Fred Shirley

Fred Shirley, 81, of Royston, died Monday, August 4, 2008, following a brief battle with cancer.

Born in Black Mountain, N.C., on November 6, 1926, he was the son of the late John Ben and Annie Fay Dowis Shirley. Mr. Shirley was preceded in death by his wife, Dixie Mae McLane Shirley; infant daughter, Marcie Fay Shirley; an aunt, Katherine Shirley Webb; paternal grandmother, Minnie Aderholt Shirley; and step-mother, Lorene Tucker Shirley. He was a car salesman by trade, and worked for almost 40 years in the employ of Royston Ford, Bob Meredith Chevrolet, Henry Ray Ford, Claude Ray Ford and Bob Watkins Chevrolet/Oldsmobile. He was a member of Bowersville Baptist Church.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Marsha and Jeff Dickerson, Bowman; sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Teresa Shirley, Bowersville, Dana and Karen Shirley, Hartwell, Alan and Kim Shirley, Canon, and Henry and Julie Shirley, Elberton; grandsons, Ethan Shirley and Josh Dickerson; sister, Mary Ben Shirley Rice, Hartwell; brothers, Joe Alton Shirley, Robert Shirley, and John Shirley, all of Lavonia; special cousin, Shirley Webb Jones, Hartwell; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 7, at 11 a.m. at the Bowersville Baptist Church with the Rev. Connie Ivester and Dr. Wade Bridges officiating. Burial will be in Bowersville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, August 6, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Bowersville Baptist Church, P.O. Box 26, Bowersville, Ga. 30516.

Pruitt Funeral Home, Royston, is in charge of arrangements.