Pastor Rafael Roberto Familia Morel, age 67, of Rocky Face, Georgia, departed this life Thursday, October 31, 2013 at the local hospital. Pastor Familia was born June 3, 1946 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, a son of the late Rafael Familia and Saturnina Morel. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Carmen Familia. Pastor Rafael was a minister in the Seventh Day Adventist Church for over forty-three years.

Pastor Familia is known and loved to be the most compassionate, loving, caring man. A dedicated and loving Minister, Father and Grandfather, we will carry his memory in our heart forever,until we meet again in Heaven where the best is yet to be.

He is survived by his loving wife of forty-four years, Norma Esther Gonzalez Familia; son and daughter-in-law, Rafael R. and Bellanira Familia of Savannah, GA; daughter and sons-in-law, Esther Familia-Cabrera and David Cabrera of Tunnel Hill, GA, Keren E. Familia-Christensen and Bjarne Christensen of Denmark; grandchildren, Bryant, Emely and Brandon Familia, Katherine and Richard Cabrera, Elizabeth Christensen; brothers, Rafael B., William, Miguel Familia; sisters, Elba, Altagracia, Lilliam and Alba Familia; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Services to celebrate the life of Pastor Rafael Roberto Familia Morel will be held Monday, November 4, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with Pastor Samuel Garcia officiating. Interment will follow at the Collegedale Memorial Park Cemetery in Collegedale, Tennessee. The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Sunday and after 10:00 a.m. Monday until the service hour.

Arrangements by, Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, GA 30721, 706-226-4002.

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