Mrs. Eris Christine Pate Johnson Barksdale

August 28, 1924 - May 7, 2022

Mrs. Eris Christine Johnson Pate Barksdale, 97, of Fitzgerald, formerly of Sylvester, died on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the Life Care Center of Fitzgerald. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, May 9, 2022 at Gordy New Bethel Baptist Church, interment will follow in the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. The Rev. Mike Carter and Rev. Bradley Floyd will officiate. Mrs. Barksdale was born on August 28, 1924 in Brooks County, to the late Frazier Butler and Lena Virginia McRae Johnson. She had lived in Worth County since 1948 and was retired from the Worth County Board of Education where she worked as a cafeteria worker. Mrs. Barksdale enjoyed doing arts and crafts, making quilts, and playing the piano. She loved spending time with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mrs. Barksdale was a member of Gordy New Bethel Baptist Church. Survivors include his sons, Ray Pate (Lavern) of Perry, GA., and Rex Pate of Sylvester; grandchildren, Ray Pate, Jr., Shannon Pate, Craig Pate (Sunday), Brandon Pate (Marley), Kristen Potter (Rob), Chad Downs (Jenni), Stacie Brooks (Keith) and Dawn Deal; 14 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Barksdale was preceded in death by her first husband, Blanchard Pate on December 13, 1964 and her second husband, Preston Barksdale on April 18, 1999; all of her siblings, and a daughter-in-law, Sue Pate. The family will receive friends on Monday from 1:00 PM until the service hour at Gordy New Bethel Baptist Church. Please sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com. Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester is in charge of arrangements.