Eric Lowell Castleberry

“ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body, to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21 ESV)

Sunrise: February 11, 1971, 2:30 A.M.

Mr. Eric Lowell Castleberry, the only child of Cynthia Roberts Castleberry and Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilbur E. Castleberry, Jr., was born at the Naval Air Station Hospital in Albany, GA. Eric’s early years were spent growing up in Jacksonville, North Carolina and later Indianapolis, Indiana. After matriculating through the Valdosta City and Lowndes County School systems, he worked in various professions. While living in Detroit, MI, he realized his life-long dream of becoming a long distance truck driver. After returning to Valdosta, he continued driving trucks and in later years worked as an auto mechanic and assembly lineman. As a young child, Eric attended Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Hahira, GA, where he learned that if he heeded the Lord’s call and accepted Christ as his personal Savior, he would be saved, and his name would be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. While living in Adel, GA, Eric joined Covington Baptist Church and was baptized under the pastorate of Rev. C.W. Covington. In later years, he joined New Life Ministries under the leadership of Bishop Larry D. Manning, Sr. During the course of his illness, Eric rededicated his life to Christ, reaffirming heaven as his final destination. Eric was a warm and caring person who befriended everyone he met. As a young child, he would bring children home and introduce them as “My Friend.” He had a ready smile, loved his family, and enjoyed “fixing” things, especially cars.

Sunset: September 3, 2019, 4:45 P.M.

After a courageous battle with heart disease, Eric’s earthly journey concluded. Surrounded by his mother, daughter, and other family members, he transitioned peacefully at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur E. Castleberry, Jr.; grandmothers, Mrs. Gwendolyn Faulks Roberts and Mrs. Ella Robinson Castleberry; grandfathers, Mr. Artis Roberts and Mr. Wilbur E. Castleberry, Sr.; and aunts, Mrs. Betty J. James and Mrs. Beverly Burkes Martin.

Eric leaves to mourn his passing, his mother, Ms. Cynthia Roberts Castleberry; his daughter, Miss Hannah Vinson; three aunts, Mrs. Brenda Willis (Robert), Mrs. Wanda Richards (Jasper) and Minister Anna Bright (Herman); five uncles, Mr. Cedric Roberts (Linda), Mr. Laval Castleberry (Teresa), Mr. Michael Roberts (Bessie), Mr. Gartrell Castleberry (Geraldine) and Mr. Dennis Castleberry (Millie); one great aunt, Mrs. Mabel Hezekiah; Cousins (First Best Friends), Staci Marrero (Ashton), Purdie Burkes (Yvette), Michael Roberts (Rhonda), Terrance Roberts (Stephanie), Lindsay Willis, Cedric Roberts, Jr., Melissa Roberts White (Anthony), Malcolm Stokes, Joshua Willis, Gabriel Rawlings, Matthew Rawlings, Sharonda Hill (Jeorold), Lashonda Stokes, Sierra Richards, Dennis Castleberry, Jr., DeJaris Richard (James), LaVal Castleberry, Jr., Jeana Faye Stacks (Craig), Isaac Castleberry (Shantae), Tamika Castleberry Wynn (Gerald), Wilbur Castleberry, III, MaWanda Castleberry, Michelle Castleberry, Jason Castleberry (Kim) , Kamil Castleberry Graves, Thaddeus Castleberry(Asia), Mia Castleberry, and Jawanza Castleberry; Special cousins, Cathy “Pretty” Mohammed, De’Quawn and Te’Shawn Mohammed, Bertha Shannon (Aunt Bert), Veronica Faye Nelome, Louel Marshall, Victor Marshall, Steven Varnado, James Varnado, and Kelly Varnado; God-mother, Mrs. Rubye Sallet, Jacksonville, FL; God-brother, Minister Eric Tooley; God-sisters, Aryanna Burkes and Valerie Hart Green; his “Puddin,” Danielle Roberts; special family friend Evangelist Debra Rutland (69), and other sorrowing relatives and friends.

The Celebration of Life for the late Eric Lowell Castleberry will be Saturday, September 7, 2019, 3:00 p.m., New Life Ministries, Valdosta, GA.

Senior Pastor J. Bernard Braswell, II will officiate.

Public viewing, Friday, September 6, 2019, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Godfrey Funeral Home.

Interment, Mt. Vienna A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Valdosta.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.godfreyfuneralhome.net.

Personal and professional services provided by Godfrey Funeral Home, LLC.