John Daniel Poppell Sr.

John Daniel Poppell, Sr. was born May 26, 1944, in Savannah, GA . He passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at St. Joseph Hospital at the age of 80. John was the second son of Reverend Allen Quincy Poppell Sr. and Hallie Malphrus Poppell. He was a lifelong resident of Savannah. John graduated from Jenkins high school in 1962. He then attended Brewton Parker College before entering the United States Coast Guard with his brother Allen. They served in the Coast Guard reserve for 6 years.

In 1964, John and his brother Allen started what is now known as Poppell Bros Inc. They were later joined by brothers, David and Gene. He was a member of Windsor Forest Baptist Church for more than 50 years where he served as a deacon, chairman of the board of deacons, member, and chairman of many church committees. He started teaching Sunday school immediately after becoming a member with the youth to senior adults until he was unable to teach any longer. He was a member of the church choir and sang in a quartet with his three brothers. He was a member of the Coffee Bluff Marine Rescue Squadron.

John loved working with children of all ages, whether in church or the athletic field. He coached little league baseball and football, then as his children grew older, he became an avid spectator not missing any games just as he did with his grandchildren, traveling many miles to be at their games. John played tennis, golf, water and snow skied. He also liked taking people shrimping, but he never let anyone else throw the net but himself. Fishing was his favorite, he went fishing every chance he could, which included Thanksgiving Day this year. When someone asked him how he was doing, he said, ”I’m doing good for a 80 year old, but I’d be doing better if I was fishing.”

John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Paula Bragg Poppell; his children, John Daniel Poppell, Jr. (Ingrid), James Scott Poppell (Krista), and Heather Poppell Singletary (John); his five grandchildren, Quinton Parker Singletary (Gracie) of Vicenza, Italy, Jackson Bragg Singletary, John William Poppell, Mollie Amelia Poppell, and Harper James Poppell; his sisters-in-law, Nancy B. Poppell, Carolyn H. Poppell and Susan B. Faulkner; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Reverend Allen Quincy Poppell Sr. “Pop” and Hallie Malphrus Poppell “Sweetheart”. His three brothers; Allen Q. Poppell Jr, David L. Poppell, Robert E. Poppell Sr. and sister-in-law; Joan G. Poppell.

The family wishes a special thanks to his caregiver, Brenette Washington.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel (7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive Savannah, GA 31406)

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

A family memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Dementia Society of America or American Heart Association.