James Andrew Shirley, age 96 of Cornelia, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2020.
Born in Alto, Georgia on March 10, 1923, to the late James Andrew Shirley & Lucy Blackburn Shirley Bullard. Mr. Shirley served his country proudly in the United States Navy during WWII. He was a member, former deacon and church clerk of B.C. Grant Baptist Church and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Shirley was a retired electrician from Chicopee Mfg. and Ethicon. He was an avid Atlanta Braves fan, enjoyed road trips across the United States, spending time with his family and his 1949 Ford Nellie Bell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eloise Cochran Shirley; brothers, Amos Shirley, Dennis Shirley, Bill Bullard, and Joe Dean Bullard.
Surviving are his sons and daughter-in-law, J. Michael & Donna Dill Shirley of Cornelia and Jeff Shirley of Cornelia; grandchildren and spouses, Marisa & Stan Whittington, Rachelle & Ricky Woodruff; great-grandchildren, Maley Whittington, Zeke Whittington, Riya Woodruff, Ryte Woodruff, and Rennon Woodruff; brother, Harold Bullard of Lyman, South Carolina; numerous nieces and nephews; his beloved caregivers, Laverne Cook, Amber Gragg Cook, Debbie Wagoner, Sharon Snyder Dekle, and Joy Baker; hospice nurses and social worker, Gwen Wood, Heather Lawrence, and Rhonda Moore Smith.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 pm, Sunday, February 16, 2020, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin and Stewart with Rev. Daniel Parker and Rev. Raymond Payne officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens with full military honors provided by the United States Navy, Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720, American Legion Post #84, and the DAV Chapter #15.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Saturday at the funeral home and from 1 pm until the service hour on Sunday at the funeral home.
Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to B.C. Grant Baptist Church, 1405 BC Grant Road, Alto, GA 30510 or the Veterans Wall of Honor, PO Box 298, Demorest, GA 30535.
The gentleman honored as pallbearers are David Williams, Ricky Woodruff, Stan Whittington, Ryte Woodruff and Zeke Whittington.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.
