Douglas Byrd Ivie, age 83, of Clarkesville, passed away Thursday, June 29, 2023, at his residence.
Born in Tiger, Georgia, on October 18, 1939, Doug was the son of the late James Prior Ivie and Ruby Carnes Ivie. He was the last member of his immediate family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Strahan Ivie (Geneva) and Paul Ivie and sister Betty Harrington (Bob). Doug and his family liked to travel to the beach and to singing conventions. He graduated from Rabun County High School and attended Southern Tech for a short time. He went into the United States Army in 1963 and served two years at Fort Hood, Texas. When he returned to Georgia, he went to work for the Georgia Department of Transportation and retired in 1990. After retirement, Doug started teaching in singing schools around North Georgia for a few years. In 1981 he was a charter member of the NGA School of Gospel Music, and he then became Vice President of the Executive Board and later the school board for over 30 years. Doug was president of the Rabun County Singing Convention and became president of the Habersham Singing Convention in 1986, a position he held until his death. Doug was a very active member and deacon at Glade Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Donna McCall Ivie of Clarkesville, son Peyton D. Ivie of Clarkesville, and sister-in-law Marnell Ivie, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, July 2, 2023, at Hillside Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Larry Free and Rev. Michael Justus officiating. Interment will follow the service at Yonah Memorial Gardens with full military honors by the Grant Reeves Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, July 1, 2023, from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM.
An online guest book is available for the family at www.hillsidememorialchapel.com.
Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256
