Ricky Joe 'R.J.' Welvorn

Ricky Joe "R.J." Welborn, age 58, of Baldwin, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2013, at his residence following an extended illness.

Mr. Welborn was born on November 6, 1954, in Kokomo, Indiana; son of the late Joseph L. and Pernell Taylor Welborn. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Donnie Joe Welborn and Stanley Welborn. Mr. Welborn was a Veteran of the United States Army and the Florida National Guard. Before becoming disabled he was the former police chief for the City of Baldwin. Mr. Welborn was a member of Clarkesville Church of God.

Survivors include his wife, Teresa Welborn, Baldwin; daughters, Christy Welborn Rivard, Gainesville and Megan Nicole Welborn, Pennsylvania; son and daughter-in-law, James "Moose" and Jessica Thomason Welborn, Clarkesville; sisters, Susie Green, Ft. Myers, FL and Mary Williams, Alto; brothers, Dewayne Welborn, Toccoa and Randy Welborn, Lake Wales, FL; and grandchildren, Jordan Welborn, Jessica L. Welborn, Nicholas Welborn, Curtis Welborn, Joey Rivard, and R.J. Welborn.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 10, 2013, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia with Rev. Paul Bryson and Ellen Cook officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the Georgia National Guard, the Habersham County American Legion Post #84, the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720, and the Rabun County DAV Chapter #15.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour on Saturday.

The family will have an open house from 12-5 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2013, at the residence of R.J.'s son, James "Moose" Welborn, 1048 Echota Road, Clarkesville, Georgia 30523.

Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 1100 Shortwood Park Drive, Suite 120, Gainesville, Georgia 30501, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, 1405 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, or to Patriot Guard Riders of Georgia, Inc., 200 Orchard Way, Calhoun, Georgia 30701.

Those wishing to express online condolences to the Welborn family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia.