Joe Alton Shirley

Joe Alton Shirley, 90 years old, of Lavonia, Georgia, went to be with His Heavenly Father on Sunday, December 7, 2014. He was born in Lavonia, Georgia on April 21, 1924, to the late John Ben and Annie Fay Dowis Shirley. Joe, as a member of the US Army, arrived in Normandy, France in June 1944 as a Light Tank Crewman attached to a Recon Unit. He was wounded and captured on August 2, 1944 and spent the remainder of the War as a POW. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon and a WWII Victory Ribbon. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Geneva T. Shirley; three sons and daughters-in-law: Russell Shirley of the home, Bobby and Debbie Shirley of Martin, GA, and Mark and Elizabeth Shirley of Greenville, SC, and Gail Shirley of Florence, SC; two brothers: Robert Shirley and Johnny Shirley of Lavonia, GA; one sister, Mary Ben and Carey Rice of Hartwell; 9 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son, Richard B. Shirley; brother, Fred Shirley; and granddaughter, Daune Shirley Higgins. A memorial service will be held at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2014, at the Lavonia Church of God. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Lavonia Church of God Building Fund, 107 Bear Creek Road, Lavonia, GA 30553 in memory of Joe Alton Shirley. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.berryfh.com. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is assisting the Shirley family.