TIFTON — Miss Azzie Robbie Nation, 88, of Tifton, went home to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, at Tift Health Care surrounded by her nieces, who took special care of her in her last days.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Omega Baptist Church. The Rev. Joseph Crumley will officiate, with burial to follow at Omega Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m. Wednesday at Omega Baptist Church. Jimmy Pope, Richard Garrett, Eddie Kirksey, Jeff Markem, Anthony Spurlin and Rodney Stephens will serve as pallbearers. Honorary escorts will be great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.

  Miss Nation was born on Sept. 23, 1921 in Tifton and was the daughter of Dewey Cheley Nation and Bessie Gertrude Patrick Nation, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by one sister and brother-in-law, Mary Estelle N. and George Willis McFarland; one sister-in-law, Winona Dickens Nation; one niece, Melanie Yvette Nation; and many dear friends.

Miss Nation is survived by one sister and brother-in-law, Bess Virginia N. and Ray Vickers of Omega; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Bobby Duie and Freddie Nation of Dawson and Charles Gerald and June Nation of Moultrie; six nieces and their spouses, Catina McFarland Garrett and her husband, Richard, of Tifton, Robbie McFarland Pope and her husband, Jimmy, of Tifton, Cindy Nation Kirksey and her husband, Eddie, of Dawson, Terri Nation Markem and her husband, Jeff, of Locust Grove, Tammy Vickers Stephens and her husband, Rodney, of Suwannee and Rebecca Nation Chuba of Pittsburgh, Pa.; eight great-nieces, Wendy Canady Spurlin, Jessica Kirksey, Elizabeth Stephens, Rebecca Markem, Sunny Connolly, Jessica Pope, Lori Pope Jackson and Niki Pope Wade; three great-nephews, Jon Garrett, Parker Stephens and Pierce Connolly; three great-great nieces, Hannah Spurlin, Kierstyn Spurlin and Hunter Pope; and three great-great nephews, Tyler Olivas, Ryan Garrett and Kevin Exum.

Miss Nation lived most of her life in Omega and was an active member of Omega Baptist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She also enjoyed family get-togethers, especially the Patrick Cousins’ Dinners. During her many years residing in Omega, Miss Nation assisted on the farm and worked in the Omega School Cafeteria. She was later employed by Fitzgerald Underwear in the trimming department.

Miss Nation was a breast cancer survivor and lived a full and active life after diagnosis and recovery.

Azzie was at home in the kitchen, in the flower garden or on the river or creek bank with a fishing pole. She was a great cook and her family’s favorites were her fried chicken and fried apple pies. She especially loved to cook fish that she had caught herself and loved to invite all of her friends over to enjoy a great meal. She was an avid fisherwoman and was known by many for her passion and love for planting and nurturing her flower gardens.

As her health began to decline, Miss Nation moved into the assisted living facility, The Rachel House in Sparks, where she enjoyed the company of a good friend and former neighbor, as well as the special care she received there given by the staff. While there, she developed a love for "find the word" books and would spend hours solving these puzzles. In 2006, Miss Nation moved to Tift Health Care, where she resided until her death.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to a favorite charity. You may express online condolences to the family at www.bowen-donaldson.com.  Arrangements for the Nation family are being provided by Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.