Mr. Johnny “Reid” Tarpley, age 70, of Mineral Bluff, GA, passed away on June 25, 2017 at his home following an extended illness. He was born in Copperhill, TN to the late Cecil Harold Tarpley and Della Hazel Ross Tarpley. Mr. Tarpley served in the United States Marine Corps and worked for forty years as a heavy machinery operator for the Tennessee Chemical Company. Reid loved wood working and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Also preceding him in death were four brothers, Harold, Herman, Stevie and Jimmy Tarpley; and one nephew, Cecil Harold Tarpley, III.

Survivors include his wife of twenty six years, Betty Jean Tarpley of the home; son and daughter-in-law, John and Natalie Tarpley of Mineral Bluff, GA; daughter, Terresa Tarpley of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Taylor and Sydney Tarpley of Mineral Bluff, GA; sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Wesley Richardson of McCaysville, GA; and sister-in-law, Marie D. Tarpley of Murphy, NC.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Garren officiating. Music will be provided by Rev. Phillip Thomas. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Milton Voyles, Chris Crowder, Benny Cole, Randall Cross, Mike Ware and Troy Davis. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Copperhill, TN with full military honors provided by the North Georgia Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of the arrangements.