Roper Funeral Home and Crematory 206 Holly St Jasper, GA 30143 (706) 253-7500 (706) 253-0040 www.roperfuneralhome.com HONORABLE JOHN EDWIN WORCESTER, SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE July 3, 1949 - August 17, 2023 Honorable John Edwin Worcester, Superior Court Judge, age 74, of Jasper, passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper. In early life, after attending the American School in London, John attended boarding school at College du Leman in Geneva Switzerland where he met his future wife, Sharon, with whom he reconnected at a school reunion many years later. A bit of a rebel with an unquenchable spirit for adventure, John was always vivacious, funny, and well loved. He had a passion for hockey, baseball card collecting and woodworking and used his spare time to renovate his houses. He earned a bachelor's degree from Valdosta State University, a master's degree from Troy University, and a law degree from Atlanta Law School. He was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1993. He tirelessly served the people of Fannin, Gilmer, and Pickens Counties for more than 17 years. He championed and served on the Board of Directors of Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a state-wide, voluntary non-profit organization dedicated to working for the best interests of Georgia's abused and neglected children since its earliest days in Georgia. In the early 90s, he led program development efforts as Georgia CASA's Program Development Director, encouraging judges to welcome lay advocates into their courtrooms. John served as the Appalachian Judicial Circuit's Chief Juvenile Judge, during which time, he oversaw an exemplary court-sponsored CASA program. In 2016, Governor Nathan Deal appointed John as one of the circuit's three Superior Court Judges to fill the unexpired term of Judge Amanda H. Mercier. Just prior to his appointment, John was selected as the National CASA/GAL Association Judge of the Year - the only Georgia judge, in Georgia CASA's 35-year history, to receive this honor. In addition to working with the civil and criminal matters assigned to him, John presided over the Appalachian Judicial Circuit's Mental Health and Parental Accountability Courts. He also assisted with the Circuit's Drug Court, Veterans Court, and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision's Daily Reporting Center program. An active community participant, John was a member of the Rotary Club. He was also a member of the Council of Superior Court Judges where he served on the Pattern Jury Instructions, and the Accountability and Treatment Courts Committees. He was also co-chairman of the organization's Parental Accountability Court Subcommittee. John was an energetic and kindhearted supporter of community, most recently serving as the Grand Master of the Georgia Apple Festival. A great friend and much beloved husband, he will be missed by all who knew him. John is survived by his wife, Sharon Ann Stripling Worcester of Jasper, Georgia and her three sons, their wives and children, as well as his niece, Shelly Renae Hamilton of Wichita Falls, Texas. John is preceded in death by his parents, Catherine Cryer Worcester and John Edwin Worcester Sr. as well as his sister, Catherine Ellen Hamilton. John will be laid to rest in Ft. Worth, Texas. The family will be receiving friends at Roper Funeral Home and Crematory, Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Georgia CASA at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E356224&id=16. Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.