Reverend Solomon Graddick, Jr. Memorial

a celebration of life

NOVEMBER 22, 1952 - JANUARY 24, 2019

Thanks

for 40 plus years of memories: from the time when we were young and carefree and did crazy things like walking across the train tracks over the Ocmulgee River and having to run when we heard the train whistle blow; and filling the Toyota up and going to Jacksonville for the weekend with $200 and a cooler filled with cold cuts, bread, fruit, water and sodas.

Thanks for teaching our sons how to be men and showing our daughter what a real man looks and acts like. Thanks for also helping to shape the minds of all the children you've coached, mentored, and taught.

Thanks for being the best Paw Paw ever to Sydni, Skylynn and Deuce. Thanks for sharing the Word of God with everyone that would listen.

Most of all, thanks for being a man of integrity. Even when they snubbed you--and I was fighting mad--you stood tall and said, “I'm not pleased but it's okay. I still have to do God's will.”

You have set the bar so high that you are irreplaceable.

There will be some difficult times ahead--I know--but when it really gets tough I know I can just look up and ask, “Solomon, what would you do?”

Love you, Pat

Order of Service Saturday, February 2, 2019 | 11 O’Clock in the Morning St. Peters Baptist Church - 1361 Fort Hill Street - Macon, Georgia Pastor Willie L. Finney, Sr. - Host Pastor PROCESSIONAL OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE Reverend Leon Ward Pastor, New Birth Baptist Church - Macon, Georgia NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE Reverend Cleveland Jarrell Pastor, Howard Chapel Baptist Church - Macon, Georgia HYMN

New Home Baptist Church Deacon Board

PRAYER

Reverend David L. Stanley, Sr. Pastor, Union Baptist Church - Macon, Georgia

SELECTION

New Home Baptist Church Senior Choir

REFLECTIONS

Reverend Isom Evan, Sr. Pastor, Progressive Missionary Baptist Church - Macon, Georgia Dr. Thelma Dillard Representative, Bibb County Board of Education - District 2 Reverend William Jackson Retiree, Robins Air Force Base Fire Department SELECTION

New Home Baptist Church Young Adult Choir

SERMON EXCERPT REFLECTIONS

Deacon Calvin Gilbert New Home Baptist Church Deacon Tim Brown Greater New Bethel Baptist Church Reverend Carey Riggins, Jr. Beulahland Bible Church James Graddick, brother

SELECTION

New Home Baptist Church Male Choir

PRESENTATION

“It’s Your Time” - Luther Barnes

SILENT READING of the OBITUARY SELECTION

New Home Baptist Church Combined Choir

EULOGY Pastor Phillip Jones Pastor, New Home Baptist Church - Macon, Georgia ACKNOWLEDGMENTS LAST ALARM CEREMONY

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well with my soul. horatio g. spafford

Bentley and Sons

Robins Air Force Base Fire Department

RECESSIONAL INTERMENT Macon Memorial Park 3969 Mercer University Drive - Macon, Georgia 31204 REPAST New Home Baptist Church 170 Hudson Street - Macon, Georgia 31201

all is well

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

2 timothy 4:6-8

R

everend Solomon Graddick, Jr. was born November 22, 1952, in Roberta, Georgia to the parentage of Beulah Crafter-Graddick and Solomon Graddick, Sr. He was educated in the Crawford and Bibb County Public School Systems.

Upon his high school graduation, he enlisted into the United States Air Force where he was stationed in Illinois, South Carolina, and Texas. During his service, he did an international tour in Osan, North Korea.

Reverend Graddick was no stranger to hard work.

He worked his way from a grass cutter to Assistant Fire Chief of Training at Robins Air Force Base where he retired from 25 years of devoted service in 2002.

He gave his life to Christ at 14 years of age and was baptized at Green’s Tabernacle Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. He was ordained as a Deacon at New Home Baptist Church in 1991, and served as Chairman of the Deacon’s Board for 5 years. In 1999, he was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel at New Home Baptist Church under the late Reverend Kenneth Hollingshed. In the same year, he obtained a Masters in Theology with a concentration in Preaching from Emmanuel Bible College. He served as the President of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Macon and Vicinity until his transition.

Upon his retirement, Reverend Graddick served as a substitute teacher in the Bibb County School System for several years. He also served on the campaigns of School Board Representative, Dr. Thelma Dillard and others. He also coached baseball, softball, and basketball. He was presently serving as an advocate for the Judicial Citizen Review Panel.

Reverend Graddick would always say, “All is Well.” He was faithful and dedicated to serving the Lord and learning the Word of God. He was preceded in death by his mother, Beulah Crafter-Graddick; father, Solomon Graddick, Sr; and nephew, Nathan Graddick.

He leaves to cherish his memories: a beloved wife, Patricia C. Graddick; two sons, Solomon P. Graddick and Sebastian E. (Bryttani) Graddick; one daughter, Natasha G. Graddick; three grandchildren, Sydni, Skylynn, and Sebastian II “Deuce” Graddick; a godson, Nathaniel Banks; two brothers, James (Melinda) Graddick of Avon, Indiana and Marvin (Mary) Graddick of Macon, Georgia; one sister, Linda Graddick of Macon, Georgia; mother-in-law, Matilda C. Walker; three aunts, Claudette Crafter of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lillian Graddick of Thomaston, Georgia, and Missouri Graddick of Roberta, Georgia; a host of nieces and nephews including, James Presley, Teresa Goolsby, Jeremy Graddick, Chakareon Hampton, Chasheaka Hampton, Antonio Graddick, Sr., Antionette Harris, Christopher Graddick, and Danielle Chambliss; and a host of cousins and friends.

active pallbearers Eric Brown Joshua Brown Frederick Clark Reverend Isom Evans, Jr. Antonio Graddick, Sr. Dr. Keith Moffett

honorary pallbearers Nathaniel Banks Antonio Graddick, Jr. Christopher Graddick Jeremy Graddick Chakareon Hampton Bernard Waller

acknowledgments

The family of the late Reverend Solomon Graddick, Jr. would like to thank each of you for your expressions of love and support during our bereavement. May God’s richest blessings overwhelm you for the love you have freely shown us. We would like to extend a special thanks for their support: Reverend Isom Evans, Sr. and Family Deacon Tim Brown and Family Mr. Kelvin Crawford and Family Community Ambulance Coliseum Hospital and the Intensive Care Unit Staff

services entrusted to BENTLEY AND SONS FUNERAL HOME 2714 montpelier avenue | macon, georgia 31204 | 478-742-0952

marcs CHRISTOPHER

DESIGN