Henry David Rhoney

Henry David Rhoney was born on September 25, 1941 in LaGrange, GA to Henry Baxter Rhoney and Addie Pearson Rhoney. The family moved to Metter in 1951 where his father established what would become Metter Lumber Company. He was a 1960 graduate of Metter High School and attended Southern Technical Institute in Chamblee, GA. He began working with his father at the lumber company at an early age. After the business closed in 1978, he worked at Georgia Pacific, Howard Lumber Company, and retired from International Paper Company in 2003. He joined the team at Ace Hardware and retired for a second time several years ago.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Metter for 70 years, where he served as a deacon, taught Sunday School, and served on the Building and Grounds Committee. He was the chief of the volunteer fire department for many years. The Lions Club, for whom he served a term as president, awarded him the Lion of the Year. He was also a scoutmaster and received the Order of the Golden Arrow from the Boy Scouts.

David loved his faith, his family and friends, serving others, building birdhouses, bookshelves, and other things in his beloved shop. He enjoyed reading, pondering life while in his swing outside, camping, and telling stories about his days working in sawmills, driving big trucks, and putting out fires.

He was predeceased by his parents, sister, Sarah Rhoney, son, John David Rhoney, and brother-in-law, Jerry Hagins.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Patricia Hall Rhoney, son Sidney (Renee) Rhoney, and daughters Christie (Jeff) Miller, and Melinda (Rob) Cannady. Grandchildren: Patricia (John) Gleissner, Michele (Logan) Roberts, John Rhoney, Jr. Sarah (Mykel) NeSmith, Charity Rhoney, Keith (Mary Beth) Miller, William Miller, Luke Miller, Lauren (Collin) Watson, Clark Hall, Chanlee Youmans, J.T. Cannady, and Abby Cannady, and 10 great-grandchildren; his sister, June (Berrien) Cobb; sister-in-law, Linda Hagins; and Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends also survive.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and grandsons-in-law: John Rhoney, Jr., Keith Miller, William Miller, Luke Miller, J.T. Cannady, Collin Watson, John Gleissner, Logan Roberts, and Mykel NeSmith. Honorary pallbearers will be members of his Sunday School class. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church, Metter.

Funeral arrangements: Visitation at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel in Metter on Monday, September 27 from 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be at First Baptist Church in Metter at 2 pm on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 with Rev. Floyd Harrison officiating.  Burial will follow at the Lake Cemetery.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter is in charge of the arrangements.