MACON — Fred Gilkey Jr., 89, died Aug. 14, 2025, at his residence.

Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, at New Hope U.M. Church, with Kori Bridges officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation is from 2-5 p.m. Friday at Carter’s Funeral Services. Carter’s Funeral Services of Macon is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Gilkey was born Sept. 9, 1935, in Noxubee County, to the late Fred Gilkey Sr. and Rose Gilkey. He was formerly employed at Noxubee Tire Services and owned and operated Gilkey’s Tire and Papa G’s. He was a member of New Hope U.M. Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Gilkey Wallace; and siblings, Dorothy Williams, Napoleon “Pole” Gilkey and O.C. Gilkey.

He is survived by his wife, Bertha Gilkey of Macon; children, Billie Gilkey-Johnson and Sara Gilkey Sims, both of Jackson, Mae Nell Gilkey of Washington, D.C., and Grady Gilkey of Columbus; siblings, Vergene Harkins of Columbus, Hattie Mann of California, and Johnny Rogers of Indiana; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are  Zeltre Smith, Christopher Wallace, Nicholas Sims, Frank Wells, Sean Harkins and Michael Harkins.