Detroit Amerson, Sr.

Detroit Amerson, Sr.

Stapleton, GA  –         After a ten-year long, hard-fought battle with early onset Alzheimer’s, Detroit Amerson Sr., 71, loving husband of 52 years to Gloria Dean Coxwell Amerson, entered into his eternal rest late Saturday night, December 12, 2020 at Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville. Graveside services with military honors to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday afternoon, December 17, 2020 at Wrens Memorial Gardens with Rev. Ronnie Shelton officiating.  The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday evening, December 16, 2020.

Because of the family’s concern for public health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests that social distancing and other safety precautions be followed.  The wearing of face masks is strongly encouraged.

Born to the late Annie “Ruth” Irby Amerson and the late John Amerson, Detroit grew up in the Matthews/Wrens area.  He quit school to go to work at Thermo King to help support his family. He met the love of his life in 1967, marrying her eight month later in April, 1968.  Being a patriot, he joined the Army, leaving his new bride later that month to go into basic training. During his time in the Army, he received his GED as well as earned a degree in electrical/instrumentation. Detroit served in Vietnam from August 7, 1969 through June 28, 1970, after which he was stationed at Fort Gordon to finish up his tour. As a reminder of his service and the love for his country, he always wore T-shirts with either the American Flag or the Eagle on it.  He then worked at Georgia Power before going to work at J.M. Huber, now Kamin Kaolin, where he retired as an electrician with over 38 years of service. Being a hard worker, Detroit was one to always be busy and hardly ever just sat doing nothing; so, after his retirement, he worked part-time at B&W Saw & Equipment helping to take inventory and organize parts/stock and later as a part-time delivery man for Lloyd’s Auto Parts. In his spare time, he loved to fish, ride his motorcycle, or go joy riding in his red Jeep.

Growing up, life was hard for Detroit but he found a home at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church where he accepted the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.  He later served his Lord at the Wrens Church of the Nazarene where he taught the teen class for many years. Because of his upbringing, he worked hard to support his family in every way, not just financially; however, Detroit was frugal and, by his example, taught his boys and grandchildren the value of hard work. He was described as being “stern, yet easy going and laid back”.   Because of the love of Jesus and his early childhood experiences, he was always helping others and looking for ways to make life better for his family.  Detroit was thankful for his family who brought him much joy and comfort; no one in the family questioned his love for them—they knew that his love for them was unconditional and absolute.  Having found God’s peace in the midst of life’s trials, Detroit faced life with the hope of eternity.  Now, with his full faculties, he is now in his eternal home, awaiting those he loves to join him when their perfect time to take Jesus’ hand comes. Until then, Detroit lives on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Detroit is also preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Amerson. Other survivors include his two sons, Detroit Amerson Jr. (Lana) and Jeffrey Amerson Sr. (Jessica); seven grandchildren, Peyton Amerson, Chanler Amerson, Presley Amerson, Jeffrey Amerson Jr., Shelton Amerson, Tori Wiggins and Michael Wiggins; sister, Alice Faye Luckey; other extended family and many friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Chanler Amerson, Jeffrey Amerson Jr., Peyton Amerson, Billy Coxwell, Roger Coxwell and Tracy Kitchens.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial gifts be made to the American Alzheimers Association online at https://act.alz.org/site/Donation.