Family and friends of Dennis Boyd Israel, 68, of Demorest, will honor his memory with a graveside service at Carlisle Wesleyan Church Cemetery in Chesnee, South Carolina at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 12. Those in attendance are invited to a Memorial Reception in the community room at Wesleyan Church immediately following the graveside service.
Mr. Israel died Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Habersham County Medical Center.
Born Aug. 29, 1952, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, he was the son of Dr. H. Boyd Israel and Joyce Ann Israel. He was a graduate of Campbell High School, in Smyrna, attended Valdosta State University and received his bachelor's and master's degree in Education from Georgia Southwestern University in Americus.
Mr. Israel's first love was for the Lord and teaching. He read his Bible daily and was a active member of First Baptist Church of Gainesville. He taught for 30 years in the Georgia Public Education system at the elementary, middle, and high school level, before retiring in 2008. Upon retirement, Mr. Israel met and married the love of his life, Paulette W. Cain. They were married in 2012 and Paulette survives him.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Israel is survived by the following members of his family, two daughters, Tiffany Turner Reynolds of Atlanta, and Christina Ellsworth of Grovetown; three stepchildren, Candace Cain Williams of Gainesville, Adam Cain of Watkinsville, and Amy Cain Michael of Demorest; and 10 grandchildren. Canine Boxers, Phelps and Gabby, are also beloved survivors of Mr. Israel.
Mr. Israel enjoyed tennis and running, becoming Semi-Pro in tennis during his collegiate years and continuing to enjoy competition running well into his early 60's, participating in Atlanta Track Club races and volunteering extensively for the Club. He had a love for fine arts and politics. Dancing, singing and acting were favorite post-retirement interests of Mr. Israel. He took acting classes after retiring and received several cameo roles in movies filmed in the Atlanta, and Knoxville, Tennessee area, as well as, acting roles in numerous commercials. In addition, he performed throughout his life with many Community Chorales and choirs throughout Georgia. Finally, before becoming ill in recent years, Mr. Israel actively engaged in volunteer activities such as tutoring exceptional children at ESP, an Athens based agency and teaching English-As-A-Second language students through First Baptist Church of Gainesville.
To sign an online registry, those wishing to do so or offer condolence, may visit McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home website at mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
In lieu of flowers those wishing to do so may make Memorial donations to In Loving Memory of Dennis Boyd Israel Go-Fund-Me account at https://gofund.me/68227fb9.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia is in charge of arrangements.