Daniel Gilbert Ariail, Sr.

The Rev. Dr. Daniel Gilbert Ariail, Sr., age 75, passed away early Monday morning, November 25, at Willson Hospice House in Albany. Funeral services are planned for 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 27, at Maranatha Baptist Church, with burial to follow in Lebanon Cemetery. Rev. C. G. Haugabook and Dr. Jim Starr will officiate. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 26, between the hours of 5:00 & 7:00 PM at Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St. Born August 24, 1938 in Chattanooga, TN, he was a son of the late Omer Gilbert Ariail and Marion Payne Ariail. Dr. Ariail served as a pastor for 45 years. Pastorates include Academy Baptist Church in Jefferson, GA, Union Baptist Church in Hull, GA, and Squiresville Baptist Church in Owenton, KY. He was Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church in Macon and First Baptist Church in Perry, and served for 23 years as pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. A graduate of Mercer University, Dr. Ariail continued his education at Southern Seminary, earning a Masters of Divinity. While at Maranatha, he earned his doctorate with emphasis on The Ministry of Hospitality. During his 45 years of ministry, Dr. Ariail served in many areas of associational work in the state and was very active on the local level with other churches and the community. He was the author of The Carpenter’s Apprentice and wrote articles in several Baptist publications. His love for music gave him the opportunity to compose original music for 15 years for the folk play, “If These Sidewalks Could Talk”. The plays were performed during the Plains Peanut Festival each year. Many honors and kind things can be said about Dr. Ariail. The main thing about him is that he always loved and cherished the people in all the churches he served. Survivors include his wife, Gwynelle (Nelle) Ariail of Plains; his children, Robin Elizabeth Ariail of Jacksonville, FL and Daniel Gilbert Ariail, Jr. (Sheri) of Americus; grandchildren, Hannah & Nick Ariail of Ellaville, and Ciara & Zack James of Americus; great-grandson, Gage Ariail of Ellaville; sisters, Dr. Mary Ariail of Decatur, GA, Lynn Bishop (John) of Elberton, and Pat Wood of Toccoa; brother Fred Ariail (Norma) of Flowery Branch; and a number of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Maranatha Baptist Church, P.O. Box 307, Plains, GA 31780, or to Willson Hospice House, P.O. 1828, Albany, GA 31702. To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the Ariail family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is in charge of arrangements.