James "Pete" Royal
January 26, 1953 — May 26, 2017
James “Pete” Franklin Royal
Stapleton, GA – James “Pete” Franklin Royal, 64, peacefully entered into his eternal rest Friday morning, May 26, 2017, at his residence. Funeral services will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 11:30 A.M. Monday morning, May 29, 2017 with Reverend Ed Chance officiating. Interment will follow in the Historic Magnolia Cemetery in Waynesboro.
The youngest of ten children born to the late Eloise Glisson Royal and the late Schwartz Royal, Pete was a native of Waynesboro where he was born and raised. He worked on a dairy farm until he moved to Stapleton 30 years ago to live with his sister. He could be found riding the city streets on his golf cart, sitting on the front porch, or watching TV. Pete loved classical country music—his favorite song was Merle Haggard’s Old Violin. Children gravitated to this quiet giant who exuded the genuine, pure love of a child: he was never happier than when there were children in his presence. A simple man, he lived an unencumbered life filled with the love of family. Never having been married or having any children, he loved his nieces and nephews as his own—his family was the main focus of his life.
Pete was also preceded in death by five siblings, Faye Pleasants, Ann Sanders, Glenda Hobbs, Gene Royal and Ludine Royal. Survivors include four siblings, Linda Cheeks, Virginia Wegmann, Earline Tucker, and Jimmy Royal (Mary Ellen); and a multitude of nieces and nephews. Serving as pallbearers will be C. C. Cheeks, Lenny Hobbs, Randall Hobbs, Trey Hobbs, Jeff Merritt and Joey Saxon.
The family will receive friends prior to the funeral services at James Funeral Home from 10:00 – 11:30 A.M. Monday morning, May 29, 2017.
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