
don Lewallen who loved
her papa to rub her back
and cuddle. She was papa's
little CC.
Funeral services were
held Saturday, Nov. 15,
2025, at 2 p.m. in the Hill-
crest Chapel of the Acree-
Davis Funeral Home with
the Rev. Scott Slaton offici-
ating. Firefighters from
the City of Toccoa Fire De-
partment served as pall-
bearers. Honorary escort
was Robert "Jo Bear"
Maxwell and the retired
firefighters from Toccoa
Fire Department.
The family received
friends at the Acree-Davis
Funeral Home on Friday,
from 6-8 p.m. Online con-
dolences may be left for
the family at www.acree-
davisfh.com
Interment followed in
the Stephens Memorial
Gardens with military
honors by the United
States Army Honor Guard
and the Grant-Reeves Vet-
erans Honor Guard.
Acree-Davis Funeral
Home and Crematory is in
charge of the arrange-
ments for Mr. Elgar Ray
Lewallen.