Mr. Jasper Paul Tuggle, age 76, of Blackshear, GA, passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, FL.

He was born December 29, 1940 in Macon, GA. His parents were Charlie Wesley and Mattie Black Tuggle. He was the youngest of four siblings.

He received his basic education from Bibb County Schools. After graduating from Ballard-Hudson High School, he enrolled in Fort Valley State College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology. He was drafted in the U.S. Army and left to fulfill his obligation one day after graduating from Fort Valley State College.

After serving in the Vietnam War, he returned to Macon where he worked with his father in the furniture repair and refinishing business. He later became owner and operator of Tuggle Furniture Shoppe. He not only took pride in his occupation, which he learned from his father, but he truly relished the friends he made through his business and community.

He met the love of his life and soulmate, Patricia Miller at Fort Valley State College. While circumstances initially kept them apart for many years, eventually all roads led back to Patricia Miller. They were united in Holy matrimony November 15, 1998 and shared an unwavering devotion to one another that was obvious to all.

In his early years, he joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Macon. After moving to Blackshear, he joined Greater St. James A.M.E. Church, where he served on the Trustee Board, Steward Board, Sons of Allen, and finance committee. He dedicated many hours to the maintenance of the church and the upkeep of the grounds.

He was a faithful member of the following organizations: Consolidated Men’s Club, Gardenia/Sunflower Club, NAACP, Blackshear Housing Authority Board of Commissioners (Chairman), American Legion and Pinochle Club of Waycross.

He had a passion for family, children, music and history. He was an avid reader, master gardener, and master chef. He devoted his life to serving God and others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Wesley and Mattie Black Tuggle and brothers, Herbert L. Tuggle and Charles M. Tuggle Sr.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his loving wife, Patricia Miller Tuggle, Blackshear; sons, Jasper Paul Tuggle Jr. and Lewis Lee (LaToya) Smith, Macon; sibling, Mildred Kitchens, Gray; eight grandchildren, Gabrielle, Jamil, Michael, Diamond, Lauryn, Logan, Janiah and Ja’Vonte; nieces and nephews, Tanya Tanksley, Janice Kitchens, Phyllis (Earl) Thurmond, and Charles Tuggle Jr.; his godchildren, other relatives and many devoted friends, including his childhood friend, Gordon (Josephine) Davis.

The family is receiving friends at the residence.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 19, at Greater St. James A.M.E. Church.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20 from the Greater St. James A.M.E. Church, 626 Cherry St., Blackshear. The Rev. Gerald Copeland, pastor, will deliver words of comfort.

Interment, with full military honors, will follow in Shiloh Cemetery, Moore St., Blackshear.

The cortege will assemble at 634 Cherry St. at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Monetary gifts may be donated in honor of J. Paul Tuggle may be made to the Greater St. James A.M.E. Church, 626 Cherry St., Blackshear, GA 31516.

Final and most sacred arrangements are entrusted to the care of Rainge Memorial Chapel, Inc.