Paul “Edwin” Booth

Paul “Edwin” Booth, age 77, of Baldwin, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, June 4, 2023, after battling cancer.

Born on May 10, 1946, in Cornelia, he was the son of the late Charles Edward Booth and Lillian Maxine Smith Booth. In 1967, after completing his Heating and Air Conditioning Technology degree from North Georgia Technical College, he worked at Piedmont University in Demorest. Later, he worked and retired from the Georgia Department of Corrections, having a career as a mechanical engineer at Lee Arrendale State Prison.

Mr. Booth’s relationship with Jesus Christ was the center of his life. His steadfast faith always guided his decisions and gave him a servant’s heart to lead and help others. He was honored to be a charter member of Hillside Baptist Church in Cornelia, Georgia, where he faithfully served as a deacon for more than 50 years. Over the years, his devotion to his church also extended to numerous other acts of love including driving the church bus to pick up neighborhood children, serving as a substitute Bible study teacher, visiting the sick and elderly, serving on the church’s financial committee, running the sound system for services, and using his many artistic and technical talents to help maintain the building and grounds of the church. His life served as a testimony of God’s goodness and love, and he created a Christian legacy that will last for generations to come.

As an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener, Mr. Booth enjoyed being outdoors in God’s great creation. His artistic talents led him to take on many projects including wood carving, restoring the family’s 1970 Plymouth Sports Satellite car, and building a swing set and playhouse for his grandchildren. After retiring, he also enjoyed camping and exploring Georgia’s State Parks with the love of his life, his wife. As high school sweethearts, their devotion and love to one another in sickness and in health throughout the years is a rare find. In addition to his relationship with his wife, one of his greatest joys was being a father to his daughter and a grandfather. Lovingly referred to as “Boppa,” by his two grandchildren, he always had the time and patience to teach them how to tie their shoelaces, ride a bike, or hit a baseball.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Leutrelle Dillashaw and Regina Merrifield; nephew, Kevin Booth; sister-in-law, Susie Booth; and his father and mother-in-law, J.D. and Cathryn Shockley.

Survivors include his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 56 years, Alawayne Shockley Booth of Baldwin; daughter and son-in-love, Saresa Booth Garrett (Ernie) of Cornelia; grandchildren, Madelyn Garrett and Hudson Garrett; brother, Mack Booth of Mt. Airy; sister-in-law Sandra Ward (Clifton); nieces Crystal Erwin and Heather Dillashaw; nephews, Doug Ward (Sherry), Chris Ward, and Marty Dillashaw.

His homecoming services are scheduled for 3:00 pm on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Hillside Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Ross and Rev. Larry Free officiating. Interment will follow at Yonah Memorial Gardens.

The family will be receiving friends from 1:00 pm until the service hour on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Hillside Baptist Church, 324 Level Grove Road, Cornelia, GA, 30531.

Flowers are accepted or contributions may be made to Hillside Baptist Church, P.O. Box 726, Cornelia, GA  30531.

Any floral deliveries after 10:00 am on Thursday should be delivered to Hillside Baptist Church in Cornelia.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.