Charles N. ‘Judy’ Poag

Charles N. ‘Judy’ Poag

Mr. Charles N. “Judy” Poag, 73, of Eton, passed away Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. at his residence.

He was born Feb. 20, 1932. He was a member of Eton Baptist church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Verdie (Hogan) Poag, a brother, Johnny Poag, and aunts, Ruby Kate Poag and Deecie Poag.

He attended every grammar school in Murray County, due to his family being sharecroppers. He graduated from Murray County High School in 1951. He was active in sports, but a stand-out baseball pitcher. His favorite thing was a Cleveland Indians baseball jacket he received while with the Cleveland farm club.

He attended Lincoln Memorial College with small financial assistance from a friend, and worked his way through college as a janitor in the girl’s dormitory.

He graduated in 1955 and returned to Murray County and began his teaching and coaching career at Murray County High School. He was the first coach to take the girls team to the state playoff. The team lost, but Murray County High School had finally fielded a team that won its way to a state championship playoff. His reward was to be fired as the girls coach.

His political career began in 1956 when he lost his first bid for sheriff by 32 votes. He was elected sheriff in 1960 and was the youngest sheriff ever elected as sheriff in Georgia. He went on to serve 16 years in office. He worked as a police officer for the Chatsworth Police Department for five years and as a state investigator for several years with the state of Georgia. His career also included serving 10 years as a state representative.

He spent his adult life helping others, especially the senior citizens of Murray County. As a legislator, his primary goals were to obtain funding for programs that would benefit the senior citizens and young people. He believed in the future, but felt the past should be preserved and each year he obtained funds for the Chief Vann House. He was the driving force that led to the building of the senior citizens center in Chatsworth. His effort was rewarded by having the center named the “Charles Judy Poag Senior Citizen Center.”

Judy dedicated his life to helping others and was always ready to help anyone in need.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine Morris Poag of Eton; daughters and son-in-law, Judy L. Poag of Dalton, Cynthia and Alan Hubbell of London, England; sister and brother-in-law, Polly and Tommy Montgomery of Tunnel Hill; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray and Ramona Poag of Dalton, Jackie and Linda Poag of Chatsworth; granddaughter, Kate Poag; an uncle, Jack Poag, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends .

Services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Smith officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home today and Monday from 6 to 9 p.m.

All law enforcement and government elected officials will be honorary pallbearers.

Peeples Funeral Home and Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the funeral arrangements.