Mrs. Eleanor Curry Barksdale, age 88, of Sandersville peacefully passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2024, following an extended illness. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, August 31 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sandersville Methodist Church. Reverend Stan Littleton and Reverend Eddie Wiggins will officiate. The family will greet friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service in the Church Heritage Hall.
Mrs. Barksdale was born in Tennille and reared in Oconee, the daughter of the late Lloyd Curry and the late Nettie Hall Curry. She attended her early schooling in Oconee before graduating from the Tennille High School, where she excelled in playing basketball, before attending Georgia Southern College and Georgia College for Women. Eleanor held a lifetime love of playing the piano, beginning in her home church at the age of 9. Following marriage, Mrs. Barksdale joined the Barksdale General Merchandise family business as Co-Owner/Operator for over 65 years. She was a lifelong and faithful member of the Antioch Christian Church, also attending the Poplar Springs Christian Church. Eleanor was a member of the Tennille Fine Arts Club, member of the Tennille Woman’s Club, and Board Member of the Washington County and Rosa M. Tarbutton libraries. Mrs. Barksdale enjoyed entertaining family and friends at home as an active participant in her Friday Night Supper Club group, but also loved to travel for new experiences. Eleanor is preceded in death by her husband, Tuttle Wright Barksdale, Sr., and daughter, Kimberly B. Tyson.
Survivors include her children, Mary Kaye B. Veal and husband Sandy and Tuttle W. Barksdale, Jr. and wife Brownie all of Sandersville; son-in-law, Ken Tyson of Macon; grandchildren, Noel Veal and wife Kyrsti of McDonough, T. Wright Barksdale III and wife Katie of Gray, Samuel Veal of Brooklyn, New York, Mary Elizabeth B. Blenkinsop and husband Daniel of Saint Simons Island, Brittany T. Brewer and husband Sance of Macon, and Matthew Tyson and wife Alexandria of Chicago, Illinois; great-grandchildren, Claire Veal, Anna Veal, Tut Barksdale, Kate Barksdale, Griffin Barksdale, Elle Blenkinsop, Mary Louise Blenkinsop, and Noah Tyson; and sister, Elaine C. Wiggins and husband Edward of Oconee.
Donations may be made to the Antioch Christian Church at P.O. Box 40, Oconee, Georgia 31067 or to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital at stjude.org/donate.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.