Family, friends and a large, standing-room only group mourned the death and celebrated the life of Ellabell’s Hughlynn Page at the Flanders Morrison Funeral Home in Pembroke Saturday.
Ministers Rodney Body, Regina Santos and Reverend Stephen Webb spoke highly of Page during the ceremony.
"Hughlynn was a man of God who loved life, loved to laugh and loved to pull a good practical joke. He loved to farm and knew well how to sow seeds in fertile ground. And, though we gather to mourn the loss of a great man, we are also celebrating the wonderful life he lived," said Rev. Webb of First United Methodist Church in Bainbridge.
Page grew up in Bryan County, was educated in the county school system and served on the Bryan County Board of Education for 17 years, including 12 years as chairman in addition to being a full time farmer.
Page was considered the father of Bryan County Schools by many, including Superintendent of Schools Sallie Brewer, Board of Education member Frances Meeks, and former Superintendent of Bryan County Schools June Baylor.
"When I was a teacher, we used to take the children out to his farm to show them what one looked like, and how it operated" Meeks said.
Brewer said he was the most ethical man she had ever met, and though self employed full time as a farmer, he never hesitated to give all the time that he could to education.
According to Dwight Newman of the Bryan County Farm Bureau, Page was a man who would do anything for anyone at any hour.
"He was the best man I’ve ever known and a truly awesome man. He would givve anyone the shirt off his back if they needed it," Newman said.
In addition to serving as chairman on the Board of Education, Page served on the Bryan County Welfare Board, ASCS/Farm Service Agency 43 years, AgSouth Farm Credit Board of Directors 32 years, and had been serving as president of the Bryan County Farm Bureau for 39 years, up to the time of his death. He was also a member of the Rusty Relics Antique Tractor Club.
Page was recognized by the Bryan county 4-H and Bryan County High School FFA for his contributions to the organizations, was selected in 1972 as the Georgia Farmer of the Year, and in 1988 and 1990 was awarded the Goodyear Conservation Award by the Coastal Soil and Water Conservation District.
Surviving family members include Marian Edwards Page, his wife of 54 years, daughter Patti Newman, son Daniel H. Page and fiancé Tania, grandson Shaun and wife Angela, brothers Truman Page and wife Vivanea, Leamon page and wife Valerie, Tim Page and wife Marilyn, Evan Page and wife Nancy, sister Brenda Whitehead and husband Robert, aunt Annie Lu Purvis and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.