Clyde Earl Gurley

Clyde Earl Gurley of Pearson, Ga., age 66, passed away June 10th, 2017 at St. Vincent’s Riverside hospital in Jacksonville, Fl. He passed quietly while being surrounded by his family following a brief illness.   Clyde is the son of the late Clyde and Fannie P. Gurley of Pearson, Ga. He was born March 9th, 1951 at home in Axson, Ga. He was the 12th child out of their 13 children. He was preceded in death by his parents Clyde Edward and Fannie Pearson Gurley and his siblings: Jim Gurley, Lloyd Gurley, Frances May, Mary Ellen Wilcox, and Reba Faye Gurley.   Clyde’s living siblings include: Marion and Jane Gurley of Yulee, Fl, Odessa and Clifford Taft of Pearson, Ga, Catherine and Quillian Taft of Pearson, GA, Clovis Gurley of Axson, Ga, Curtis and Betty Gurley of Millwood, GA, John Henry and Betty Gurley of Chula, Ga, Callie and Al Williams of Pearson, Ga. Two sisters-in-law: Judy Gurley and Elmarie and Wade Vickers of Douglas, Ga.   He married his high school sweetheart, Jerrie Jeffords-Gurley. They had two children: Kaye Gurley Watson and Craig Gurley, whose wife is Melissa Royals Gurley. Collectively he had eight grandchildren: Rachel and Brandon Watson, Ashley Gurley, Emily Walker, Tara Gurley, Kaci Gurley, Matthew and Alyssa Rowell. He had three great-grandchildren: Kaiden Watson, Easton Tullis, and Karson Cribb. Mr. Gurley was an Ironworker with Armco Steel. He also worked as a leadsman at Georgia Pacific, yard jockey at Dollar General, and a truck driver for Shepherd Brothers and Burgundy Timber.             Mr. Clyde loved his wife of 45 years and his children. One of his greatest blessings was to be called “Papa” by his grandchildren. He enjoyed planting his garden every year; sometimes he even had to plant it more than once! Another admiration of Mr. Clyde’s was having Sunday dinner after church with his family. He was a member and a deacon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, ultimately where he was raised. He loved his church and his church family.   Funeral services for Mr. Gurley were held Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Jack Chaney and Mr. Donnie Giddens officiating. Special music included “In the Garden” and “The Old Rugged Cross” rendered by soloist, Jerred Jeffords (Guitar). Soft music for the prelude and postlude was played by Jerred Jeffords, guitarist. The interment followed in the Mt. Zion Church Cemetery.   Serving as active pallbearers were: Randy Taft, Bruce Corbitt, David Royals, J.R. Rogers, Alan Jeffords, and B.J. Clement.   In memory of Mr. Clyde, the family requests a donation be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church.   Relihan Funeral Home in Pearson, Ga. was in charge of the arrangements.