Mr. Roy Lee Varner of Covington, GA died June 3, 2010 at his residence. He was born on March 16, 1924 in Carnesville, GA to the late James Edgar and Emma Bellamy Varner. Mr. Roy, as he is known in the community, was a farmer. He said, “I was born a farmer and will die a farmer.” He and Mr. Henry Anderson formed a partnership known as Anderson-Varner Farms. Mr. Varner considered his years of working with Mr. Anderson to be very fulfilling. In 1976 Mr. Varner was elected chairman of the Newton County Board of Commissioners and served for 4 terms beginning in 1977 and retiring in 1992; he considered himself a public servant and not a politician. He was a member of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church and attended Covington Christian Church. Mr. Varner served his country in the United States Army during World War II and was stationed in Germany. Mr. Varner is survived by his wife Mrs. Charlyne Varner of Covington; daughter Anita Varner of Savannah; son and daughter-in-law Aaron and Ann Varner of Covington; sister and brother-in-law Frances and Bruce Armstrong of Athens; grandchildren Ginger and John Johnson, and Tuesday and Todd Rawls all of Covington; great grandchildren Skye Johnson, Jonathan Johnson, Jet Rawls and Riley Rawls; other family and many friends. Funeral services for Mr. Varner will be held at 3:00PM on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at The Church at Covington with the Reverend Doctor Fred Hall and Reverend Tim Bolen officiating. Interment will be in New Covington Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday June 5, 2010 from 4:00 – 8:00PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Newton Medical Center Volunteer Services 5126 Hospital Dr., Covington, Ga. 30014.
Roy Varner
