Stephen 'Steve' Edward Altman

Stephen Edward Altman (Steve) of Hoboken, Georgia passed away December 17 following a sudden illness. He was 61. Steve was born to Ellis and Virdie Altman on January 26, 1953, and was a member of the fourth generation of Altmans to grow up on their farmlands south of Hoboken. He showed an early love for building things and for solid practical problem-solving, and these led him to a career in construction beginning with Sirmans & Vickers Construction of Waycross, where his character and responsibility soon made him a supervisor. He later worked as a supervisor with Hannah Builders. When Farmers and Builders Supply decided to open a store in Nahunta, Steve was asked to come on as the general manager, and he served in that position for over 20 years. Steve was best known for his vast knowledge of construction techniques and tools, and the joy he took in helping others. He was a gifted explainer and teacher who could always offer solid advice for any problem or project. He was also a constant learner, always reaching out to learn and master new skills; in his later years, he had taken up locksmithing, metalwork, and primitive firearms, among other things. He had designed and made a number of attachments (including a working fertilizer spreader) for his antique FarmAll Cub tractor, and was always making some new improvement to his Jeep. Steve was also known for the time he took for others, often devoting his time off to visiting people to help with their home repairs, or bringing their tools or furniture back to his workshop for repair or restoration. He was an instrument of God's grace in creation, leaving every object he touched better than it was before. He loved creating new things in his workshop, where he could spend hours in busy contemplation; he loved riding through the woods with his wife and his Jack Russell terriers in his Jeep; and he loved his family. His laughter at watching all his children and grandchildren attempt and learn new things, and his joy in the sheer wonder of it, will stay with them through their lives, and will survive in their own laughter and joy. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Jenny Amanda Altman of Hoboken; by his two sons, Tracy Stephen Altman and his wife Jeannie Smith Altman, and Martin Ellis Altman and his wife Carolyn Joy Altman, all of Douglasville, Georgia; by his father, Ellis David Altman, of Hoboken; by six grandchildren, Stephen Daniel Altman, Sara Margaret Altman, and Elizabeth Audrey Altman (children of Tracy and Jeannie Altman), and Elise Katherine Altman, Caleb Martin Altman, and Jesse Michael Altman (children of Martin and Carolyn Altman); by his former wife, Kathy Warren Cook, of Waycross (mother of Tracy Altman and Marty Altman); by two step-daughters, Nancy Amanda Boyd of Hoboken and Sarah Wilson-Davis Hamil of Milledgeville, Georgia; by three step-grandchildren, Phoenix Alexander Sikes, Darby Grace King, and Lydia Rose King (children of Nancy Boyd); by his brother, Clinton Andrew Altman and his wife Debi Petty Altman, of Hoboken; by his nephew, Kaleb Chase Altman (son of Clinton and Debit Altman) and his wife Brandie Aldridge Altman, of Baxley, Georgia; by his niece, Britnee Tatum Davis (daughter of Clinton and Debi Altman) and her husband William Martin Davis, of Hubert, North Carolina; by five grand-nephews and grand-nieces, Brody Fisher Yeomans, Sydnee Brooks Davis, and Baylee Harper Davis (children of Britnee Davis), and Colton Ellis Altman and Hartley Emmie Altman (children of Chase Altman); and by his surviving great-aunts and great-uncles, Mary Louise Dowling, Kennon Altman and his wife Catherine Altman, Linda Altman, and Loretta Stone. He is preceded in death by his older brother, Russell Ellis Altman, and by his mother, Virdie Goodin Altman, both of Hoboken. A visitation will be held at Frye Funeral Home in Nahunta on Saturday, December 20, at 5:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Hoboken on Sunday, December 21, at 3:00 p.m., with a graveside service and interment to follow afterwards at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Garrett, Ray Davis, Chase Altman, Will Davis, Marshall Edgy, and Charles Hamil. Honorary pallbearers will be the employees of Farmers and Builders. Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta GA . Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.