John Leonard Steed, Jr.

Grovetown, GA – Mr. John Leonard Steed, Jr., 80, entered into rest at his home on Saturday, December 26, 2009. Mr. Steed, beloved husband of 39 years to Phyllis Pearre Steed, operated Steed’s Dairy Farm in Grovetown, GA.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday December 29, 2009 at Abilene Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Harrell and Rev. Irvin Pearre officiating. Burial will follow at Bellevue Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Joey Burns, David Dozier, Russ Agner, Don Berry, Stanley Eason, and Rob Hefner. Honorary pallbearers will be Buddy Price and Tommy Frost.

After graduating from Evans High School in 1946 as salutatorian of his class, he started Steed’s Dairy with his father and expanded the operation in the 1950’s to also include a milk hauling business. He was awarded for ‘Distinguished Contributions to the Georgia Dairy Industry’ through the production of high quality milk from 1977-1993. Mr. Steed also received the ‘Georgia Distinguished Cooperator Award’ in 2001 in recognition of outstanding service to Georgia Cooperatives. He was repeatedly elected to the area’s Agricultural Soil and Conservation Service committee where he served until he resigned in 2008. After spending many years as the Youth and Music Director at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mr. Steed joined Abilene Baptist Church in 1979 where he remained a loyal member.

In addition to his wife Phyllis, he is survived by three sons; John Leonard Steed III, Pearre Morgan (Alana), and Jim Steed (Elaine) all of Grovetown, GA, four daughters; Diane Moore of Willacoochee, GA, Lynne Byrne (Bob) of Seminole, FL, Julie Thigpen (Gary) of Martinez, GA, and Libby Carswell (Joe) of Evans, GA, fourteen grandchildren; Salem Moore, Tyler Moore, Keli Moore, Haley Moore, Matt Carswell, Clay Carswell, Jenna White, Rachel Byrne, Lauren Thigpen, Benjamin Thigpen, Cole Steed, Casey Willis, Todd Greene, Katelyn Morgan, and three great grandchildren. Mr. Steed was preceded in death by one daughter; Donna Steed, his parents; JL Steed Sr. and Mae G. Steed, two sisters; Evelyn Fulcher and Louise Locket.

The family will receive friends on Monday, December 28, 2009 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

If so desired, memorials may be made to Abilene Baptist Church, 3917 Washington Rd., Martinez, GA 30907.