George Edward Granade

George was born in Gordon, Georgia to Adam Ivey Granade and Alma Pearl Beck Granade on September 16, 1935. After the family moved to Macon, he attended Fort Hawkins School and then graduated from Lanier High School in 1953. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in English from Mercer University. He moved to Waycross to take a job with Retail Credit, and that’s where he met the love of his life, Ann Coleman. While in Waycross, they had two daughters, and then George moved the family to Savannah to take a job with State Farm. In Savannah, they had a third daughter. George continued his career with State Farm as superintendent of the Savannah claims office. He transferred to the Athens claims office in 1984. In 1986, after 24 years of marriage, his heart was broken when his beloved Ann lost her battle with cancer. God gave healing by bringing Carol into his life, and they were married the following year.

George continued his career with State Farm until retirement in 1998. In retirement, George stayed active with a number of interests including teaching defensive driving courses, volunteering with the Athens Welcome Center, membership at Chapelwood UMC, and encouraging everyone he met with notes and little bags of candy. His later years were spent caring for Carol until her death in 2021. He enjoyed two years of relatively good health, writing stories, sending notes of encouragement, and enjoying music and books.

The past two and a half years have been filled with health challenges. Despite questioning his purpose for remaining on earth, he continued to touch the lives of everyone with his kindness and jovial nature. He was admired by so many and will be missed greatly.

George is survived by his daughters: Mary Ann McTier (Alan) of Lawrenceville, Christie Copeland (Jeff) of Sharpsburg, and Nancy Arata (Antonio) of Savannah; grandchildren: Corey Ripley (Melissa), Chaz Ripley (Kelsey), Melody Thomason (Stewart), Sam Copeland, Jake Arata, Christopher Liu Copeland (Kristin), John Arata, Molly McTier, Annie Burton (Garrett), and Olivia Arata; great-grandchildren: Juliette Ripley, Walter Ripley, and Charlie Ripley. He is preceded in death by Ann Coleman Granade and Carol Whalen Granade.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Bernstein Funeral Home, 3195 Atlanta Hwy., Athens, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., preceded by a visitation with the family from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the charitable organization of your choice.

The family wishes to extend special gratitude to Bridgeway Hospice; his committed caregivers Latoria, Patty, and Natalie; faithful friends Dale and Steve who visited every week; so many other friends and family members who have visited and sent cards over the past two years.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.