James Paul "Jake" Singleton

James Paul Singleton, Jr. ("Jake") died on June 29, 2010, after a prolonged illness. He is predeceased by his parents, Effie and Paul Singleton of Eatonton, and his in-laws, Martha and Bill Ballek of Macon. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Jake received his Associate's degree from Brewton-Parker, BSEd from Georgia Southern, Master's in Guidance and Counseling from West Georgia College, and Specialist in Administration and Supervision from UGA. Jake spent his career life in the field of secondary education as teacher, guidance counselor and administrator. Living in Darien, GA. from 1965-1974, he became Darien High School's first guidance counselor after having taught Social Studies there for 3 years, and being selected as Star Teacher during this time. In 1974, he moved to Macon and became guidance counselor at Northeast High School; he then became Assistant Principal at Southwest and Central, where he was affectionately known to his students as "Jake the Snake". Jake retired in 1995. Jake's love was outdoors activities, gardening, hunting and fishing being his favorites, but his passion was his family, especially his 3 granddaughters who were the joys of his soul. Jake is survived by his wife, Tina Ballek Singleton; his daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Brad Poland of Macon; granddaughters, Alex McKayla Poland, Payton Louise Poland and Molly Dean Poland; sister and brother-in-law, Faye and J.R. Miller of Lilburn; sisters-in-law and their husbands, Donna and Fred Scarborough of Centennial, CO, and Billie and Mike Barnes of Adel; nephews and their families, Brian and Kelli Miller (Will and Lindsey) of Duluth and Nathan and April Barnes (Bri) of Adel; niece and her daughter, Julie Barnes Shattuck (Kennedy) of Adel; an aunt, Evelyn Singleton; and several cousins. Special thanks to his caregivers, Joyce Cephus and Sandra Jackson and the Heartland Hospice staff. A celebration of Jake's life will be held at 11 :00 A.M. on July 1 at Hart's at the Cupola on Peake Road led by Rev. Teresa Edwards, Rev. Romelle Jones and Rev. Robbie Kerr. Casual dress is Jake's request for all attending. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at 26 Broadway - 14th Floor New York, New York 10004. Family may be contacted at the Singleton residence, 904 Cottage Hill Drive. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.