Charles Lewis Shurbutt

Charles Lewis Shurbutt, age 93, of Elberton, Georgia, died on Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Hayesville, North Carolina. Lewis was born on January 12, 1929 in the Ben Hill Community in Fulton County, Georgia to William Gordon Shurbutt and Agnes Powell Shurbutt. He attended Russell High School and Georgia Military College. He was a 1949 graduate of Young Harris College, and graduated from Emory University Candler School of Theology where he received his BA and BD degrees. While at Emory, he met the love of his life, Helen Christian and the two wed in 1952. Lewis served as pastor of Methodist churches in the Georgia and Virginia conferences before coming to Elberton, Helen's hometown, in 1958.

Lewis served as news editor of The Elberton Star (owned/managed by his father-in-law, G.T. Christian) from 1958 until 1970. For 20 years, he was owner/manager of Elberton Broadcasting Company (WSGC 1400) and during that time was the play-by- play voice of the Elberton Blue Devil football and basketball teams, as well as little league announcer. Lewis rounded out his professional career as Vice President for First National Bank in Elberton. He continued to serve on the Board of Directors for FNB/Pinnacle Bank following his retirement.

Under the governorship of Georgia Governor Zell Miller, Lewis was appointed to the State Board of Education, where he served on the Williams Commission to Study Effectiveness and Economy in State Government. He also served on the State Commission on Tourism and Trade. After his retirement, he worked as a consultant with small Georgia cities to evaluate and recommend infrastructure improvements.

Lewis loved Elberton with all his heart and was active in community service, serving as President of the Elberton Chamber of Commerce (where he was twice the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award), President of the Elberton Rotary Club, publicity agent for Elbert County Little League and numerous other capacities. He taught Sunday School for many years at Elberton First United Methodist Church. He was a mentor to so many throughout his life and a friend to all.

Lewis loved life and lived it to the fullest, enjoying traveling, golf and ballroom dancing with his beloved wife, Helen.

Lewis was preceded in death by his wife of almost 70 years, Helen, who passed in January 2022. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Jim Shurbutt; and sister, Jean Harper.

Survivors include his daughter, Jan Shurbutt Freeman (Sanford) of Hayesville, NC; granddaughters: Laura Adams (Chris) and Jessica Patton (John); great-granddaughter, Charlotte Patton and soon-to-arrive great-grandson and namesake, Charles Emory Patton; and brothers: Bob Shurbutt (Donna) and Ray Shurbutt (Sylvia). He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for the wonderful caregivers Lewis and Helen had over the past several years, especially Freddie Jones, Ella Bolton and Val Bradley.

A crpytside service celebrating the lives of Lewis and Helen will be held on Saturday, November 19, at 11 o'clock at Elmhurst Cemetery with the Rev. Jim McCollough officiating. His final resting place will be in the Christian-Shurbutt Mausoleum at Elmhurst Cemetery in Elberton. Memorials may be made to your favorite charity.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Charles Lewis Shurbutt.