Emory Lane Giddens

Emory Lane Giddens
1950–2022

On September 16,1950, the small town of Valdosta, GA did not know what they were getting when Emory Lane Giddens was born to Alice Jo Lane Giddens of Statesboro, GA and James Wilson Giddens of Nashville, GA. Lane and his siblings, James Wilson Jr. (Jimmy), Martha Alice, and John Thomas had many fond memories of their childhood at home in Valdosta and on the Lane family farm in Statesboro, GA. They also shared the devastating loss of their beloved little brother, John, to leukemia when he was only 7 years old.

Lane was always quite the rascal, often getting into trouble for his antics. When his mother was out, he and his siblings would soap up the kitchen floor and “mop” it with their bare bottoms. Lane would do just about anything to get a laugh, but he had the wit, charm, and dry humor to make him a comedic master. With a twinkle in his eye, most people questioned if he was ever serious. Lane was always up to something. Just about everyone who knew him had a funny story about him, such as the time he taped an electric whoopie cushion under his mother’s chair and kept it going off throughout Thanksgiving dinner.

He married Sheryl Franklin of Colquitt, GA, February 14, 1976 at Cooks Union United Methodist Church in Colquitt, GA. In 1978, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Washington, DC temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they created a boisterous family with 6 energetic children. Lane considered being a father his greatest achievement and tried to make his children’s younger years as magical as possible. His children have endless memories of adventures with their father including family vacations, making countless home videos, hilarious characters he played, dance parties, guitar playing, and colorful storytelling. He was blessed to spend his last Christmas with his wife, children, and grandchildren, his last weeks visiting all 15 grandchildren, and his last Sunday dinner enjoying a brisket with family. There was nothing more important to him than time spent with loved ones.

Lane and Sheryl raised their family in Valdosta, where he owned Satellite Sales and Service, later known as Rural Cable, for 30+ years. To many Lane was known as “the Satellite Man.” Most customers had his number on speed dial for the disastrous times their satellite or TV malfunctioned. His children have many fond, and not so fond, memories of riding with or working alongside him. He also provided a service to many young employees through his “Work Rehabilitation Program.”

Lane had an affinity for music. He owned a portable home recording studio in the 80s and wrote and recorded an album, “Just Dust.” He filled his home with music and brought his kids up on everything from the Beatles and Moody Blues to Andrea Boccelli and Celtic Woman. He was often strumming on one of his many guitars. You could ask him to learn a song, and he would pick it up by ear with ease, or challenge him to hum a tune from the past 50 years and he would do it with perfect pitch.

Lane was a deeply spiritual man and was drawn to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of their doctrine of eternal families. He was passionate about genealogical research and loved discovering information about his ancestors. He was an avid scriptorian and man of prayer. He spent a lot of time on his knees conversing with God and served faithfully in his church in many positions. Lane practiced living the gospel of Christ everyday as he attempted to be of service to those who crossed his path. Passing out Mentos and other assorted candies from his suit jacket pocket to the children in his congregation as they ran up to him every Sunday, he was affectionately known as “the Candy Man ''.

For more than 20 years he served a friend in a wheelchair by making sure she was able to participate in church as well. He lifted her in and out of his work van every Sunday so she could attend. After he was too weak to carry her anymore he went to her house each week, without fail, to make sure she received the sacrament. He knew all of her favorite treats and would always bring those along. One night, during a very heavy rain as water crept into her apartment, Lane waded across a parking lot through thigh-high water to carry her to safety and had her moved into their home until she could return to hers. He served with Christ-like love.

Lane never met a stranger. He opened his home to anyone who needed a good meal, a place to live, a surrogate family, or a good laugh. He often filled someone’s gas tank or helped someone stranded on the side of the road. He had an overwhelmingly generous heart, and if he saw a need, he simply filled it. He loved hosting parties and could cook for a crowd with ease. His love language was a thick stack of juicy steaks. His Sunday dinner table often had 20 or so people around it, and they were usually treated to his prized brisket, dry humor, and tall tales. Everyone knew the door was always open or a key would be in the mailbox. There was a revolving door of friends––some who would drive hours with their family to spend the day with the Giddens family. Lane would greet everyone with, "Come on in!" and a hug, no matter what was going on. If you were a friend of Lane’s, you were a friend for life. Lane was larger than life and will be sorely missed, but the legendary stories of him will live on.

After suffering a significant stroke April 8, 2022, Lane was moved to hospice care and was surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He passed peacefully on the morning of April 16, with family by his side. Lane is survived by his wife, Sheryl, their 6 children, April Giddens, John Giddens (Angie), Sally Musgrove (Curtis), Taylor Giddens (Kynslie), Jamie Nef (Jeffrey), Thomas Giddens (Candi), their 15 grandchildren, his brother Rev. James Wilson Giddens Jr. (Linda), sister Martha Nesbit (Gary), and aunt Betty Lane. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John Thomas, and grandson John Giddens Jr.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Gornto Road in Valdosta, GA, Saturday, April 23 at 2 pm. A viewing and family visitation will be held Friday, April 22, 6-8pm at Carson McLane Funeral Home. Donations may be made to the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes at https://georgiasheriffsyouth.org/index.php/donate-now