Chris Gay

Chris Lane Gay, 63, of Pooler, GA, died Monday, May 12, 2025, at St. Joseph’s hospital.

He was born in Savannah, GA to the late Joe W, Sr., and Nita Morris Gay. He was raised in Pooler, a member of the Savannah Christian Preparatory School Class of 1979, and pursued a career in the retail grocery business. Chris was a member of Rothwell Baptist Church and attended Garden City First Baptist Church.

Chris’s heart and compassion for others was as big as the “big boy” chairs he declared he must sit in. Once he realized there was a physical, financial, or spiritual need he was your biggest supporter and cheerleader. He was the family ‘baby whisperer.”  New babies loved to be held and comforted by Chris’s special touch. He was a large presence at any gathering and was a gifted storyteller and comedian. Everyone who knew Chris had a story with him. Finally, Chris was the biggest UGA football fan, watching a game with Chris was to experience football at its finest.

Chris began his career in the grocery industry at the Garden City Piggly Wiggly, he was an integral part of the development of the Red and White Food Stores in Savannah, owned the Midtown Market on 37th Street in Savannah and owned and operated the Claxton Supermarket, and FoodFresh of Claxton, GA. Chris became a dedicated member of the Claxton community through his support of the Chamber of Commerce. Chris served on the Claxton-Evans County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for over 25 years. He was a three term Chamber President and was instrumental in the formation of the Chamber Junior Board. Chris also served on the Claxton Downtown Development Authority, the Georgia Food Industry Association and was a past member of Claxton Rotary.

He was a founding member of the Evans Region College and Career Academy Board of Directors. 

In addition to his parents, Chris was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Buddy Holt, his second mother, Beth Jones, several aunts and uncles, and niece, Kim Gay. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lisa Holt Gay, sons, J. Michael Gay and Cory Lane Gay, brothers, Joey Gay (Terri) , Danny Gay (Dianne), Marty Gay (Dana) and sister, Tonya Hillis (Jay), mother-in-law, June Holt, sister-in-law, Leslie Dettore (Vince), brothers-in-law, Chuck Holt, Christopher Holt (Christy Nelson), aunts Ouida Sutton and Dorothy Collins and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Additionally, he leaves behind his adopted family, Edd Jones, Cathy and Mike Royal, Mike and Vanessa Jones, Rebecca and Richard Schmidt, Mitchell and Terri Jones and their respective families.

Finally, Chris will be missed by a host of employees who knew they could always depend on “Mr. Chris”.

Visitation will be held at Strickland Funeral Home of Pooler GA on Wednesday, May 14 from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  Services will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 11:00 AM at Rothwell Baptist Church, 216 Rothwell Avenue, Pooler, GA. The Reverend Tommy Dukes of Garden City First Baptist officiating. Chris’s nephews will serve as pallbearers.

In the spirit of Chris’s big heart, the family ask that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Evans County C.A.R.E.S. organization, P.O. Box 186, Claxton, GA 30417 or Ferst Readers Childhood Literacy Program, P.O. Box 852, Claxton, GA 30417.