Mr. Gerald "Jerry" Mcbride

Mr. Gerald "Jerry" McBride, age 81, of Vidalia, GA, and formerly of Thomaston, died Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at Emanuel County Medical Center in Swainsboro, GA. Funeral services for Mr. McBride will be held on Saturday, July 16, at 2:00 PM, in the chapel of Fletcher-Day Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Patrick officiating. Interment will follow in Upson Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 12:30 until the funeral hour. Mr. McBride was born March 12, 1941, in Atlanta, GA, to the late Nelson J. McBride and Florine E. McBride. He was a 1959 graduate of South Dekalb High School, and he served his country in the United States Air Force from 1959-1963. While stationed in Montgomery, AL, he met Brenda June Patrick, who would become his wife of 59 years. Mr. McBride later was employed as a fireman and paramedic by Dekalb County, where he retired as a lieutenant after twenty-five years of service. While living in Thomaston, he was employed in the maintenance department of the Thomaston-Upson School System for ten years. Mr. McBride enjoyed fishing, doing word find puzzles, tinkering, and cooking. He was once on TV for his biscuit making and was famous for his chocolate cake and homemade strawberry ice cream. He was a former member of East Thomaston Baptist Church and a current member of Higgston Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, Mr. McBride was preceded in death by a brother, Mike McBride, and a son-in-law, Billy Rogers. Survivors include his wife, Brenda June McBride of Vidalia, GA; a daughter, Kim Rogers of McDonough, GA; two sons: Darrin McBride (Barbie Walsh) of Molena, GA, and Patrick (Patsy) McBride of Statesboro, GA; a sister, Neva (Jack) Miller of Hartwell, GA; two brothers: Roland (Julia) McBride of Decatur, GA, and David (Joy) McBride of Toccoa, GA. Seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews also survive. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.