John S. McElmurray

Retired GA Dept. of Agriculture and Farmer HEPHZIBAH, Ga. - Mr. John Schneider McElmurray, 89, died on Saturday evening, September 4, 2010. His death occurred peacefully at home, in the arms of Mary P. McElmurray, his loving wife of 64 years. Their mutual affection and their dedication to each other has been an inspiration to all who are privileged to call them "family." Mr. McElmurray was the last surviving member of a family of eight brothers and sisters. He was a 1943 graduate of The University of Georgia and a lifelong resident of Hephzibah, GA. A member of Hephzibah United Methodist Church, he served on the Board of Jefferson Electric for 53 years. In 2001 he was awarded "Georgia Distinguished Cooperator" by the Georgia Cooperative Council for his outstanding service in helping manage and promote rural electrification in Georgia. He served faithfully on the local board of the Georgia Farm Bureau for over 50 years. Mr. McElmurray, known as "Johnnie" to his family and friends, was a man whose life was enriched by friendships from every walk of life, every socioeconomic level and ethnicity. The unofficial historian of his large family, he expressed his love for others most comfortably in humor--and was known for his witty homespun accounts of family events. He was a man whose purpose was to befriend, engage and sustain others, with a consistent selflessness that never focused on material things. His warmth and his wisdom will endure-and fondly remembered every time his descendents recount his tales. Family members include his daughter Mary Margaret Bagwell (Don) of Cornelia GA; his son John S. McElmurray Jr. of Hephzibah GA; grandchildren Leigh Scroggs (Jake) of Athens GA, Sara McElmurray of Atlanta, and Henry McElmurray of Augusta. A service of remembrance and celebration will be held today,Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Thomas Poteet and Son, with Rev. T. G. Hall officiating. Interment will follow in Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be his nephews: Bob McElmurray, Henry McKie, Bill McKie, Bill West, Bob Matthews Jr., and Andy McElmurray. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Hephzibah United Methodist Church, PO Box 65, Hephzibah GA 30815. Heartfelt thanks is expressed to Hospice Care of America for their loving and skilled care during Mr. McElmurray's transition. Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com