Mr. Ray Bradford (Brad) Senkbeil

Ray Bradford (Brad) Senkbeil, 71, passed away on June 06, 2024, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be at Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester, GA on Sunday, June 9, 2024 from 5:00-7:00. Funeral services will be at First Baptist Church of Sylvester on June 10, 2024 at 10:00 am with interment to follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Pastor Donnie Duncan will officiate. Brad was born in Sylvester on February 18, 1953, to Newton Spencer and Sarah McCarty Senkbeil. He was the second of four children. He had an active childhood and could often be found playing and swimming across the street of his home at the Sylvester (Jefford's) Park. His mother kept a daycare at their home. His father, a local businessman, built the small shopping plaza next to their home and park. His family instilled in Brad an incredible work ethic and the value of having a positive impact on your community. His older brother Paul, taught him toughness through example! He was a graduate of the Worth County Class of 1971. After High School he worked locally and married Jeannine (Stewart of Sumner), his highschool sweetheart, in 1972 at the Chapel of First Baptist Sylvester. In 1973 he completed and received his Emergency Medical Technician Certificate from the Albany Area Technical School. Brad joined one of the earliest groups of EMTs to work in this area of the state. Later, Brad attended ABAC before he applied and was accepted to the University of Georgia School of Pharmacy, where he graduated with honors in 1978. He began his pharmacy career at a national retail chain drug store in Albany, GA where he worked for over 15 years before leaving in 1994 to open a pharmacy of his own back in his hometown of Sylvester. By 1995, a "Grand Opening" sign welcomed the community to its newest local pharmacist. In 2006, like his father before him, Brad oversaw the construction of his own retail shopping center, Sundance Plaza, where he moved his pharmacy until his retirement in 2015. By the time he had retired, Brad had accumulated over 35 years of working experience as a pharmacist. Over 20 of those years were spent serving the community of Sylvester. Brad was an active member of First Baptist Church Sylvester. His wife, Jeannine and their four children could be found every Sunday in the wings of the church. He received his Certificate of Ordination as Deacon of First Baptist Church of Sylvester in 1991 and faithfully served many years after. Brad also served as head of the First Baptist Sylvester Brotherhood for many years. Brad spent his final years working the family farm, spending his retirement outdoors much like his childhood. He was an avid learner his entire life. He often would unintentionally be funny to those around him. Although Parkinson's may have kept him from the work and the community he so dearly wanted to serve, he always found purpose in helping his own family in any way he could. His toughness, work ethic, empathy and passion for helping others are all guiding principles he instilled among his children and grandchildren. Brad passed four days before his 52nd wedding anniversary. He was preceded in death by both parents and one son, Benjamin Senkbeil. He is survived by his wife Jeannine Senkbeil, siblings Paul (Sharon) Senkbeil, Dale Senkbeil and Jeffrey Senkbeil, children Matthew (Holly) Senkbeil, Seth (Amy) Senkbeil, and Kelly (Justin) Cooper and grandchildren Colby Cooper, Bryton Puckett, Castin Cooper, Addison Senkbeil, Bradford Senkbeil, Stratton Senkbeil and Benjamin "Benji" Senkbeil

Mr. Ray Bradford (Brad) Senkbeil

February 18, 1953 - June 6, 2024