Shirley Guest Johnson

Shirley Guest Johnson, age 75, passed away Friday morning while she was surrounded by her loving and devoted family.

She was born in Elberton to the late Malcolm Guest and Evelyn Fleming Guest.  

Shirley loved people and was always finding ways to serve others. She enjoyed putting gift baskets together for the holidays, especially Easter when she would gift her loved ones with ceramic bunnies.  The Elbert community looked forward to receiving special gifts and handwritten cards from her.  

Shirley loved to collect many trinkets through the years, especially ceramic angels.  She shared her love of collecting with her family by gifting the Hallmark Growing Up Birthday Figurines to them.  Shirley had a compassionate spirit and she exuded the love of Christ.  

Loving to travel, Shirley was always looking forward to riding through the mountains or sitting on the beach.  She loved her family and she loved life.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband James “Jimmy” Johnson; brother, Wayne “PeeWee” Guest; and sister, Deryl Alewine.

Left to continue her legacy of her love for others are her two children, Greg Johnson (Karen) and Kim Rice (Travis); three sisters, Joan Wilson, Donna Lilies, and Lisa Gunter (Glenn); and sister in law, Mary Guest.  She was the loving and steadfast Nana to her four grandchildren, Kayla Rice Hudson(Chris), Brooke Rice Shepherd (David), Conner Johnson Taylor (Jared), and Abby Johnson (Jayme); four great grandchildren, Jackson Hudson, Matt Hudson, Sadie Rae Hudson, and Brice Shepherd; two grand dogs, Grady and Emmy; her nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own; and the many children in this community for whom she cared for and loved as a childcare provider.  

The family will receive friends from 5-8:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.

A celebration of Shirley's life and love for others will take place at 2:00 P.M., Monday, January 16, 2023 at Rock Branch Baptist Church with Pastor Kevin Vaughn officiating.  Interment will follow in Elmhurst Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Jimmy Johnson Endowment Fund in care of the Elbert Memorial Hospital Foundation; Rock Branch Baptist Church; or to the organization of one's choice. 

Arrangements for Shirley Guest Johnson are in the care of Hicks Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Elberton.