March 16, 2020
The Rev. James D. Aycock, Jr., retired member of The South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church, passed away Friday, March 13, 2020, at The Medical Center, Navicent Health in Macon, GA.
James was born in Vidalia, GA, on October 15, 1951, the second of four children born into the home of The Rev. and Mrs. J. David (Polly) Aycock, Sr., and has lived in multiple communities across South Georgia as a member of a pastor’s family. His homes have included locations in Uvalda, Sardis, Hagan, Wadley, Colquitt, Valdosta, Funston, Cairo, Statesboro, Unadilla, Springfield, Ashburn, Lyons, Claxton, Eastman, Americus, and Charleston, SC. He graduated from high school at the old Wadley High School (Jefferson County), GA, in 1969. His college education included time at Asbury University (Wilmore, KY, Fall 1969 – Spring 1971) and Valdosta State University (Valdosta, GA) where he received his BA in Psychology. His graduate work was completed at Gammon Theological School (Atlanta, GA) and Candler School of Theology (Atlanta, GA) He was ordained a full elder of the South Georgia Conference in June 1991 and retired from full time service in June 2011.
James was married to Carolyn W. (Nell) Phillips Aycock (deceased, Colquitt, GA) for 30+ years (Feb. 1983 – Jan. 2014). Following her death in January 2014, he married the former Sheryl Bishop MacMillan (Charleston, SC).
James is survived by his wife, Sheryl B. Aycock of Americus, GA; one daughter, Mrs. Mary Leigh Aycock (Lee) Harper of Lilburn, GA; four grandchildren, Emma Harper, Ricky Harper, Rosemary Harper, and Timothy Harper all of Lilburn, GA; mother, Polly O. Aycock of Americus, GA; three step-children, George T. (Vicki) Bradford of Columbus, GA, Sharon B. (Brooks) Lower of Oviedo, FL, and David N. (Lisa) Bradford of Loxahatchee, FL. four step-grandchildren, Krista Bradford of Columbus, GA, Dalton T. Bradford, of Columbus, GA, Bradford L. Lowe, of Tampa, FL, and Rob L. Lowe of Oviedo, FL; one brother, Frank L. (Jill) Aycock of White Oak, FL, one sister, Martha (Bobby) Widner of Colquitt, GA; and multiple cousins and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. J. David Aycock, Sr. and his older sister, Joy A. Fouschi.
During an adult lifetime of ministry that covered 48+ years, Rev. Aycock has served as the resident pastor of the following churches and charges across South Georgia: Kelly United Methodist Church, Valdosta, GA; Funston United Methodist Church, Funston, GA; The Cairo Circuit, UM Church, Cairo, GA; The New Hosp-Oliver Charge, Statesboro, GA; The Unadilla-Pinehurst Charge, Dooly County, GA; Springfield United Methodist Church, Springfield, GA; Ashburn United Methodist Church, Ashburn, GA; Lyons First UM Church, Lyons, GA; Claxton First UM Church, Claxton, GA; The Eastman-Friendship Charge, Eastman, GA; New Home FW Baptist Church, Colquitt, GA; The Hopewell-Concord Charge, Ellaville, GA; The Unadilla-Pinehurst Charge, Dooly County, GA.
Services were held Monday, March 16, 2020, at The Unadilla United Methodist Church, Unadilla, GA, with the Rev. Ricky Varnell, The Rev. Wesley Kaylor and The Rev. Stephen Webb officiating. Burial is planned for the Colquitt City Cemetery, Colquitt, Ga.
It is requested that any memorials or donations be made to The Indian Springs Holiness Camp Ground, Flovilla, GA, or to The David Aycock Scholarship Fund at Asbury University.
