Reverend Keith Sandlin

Rev. Keith Sandlin, 68, of Lake Park, died on Friday, August 20, 2021, after a brief illness. Born in Valdosta on February 12, 1953, to the late Lilly Gilliam Sandlin and George Talmadge Sandlin, Sr. he had been a lifelong resident of this area. Growing up here, Bro. Keith graduated from Lowndes High School in 1970. After high school, Keith worked with his father at the family business, Sandlin’s Garage in Lake Park. Keith soon met and married the former Jena Crumley on December 13, 1972, in Statenville. In the mid 1970’s, Keith attended a service at Corinth Baptist Church, led by Rev. Frank O’Brien and Keith was saved. Keith devoted himself to serving his Lord Jesus from that time on. He went to seminary at International Bible College in Florida, along with time at Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville as well as VSU in Valdosta. He went on to earn his Doctorate degree, also at International Bible College, in the early 1980’s. Rev. Sandlin began his pastoral ministry at Lake Park Christian Church in Lake Park, where he served for 8 years. He then moved to Lake Park Church of God, and served this congregation for 38 years, until the current time. Bro. Keith was a great pastor, who loved, and was loved by his congregation. While at Lake Park Church of God, Dr. Sandlin began and operated a school, Lake Park Christian Academy, at the church for a decade. He also taught for several years in the vocational department at Lowndes High School. Devotion to his community was also a consistent theme in Keith Sandlin’s life. In the late 1970’s, Keith was elected to the Lake Park City Council. At the time, he was the youngest elected councilman in the State of Georgia. Keith went on to be elected as Mayor. Mayor Sandlin continued to serve several years, and several terms as mayor, for nearly 30 years. Keith was a devoted member of the Lake Park Historical Society and an avid reader.
Survivors include his wife, Jena Crumley Sandlin of Lake Park; two sons, Daniel Keith Sandlin of Lake Park and Joseph Clement Sandlin of Brunswick; his brother, George Talmadge Sandlin, Jr. of Lake Park; four grandchildren, Abigail Danielle Sandlin of Hahira, Landin Cole Sandlin, Owen Dean Sandlin and George Talmadge “G” Sandlin, III, all of Lake Park. Also surviving are his mother in law, Reba Crumley of Brooks County; two brothers in law, Lloyd & Laura Crumley, Harry & Laverne Crumley; a sister in law and brother in law, Tena & Don Dixon and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by a son, Justin Cole Sandlin, a brother, Paul Gregory Sandlin and his father in law, L.A. Crumley.
The funeral for Dr. Sandlin will be held at 10 am on Monday, August 23, 2021, at Lake Park Church of God. Rev. Harold McLeod, Rev. Andy Pearson, Rev. Buck Crumley and Rev. Mickey Corbett will officiate. Burial will follow at Carter Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church Sunday afternoon, August 22, 2021, from 5 until 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lake Park Church of God. The family also asks that in light of the COVID 19 illness, everyone should wear a mask and observe social distancing. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com McLane Lakewood Funeral Home