Ocie Lee Cannon, Sr.

  Mr. Ocie Lee Cannon, Sr., of Cusseta, AL, passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, after battling health issues for several months. Mr. Cannon was born on September 15, 1928, in Randolph County, AL, to Nora Irene Pope Cannon and Albert Brewer Cannon.

     He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty Joyce Roughton Cannon of Cusseta, AL; daughter, Cheryl Cannon Blackwell (James F. Blackwell) of Albany, GA; son, Ocie Lee Cannon, Jr. of Cambridge, MN; grandchildren: James Madison Blackwell of Leesburg, GA; Brittany Nichole Cannon of Charlotte, NC; Jessica Blackwell Davenport (Zachary Davenport) of Albany, GA; Erin Kasey Cannon of Charlotte, NC, Leah Ashley Cannon of Kansas City, MO; Jacob Ryan Cannon of Charlotte, NC; his caregivers and “adopted” grandchildren, Stephanie Blackwell Pagan and Kylee Pagan; and his faithful furry companion, Tiger Cannon, who never left his side. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews as well as sisters-in law Judy Roughton, Verdell Roughton, Evelyn Roughton and a brother-in-law, Mike Roughton (Wati Roughton).

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Brewer Cannon, brothers Earl Cannon and Horace Cannon, and sisters Louis Cannon Butler and Barbara Cannon Dillard.

     Those who knew him describe Ocie as one of the most compassionate men they have ever known, one who had a great love for God, his country and his family. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather and spent his life making sure they were all taken care of. He just had the gift of compassion and that of being a giver, and this was evident to anyone who ever met him. He was happiest when he had the great pleasure of taking care of others.

     Ocie was a great patriot and was proud to have served during the Korean Conflict in the Army’s First Cavalry Division. He told countless stories with enthusiasm and pride of experiences he had while serving his country in this capacity.

     He retired from Ampex Corporation in 1993 as a machine mechanic. He was a loyal worker, never missing a day of work, always sure to support his family’s financial wellbeing.

     Ocie loved God. He lived his life in quiet servitude. He was a long-time member of Grace Baptist Church of Valley, AL, and served as a deacon in the 1960’s, and as a choir member for many years.

     He will be missed by so many, but we have faith we will see him again one day as we join him for eternity. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

     Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20th, 2020 at 1:00 PM (EDT) at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley. Interment will follow in Shawmut Cemetery. The Reverend B. Steven Williams and the Reverend David Toxey will officiate. The family will receive friends Saturday from 12:00 noon (EDT) until the service hour at the funeral home.  Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate , in his memory.

     Please visit his Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind word for his family, to share a memory of Ocie, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.

     Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.

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