Georgia Lynn Defee

Georgia Lynn Defee passed from this earth May 26, 2017. She was born on Dec. 29, 1919 in Grand Saline, Texas to David Shelby and Georgia Pinina Phillips. As a child, she grew up living a simple, uncluttered life with her parents and three older siblings. Love was a strong connection in this Phillips family on 110 West Wolfe, one half block from the high school.

In her senior year Georgia, a popular student, was chosen to be Editor and Chief of the Tomahawk News Paper and also served as one of the school's four cheerleaders. Because Georgia loved the color pink, her friends often called her "Pinky". After graduation, she attended North Texas State Teacher's College for three years. But before that final year arrived, she fell in love and married William Jasper Defee on Aug. 17, 1940.

Carlisle High School in Price, TX. was their first stopping place as a married couple. After two years there, WWII controlled her travels as a wife. When the war ended in 1945, they returned to Carlisle, then Carthage, and finally Amarillo, TX. Here Georgia took care of one husband and two sons for forty years; this family was her life.

Known for her gentle spirit, Georgia was very involved in church activities: attending the First United Methodist Church in her youth in Grand Saline; and the First Christian Church in Amarillo. In 1989 the couple returned to Grand Saline to help care for her sister.

Continually, Georgia served as a trusted friend, fun loving companion, and devoted wife and mother. She also helped her husband when he worked as a salesman for Herff Jones, providing rings and graduation supplies to schools across the Panhandle.

Georgia was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings: David Shelby Jr., Joe Marie, Clifford Earl, and daughter-in-law Celia Defee. Her survivors include two sons: William Charles of Stillwater, Ok. and Charles Clifford of Auburn, Al; their wives Jane and Joi; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be sent to the charity of your choice.

The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Bartley Funeral Home, Grand Saline.

Memorial Services will be 2 p.m., Friday, June 2, 2017, at First United Methodist Church, Grand Saline, TX.

Burial will follow at Woodside Cemetery.