David DeMersseman of Valdosta, GA, died Monday, May 2, 2010, at age 54.
David was the son of Eugene and Marie DeMersseman, also deceased.
He is survived by three children, Stewart, Suzanna and Daniel, all of Valdosta, as well as five siblings, Lloyd DeMersseman of Valdosta, Lois D. Griffin of Tallahassee FL, Paul DeMersseman of Athens GA, Billy DeMersseman of Buford GA, and Danny DeMersseman of Valdosta. Family members also include three aunts, Clara Corbett, Olive Hammers and Eleanor Boyer, one uncle, Walter Hammers, many cousins, and twelve nieces and nephews, Claire, John, Emelie, Kim, Robert, Marie, Zac, Bennett, Dustin, Will, Jake, and Anna.
David was one-of-a-kind, as anyone who knew him will testify. People all over the South and Midwest knew David because he made new friends every day. He was frugal in meeting his own needs, but extravagantly generous in meeting the needs of others. It became his greatest joy in the last several years. David touched many lives, often very literally. He was more than happy to give a hug or a handshake to people he barely knew. There was barely anyone he didn’t know and if he didn’t know someone, he was quick to change that. His daily prayer and mission was to bless the people he encountered each waking hour, responding to the leading of God’s Spirit. Whether by surprising neighbors with a home-cooked meal or by mowing their lawns unasked, by helping a family in need with a financial gift, or by buying the groceries of everyone in line behind him at the supermarket, he reveled in sharing God’s love. He regularly visited local nursing homes and the hospital to cheer anyone he could by playing his guitar and singing. He wrote and sang praise music and recently made a CD to share with others. He was a Spirit-filled Christian who loved his family and friends and never met a stranger. He would take his guitar on the road with him, singing to customers and employees alike at the Popeye’s restaurants where he sold insurance. Sometimes he would even make homemade ice cream for all the employees and always beamed when one of them had never had homemade ice cream before. He was active in numerous churches, sometimes visiting up to four in a day, but when he left the church the church never left him. It was his mission to share his joy and his God with anyone and everyone whenever and wherever he went.
In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to The David DeMersseman Memorial Fund. This memorial fund has been established through the Community Foundation of South Georgia. All donations are tax deductable. The funds will be used to support charitable initiatives that David and his family are passionate about. All distributions will be determined by the family. Please mail to: The David DeMersseman Memorial Fund c/o Community Foundation of South Georgia, P.O. Box 2654 Thomasville, GA 31799.
His funeral was held at First United Methodist Church in Valdosta on Saturday, May 8th, at 3 pm with Rev. Bob Moon and Pastor Lee Barnes officiating. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at
www.mclanefuneralservices.com.
Carson McLane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
