Mary Sosby Gurley

Mrs. Mary Edna Sosby Gurley, 88, of Bowersville, GA, passed away at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital surrounded by her family, and entered Heaven on Saturday, October 1, 2022.
Born on May 15, 1934 in Carnesville, GA, she was a daughter of the late Private (PVT) Rufus Reeves Sosby, U.S. Army veteran of World War I, and Susie Irene Davis Sosby. Mary began her journey to Heaven at age 14 when by faith she came to Jesus Christ, trusting Him as her Savior.
Mrs. Gurley worked as a Seamstress for Carwood Sewing Plant in Lavonia, GA, for 15 years. She also worked as an Automotive Assembler for Monroe/Tenneco Automotive in Hartwell, GA, for 30 years before retiring in 1996 in order to care for her husband and her mother. She was a member of the Cross Roads Baptist Church of Hartwell, GA, where she was a member of the Mattie Ruth Brown Sunday School class, the Sunshine Seniors fellowship group, and (with her best friend Wilma Yeargin) the Outreach Ministry team, delivering sermon videos each week to the homebound. She also faithfully attended the Persian Gulf War family support group hosted by First Baptist Church of Hartwell, GA.
Survivors include her son: Captain (CPT) Richard H. Gurley, U.S. Army veteran of the Persian Gulf War, of Bowersville; daughter: Debbie Gurley Kelley of Bowersville; and son-in-law: David L. Kelley, Sr., of Bowersville. Mrs. Gurley is preceded in death by her parents; husband: Technician Fifth Grade (TEC 5) James H. "Johnnie" Gurley, U.S. Army veteran of World War II; brother: Technical Sergeant (TSgt) James Sosby, U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War; sister: Sara Prather Crooks; two sisters-in-law: Shirley Green and Helen Terry; one brother-in-law: Joe Gurley; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell. Other times the family will be at 68 Gurley Road, Bowersville, GA.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Edna Sosby Gurley will be held Sunday, October 9, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at the Cross Roads Baptist Church with Rev. Sean Payne, Rev. Ben Coleman, Rev. David A. Wilson, and Mr. Fred Greenway officiating. Pallbearers will be Stevie A. Cook, Dennis Cobb, Sr., Edwin Gurley, Mark Cordell, Mike Yeargin, and David Brooks. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Strickland, Bobby Jackson, Randall Graham, and Abe Elgazar. Special attendees will include members of the Mattie Ruth Brown Sunday School class and members of the Sunshine Seniors fellowship group of the Cross Roads Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery.
Flowers are optional. Memorials may be made to the Cross Roads Baptist Church Family Life Center, 3636 Lavonia Hwy, Hartwell, GA 30643.
The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements. On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.