Henrinel "Dell" Middleton

Miss Henrinel “Dell” Middleton, of Blakely Georgia passed away at home on June 7 surrounded by her family. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Manry Jordan Hodges Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Officiants will be Rev. Robert Pullen and Rev. Joel Hudgins. She was born in 1937 at home in Blakely, Georgia. She graduated from Damascus High School. She attended Georgia Southwestern College in Americus and Georgia Southern College in Statesboro. She later received her master’s degree in history education from Georgia Southern College in 1968. In 1966, she was one of 30 teachers chosen from hundreds of applicants to attend a National Institute on Totalitarian Governments. After college, Miss Middleton taught at Damascus High School for 5 years and then went to Mitchell County High School for 5 years and then 1 year at Early County High School. She was then one of the charter teachers at Southwest Georgia Academy where she began teaching in 1970. During the years of teaching she taught Georgia History, World History. American History and Government. At Southwest Georgia Academy, in addition to her teaching duties, she co-sponsored the Academic Bowl team, plan and directed the Honor’s Day program, sponsored the Senior Beta Club, the Junior Class Ring Day. She also directed the Junior-Senior Prom. She was one of the region literary coaches. She narrated Senior Night Recognition for all sports. She was also the host for many athletic banquets at the school. She also planned and chaperoned many student field trips including Washington, Williamsburg, New Orleans and for 29 years was one of the chaperones for the senior cruise. She also served as scorekeeper for SGA basketball and was statistician for football and baseball for many years. Miss Middleton was chosen Star Teacher in 1979,1980,1995,1997,1998 and 2000. The 1981 yearbook was dedicated to her as well as the 1986 football program. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma which is an organization which honors outstanding educators and promotes leadership training. Miss Middleton also taught Sunday School and was song leader at the Damascus Baptist Church for many years. In addition to her love for teaching and working with students and faculty of Southwest Georgia Academy , she loved her family, her church, she loved to read, and spoil her nieces and as well as her great nephew and nieces. She is preceded in death by her father, Henry “Zeke” Middleton and her mother Charline Middleton and her brother-in-law Hamp Barfield. She is survived by her sister, Charlene Barfield, her nieces, Melanie Ashley and Ginger Weathersby (Greg), her great nephew, Nic Weathersby and her great nieces, Lanie Deloach Foster (Rundy) and Ella Ashley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her honor to Southwest Georgia Academy, 14105 Ga Hwy 200, Damascus, Ga. 39841. Manry Jordan Hodges Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.