Taylor Funeral Home

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John Robert Boddie
Date of Death or Service Oct 21, 2022
John Robert Boddie
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 John Robert Boddie was born on July 4, 1936, to Roy and Dollie Boddie in Greenville, GA.  He was the fifth of their six children. His family moved to Columbus, GA in his early years and it was the place he called home for the majority of his life.

 John graduated from Spencer High School in Columbus, GA in 1956 and then joined the U.S. Air Force. In the Air Force, he had the opportunity to travel the world, and for a time was stationed in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1960. Soon after, he enrolled at Tennessee State University in Nashville where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling. He also became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

 John had an illustrious employment career which spanned over five decades. In Nashville, he worked at Ford Motor Company, General Mills and the Tennessee Valley Authority. His passion was the classroom. He was an instructor at Columbus Technical College and taught GED classes for inmates at the Muscogee County Prison. Additionally, he worked in Human Resources for Muscogee County. At the time of his retirement in 2004, he had served the Muscogee County Consolidated Government for 16 years. After he retired, John also worked as a counselor at Fort Benning.

 During his 86 years in this world, John touched the lives of everyone he encountered. John loved life! He also loved his family; his friends; his alma mater; his fraternity; and the Lord. Holsey Chapel CME was his church home, and he was a faithful member of the congregation since his childhood.

 If you knew John, then you know his personality was larger than life and so was his heart. His smile and laugh could light up any room. He never met a stranger. John was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone he met, give them some advice and often times a stern lecture, if he thought it was needed.  John would also tell stories in a way that only he could. In his spare time, John enjoyed serving on the Usher Board at Holsey Chapel, fishing, watching football and he made some of the best ribs you’ve ever tasted. John would say you may have had ribs, but you hadn’t eaten great ribs until you tried his.

 If you knew John, then you know he believed in the simpler things in life. He didn’t have a cellphone; his house phone did just fine. If he wasn’t at home when you called, you weren’t going to reach him. He didn’t have social media. If he wanted to see someone, he would just make a social call and go visit them. He didn’t take lavish vacations, because all the luxuries he needed were at his home in Columbus. For John, true wealth was measured by a person’s character, not their possessions.

 If you knew John, then you know he battled illness and held on as long as he could until he was called home on October 11, 2022. He lived an amazing life. John is survived by his three devoted and loving children Nicole J. Bond, Charles J. Boddie (Natalie), and Jonathan D. Boddie, all in Nashville, TN. A sister Mary Boddie Floyd (Willie) in Jacksonville, FL. He also leaves behind two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. John is survived by his dear friend and companion Dessie Mahone, in Columbus, GA, and her family who adored him. John’s memory will live on with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends who will miss his presence.

 A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 19, at 11:00 a.m., at Holsey Chapel CME Church located at 718 8th Street, Columbus, GA.

 The burial service will be held on Friday, October 21, at 1:00 p.m., at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery located at 7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville, TN. 

 In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) in John’s memory.

 

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