Aubrey Waites Harvey

This Obituary was lovingly prepared by the family

Aubrey Waites Harvey was born at home on April 11, 1934, and passed away on June 5, 2025, at the age of 91. Born in the Rocky Plains Community to Boyce and Exa Gardner Harvey, Aubrey was the last of nine siblings. He often said jokingly that he was “The one they were looking for.” His middle name, Waites, is in honor of Covington doctor, Dr. S. L. Waites, who delivered him.

As a devoted member of Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, he attended as long as he was able. He frequently said that he had been in church all his life, even the nine months before he was born! When he was 12 years old, he became a member of the church. At age 15, Hopewell built an education/community center, and Aubrey gave the welcome address at the dedication of the building. He was an elder, a Sunday school teacher, and Chairman of the congregation. In 2024, the church presented Aubrey with a plaque of appreciation for “A Lifetime of Service to Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.”

A member of the Newton County High School 1952 graduating class, Aubrey proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Specialist Fourth Class (SP4) from 1956 to 1958.

Aubrey is preceded in death by his loving wife, Polly Veal Harvey. They married on May 12, 1968, and were married 54 years prior to her death in 2022.

Aubrey and Polly had a farm, Harvey’s Rolling Acres, in the Rocky Plains community, where they raised black angus cattle for about 35 years. In 1993, he was named the Piedmont Cattleman’s Association Purebred Cattleman of the Year. Aubrey and Polly had a cabin and a small pond on their farm where they entertained family and friends on many holidays and special occasions. There was always plenty of delicious food including his famous Brunswick stew and barbecue, fried catfish, or hamburgers and hot dogs. There was nothing he enjoyed more than gathering with family and friends to “make stew.” Aubrey recently said about planning and hosting these events, “It was a lot of work, but it didn’t seem like it.” Aubrey and Polly loved dogs and had many over the years that brought them much pleasure.

Aubrey had a long, successful, and diverse career. It began at General Motors in Atlanta where he was working when he was drafted into the Army. After serving four years in the Army, he returned to General Motors for two more years. He then worked for a year with the Steele Insurance Agency when they were located on Floyd Street in Covington. He commented that “once you sold insurance to all your kin folks and friends you were about done.”

He worked for the Army Reserves for 4 years where he achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). He loved telling the story of going to work for the United States Department of Agriculture. A friend encouraged him to take the civil service test. He successfully passed it the second time around, scoring a 92, and he found just the right job with the Department of Agriculture. When he went to interview for the job, the man conducting the interview told him he could not give him the job because a college degree was required. Aubrey told him he would work without pay for six months if he gave him a chance. He then said, “If I cannot do the job, we will just strike off and be even.” After six months he was hired! He enjoyed working for the United States Department of Agriculture for 31 years. In 1986, the United States Department of Agriculture presented him with a plaque that recognized his “Distinguished Individual Achievement” for demonstrating exemplary performance in administering agricultural programs which have benefited farming operations throughout the states.” He served as president of the Georgia Association of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service for 3 years.

He served as County Manager in Henry County for 5 years. The Aubrey W. Harvey Agriculture building in Henry County is named in his honor. For 3 years, he was employed by the Middle Georgia Livestock Auction. He successfully developed two subdivisions in Newton County: Livingston Willows and Hopewell Village. He was a Mason, celebrating his 70th year as a Mason in 2025. The fellowship hall at the Ancient York Lodge #127 in Worthville, Georgia, where he was a member, was named in honor of him.

Aubrey was the epitome of a “Southern” gentleman. He loved God; his church; his wife, Polly; his family; and his friends. Entertaining company and having good conversations was one of his favorite things to do – especially reminiscing and telling stories about the past! He was an avid Georgia Bulldog and Atlanta Braves fan. Aubrey was a kind, considerate, generous person. He will be dearly missed. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his brothers: Robert Harvey, Avery Harvey, Ben Harvey, and Frank Harvey, and sisters: Cora Harvey Turner, Lois Harvey, Josie Harvey Smith, and Mary Harvey Castleberry. He is survived by sister-in-law, Betty Wheeler Harvey, numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and lots of friends.

Thank you to Tim West, to the staff at Benton House, Jasper Memorial Hospital, and Longleaf Hospice for taking such good care of him.

Services will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 8, 2025, at J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home with Dr. Leslie Holmes and Dr. Kevin Hartley as officiants. Entombment will follow at the Chapel Mausoleum at Lawnwood Memorial Park with a Masonic service. The family will receive friends at J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church c/o Julie Gallups, Church Treasurer, 155 Hopewell Church Road, Covington, Georgia 30016.

J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with these arrangements.

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