Ardle Lightsey

Elder Ardle Lightsey, 81, of K-ville, died Monday afternoon, March 15, 2021, at the Appling Healthcare System in Baxley, following a long illness.

Born February 1, 1940 in K-ville, he was a son of the late Elder Leland Dorcey and Hester Boatright Lightsey. He had lived all of his life in Appling County and graduated from Surrency High School.  He was a retired farmer.

Ordained as an Elder in the Primitive Baptist Churches, he had served as pastor of New Prospect Primitive Baptist Church, Battle Creek Primitive Baptist Church, and Little Phebe Primitive Baptist Church and was a member and Assistant Pastor of Big Creek Primitive Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Cora Lee Johnson Lightsey; a grandson, Isaac Ardle Lightsey; 3 brothers and 2 sisters-in-law, John Henry Lightsey, Elder Earlish Lightsey (Barbara Jean), and Thomas Lightsey (Betty); 2 sisters, Pauline Ring and Eulene Lightsey; and a brother-in-law, Clarence Thornton.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene Crosby Lightsey of Baxley; son, Brian Lightsey (wife Ursula) of K-ville; 2 step-children, Regina Sutton (husband Michael) of Baxley and Troy Crosby (wife Stephanie) of Surrency; 7 grandchildren, Malachi Lightsey, Blakelee Lightsey, Kristen Drawdy (husband Hunter), Kandace Crosby (Chazz Todd), Matthew Sutton, Brandon Crosby (Sadie Smith), and Sarah Sutton; 2 brothers, Elder Jerry Lightsey (wife Debbie) and Willard Lightsey (wife Rita), both of Baxley; 2 sisters, Mildred Thornton of Garden City and Josey Buie (husband Thomas) of Rincon; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will take place Thursday (3/18/21) at 4 p.m. at Big Creek Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Shane O’Neal and Elder Aubrey Pierce officiating. Burial will follow in the Big Creek Cemetery with Elder Jason Deal officiating the committal service.

The family will receive friends on Thursday at the church one hour prior to the service.

Active Pallbearers will be his nephews, Travis Lightsey, Lambert Lightsey, Lonnie Lightsey, Chris Lightsey, Steven Earl Lightsey, John Wesley Lightsey, Lee Lightsey, Keith Buie, Andy Thornton, Jessie Ring, Jerry Ring, and Leland Ring.

Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Appling Nursing and Rehabilitation (The Pavilion) and Appling HealthCare System.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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