Mr. Gerald Davis Dempsey, age 73, of Summerville, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2012 at his residence.

Mr. Dempsey was born in Trion, Georgia on December 18, 1938, son of the late G.D. “Datch” Dempsey and Annie Ruth Lawson Dempsey. He was a member of the Oakhill United Methodist Church in Lyerly, Georgia and prior to retirement, worked at Bigelow-Sanford Rug Mill, as a Deputy with the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, a truck driver, and heavy equipment contractor.

Mr. Dempsey is survived by his wife, JoAnn Parker Dempsey; daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and Gary Hardeman; sisters and brothers-in-law, Maxine and Lee Majors and O’Bera and Melvin Keen; grandchildren, Brooke and Chris Jarrett, Marc Hardeman; great grandson, Reed Jarrett; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Dempsey will be held Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. in the Chapel of the Mason Funeral Home with Rev. Jack Gillespie, Rev. Doyle Waters, Dr. Kenneth Summey and Rev. Bill Adams officiating. Interment will follow in the Green Hill Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Doug Moseley, Ronnie Winters, Winston Chadwick, Gary McConnell, Jon Payne, Jack Ledford, Jason Winters, Johnny Bass and Joe Reed. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jackson Powell, the Congregation of Oak Hill United Methodist Church, and all personal friends.

Mr. Dempsey will be in state at the Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 P.M.

Flowers will be accepted, however those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Oak Hill United Methodist Church.