Reverend Robert L. Magness, age 67 of Alto, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 18, 2013, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Born in White County on August 6, 1945, he was the son of the late Fletcher and Dorothy Abernathy Magness. Rev. Magness was called into the ministry at the age of 16 and has pastored several churches including Toccoa Congregational Holiness Church and Braswell Congregational Holiness Church for two terms. In addition to being a pastor, he was also a youth and choir director and served in the mission field, where he and his wife assisted in building several churches in foreign countries. He was previously employed at Ethicon, Inc., as well as the Gainesville City and Stephens County School Systems.
In addition to his parents, Rev. Magness was also preceded in death by his brothers, Donald Magness, Carlous Magness, Jerry Magness, and Harold Magness; sisters, Martha M. Owens and Ruthlene M. Savage, and brother-in-law, Moses L. Armour.
Surviving are his loving wife of 46 years, Ann Armour Magness of Alto; daughters and sons-in-law, Robbie M. & Stanley Cook of Alto, Donna & Chris Mobley and Melanie & Shaun Miller all of Bogart; grandchildren, Zane Stewart, Alyson Stewart, Christopher Mobley, Clay Mobley, Sydney Dawson, Cooper Dawson, and Anna Brooke Miller; brothers, Ricky Magness of Cleveland, and Garvice Magness of Anderson, SC; sister, Josephine Sutton of Cleveland; sisters-in-law, Rachel Almond and Mary M. Oliver both of Lula; brothers-in-law, David Armour, Rev. Jacob Armour and Joseph Armour all of Alto, and Daniel Armour of Lula; numerous nieces and nephews and brothers and sisters in Christ also survive.
A Home-going Celebration will be held 3:00 pm Sunday, January 20, 2013, at Alto Congregational Holiness Church with Rev. Scott Ledbetter and Pastor Tim Beasley officiating. Interment will follow in Level Grove Cemetery with Rev. Cecil Thomas officiating.
The Magness family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2-4 and 6-9 pm Saturday.
All pastors and their spouses attending the service are asked to serve as honorary pallbearers and are requested to assemble at the church by 1:45 pm Sunday.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home (706-778-8668) of Cornelia is in charge of arrangements.
