LANETT — Tony Lee Meadows Sr., was born on June 5, 1964 to the parentage of Joseph Meadows, Sr. and Annie Lou Meadows in Langdale. Tony was called to eternal rest on Thursday, March, 28, 2019, at his residence in Lanett.

He was united in Christ at an early age and joined the Evening Springs Baptist Church, where he remained a dedicated and devoted member until God called him home.

Tony attended West Point High School and was a member of the Class of 1984, where he was an outstanding basketball player. His favorite pastime was spending time with his kids, grandkids, and family, watching Alabama football and making others laugh. He was employed as a press operator at Interface Flooring for 15 years and WestRock, formerly known as MeadWestVaco Packaging, for 22 years as a sheeter operator until his health declined.

Tony was one of the first African Americans hired as a machine operator and was part of a movement for positive change during the startup phase of  a new plant. He was very well respected by the senior leaders in the corporate division and by his colleagues at MeadWestVaco. Tony was the go to man for any questions or issues that some of the employees may have had. Even after his early retirement at WestRock, Tony stayed connected with his work family.

Tony was joined in holy matrimony to Elois Jackson; into this union five children were born.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Meadows Sr. and Annie Lou Meadows; grandmothers, Gensie Lou Thomas and Dora Harrison; grandfather, Willie Frank Thomas; great grandmother, Mollie Calloway Morgan and one of his favorite aunts, Fannie Pearl “Foxy” Benton; three uncles, Willie C. Thomas, Robert Thomas and Richard Harrison.

Mr. Meadows leaves to cherish his memories: six daughters, Michelle (Laveto) Davidson, Camela Cainion, and Arteria Florence, all of Valley, Kara Meadows (Armario Jackson) and Marquita Meadows, LaGrange and Ashley (Lecheko) Cheek Sr., Lanett, one son, Tony Lee Meadows Jr, Valley; three sisters, Jo Anne Meadows, Los Angeles, Cal., Jackie Constance (Ray) Perry, Prattville, and Denise (Herman) Hill, Fairburn, Georgia; four brothers, Gary Meadows and Frederick (Cynthia) Meadows, all of Louisville, Kentucky, Alan Meadows, West Point, and Joseph (Tamicha) Meadows, LaGrange; seven grandchildren, Donovan Heard, Jaliyah Meadows, Sean Cainion, Jaz’Myne Williams, Jermaine Williams, Aniyah Jackson, Addisyn Jackson, and a special companion/caretaker, Ms. Carla Winston, Lanett; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles other relatives and friends.

A homegoing celebration service for Mr. Meadows will be held Saturday, April 6, 2019, at 2 p.m. EDT from the sanctuary of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, West Point, with the Dr. W.T. Edmondson, pastor, the Rev. Elijah Jackson serving as the eulogist, the Rev. Darrell Jordan, the Rev. George Rampey, the Rev. Ronnie Jones, the Rev. Randy B. Kelley, and pastor Terry Tucker, assisting.

The remains will lie in state at the church from 1 p.m. until the funeral hour. Interment will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Lanett.

The family will receive friends at 1230 County Road 455, Lanett, AL.

To express online condolences, please visit our website at www.mwleemortuary,com. Final arrangements have been entrusted to M.W. Lee Mortuary of West Point, GA 31833.