A. J. Jarvis

Audley James "AJ" Jarvis, was born in Nankin, Brooks County, Georgia, on January 11, 1935. He died July 4, 2023, prepared through faith to be with Jesus. He was an active member of Vienna United Methodist Church. He spent his young years helping out on his family’s farm. He would speak of his years there as involving intense labor. AJ was always an excellent student through grade school and high school. He spoke of his maternal grandmother, Ida Jones, a strong proponent of education, and others in his family being proud of his academic achievements. AJ also excelled in sports, playing basketball, football, and running track in high school. Combining his love of athletics and educational and career aspirations, he took the initiative to enroll himself in college and finance his education through various employment. He would readily acknowledge his main focus in the early years of college was basketball, but he also received a BA in business from Valdosta State College in 1957.  He worked a few jobs before landing a position with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). From there he accepted a position at Citizen’s Bank of Vienna in 1965 where he eventually became president before “retiring” there in 1977.  Later he returned for two more stints with the FDIC. He also built approximately 25 affordable-type homes which are scattered about the community for Vienna residents. Other civic contributions included serving in the Lions Club and being instrumental in forming the Vienna Industrial Park. While at Valdosta State College, he met his future bride, Rosella McCall, who he would say helped him study for exams (and even pass biology). They were married for 63 years. AJ was a dedicated father, and very proud of all five of his children. He passed his love of sports down to his children- playing various sports with them and the neighborhood children and attending countless sporting events. AJ also served in the Marines for a brief period and was patriotic throughout his life. He had a love for history, including genealogy. He remembered being ten years old when hearing that World War II had ended.  He also enjoyed being able to remember and recite lists of various items, such as states and capitals, and all the counties in Georgia. He was a skilled checkers player (a division champion in South Carolina), and an avid golfer (also winning many putt-putt trophies).

Survivors include:
Children: 
Jim Jarvis (Sherry)
Kenny Jarvis (Dianne)
David Jarvis (Dee)
Tom Jarvis
Mindy Blair (Nathan)

Brother:  Larry Jarvis

Sister:  Linda Jarvis Roberts

Grandchildren:  Ben, Alina, Alissa and Alec

Step Grandchildren:  Laura, Zachary and Madison

Several nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Audley Jarvis, Mary Ruth Jones Jarvis; his wife, Rosella McCall Jarvis; two brothers, Glenn Jarvis and Edward Jarvis, a sister, Ann Jarvis Holtzclaw. 

Graveside services will be held at 4 pm Thursday, July 6 in Vienna City Cemetery.

The family will greet friends 2:30 - 4 pm Thursday, July 6 at the funeral home.

Memorial gifts may be made to Vienna United Methodist Church, 205 North 6th Street, Vienna, Georgia 31092 or the Methodist Home for Children and Youth, PO Box 2525, Macon, Georgia 31203.

Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home of Vienna has charge of arrangements.

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