Judith Ann Gurley Stevens, 69, of Hartwell GA, entered Heaven peacefully on Friday, December 23, 2016.
She was the daughter of the late Audron Shields and Lula Mae (Stone) Gurley of Bowersville, Ga. Born on February 19, 1947, Judy attended Air Line Elementary School and graduated in 1965 from Hart County High School as a member of the greatest class ever known to graduate from Hart County High School. She attended Georgia State University and graduated from Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing in September of 1968.
Judy worked as a Registered Nurse for Piedmont Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Atlanta and then worked for Drs. Florence, Scott and Rodriquez at Georgia Baptist Hospital for 6 years. She retired from nursing at Northside Hospital in Atlanta after 20 years in 1992. She moved home to be with her mother and returned to working as a nurse with St. Mary's Healthcare Systems in their Home Health/Hospice services and retired from there after another 16 years of nursing duty and was known as the church nurse for Cross Roads Baptist Church where she was always ready to explain and help members or friends with problems, questions and information on medical problems or treatment. She did the same for most of her family members also. Judy never tired of nursing and staying up to date on medicine. Judy said her greatest joy was being able to provide nursing care to her father, mother and 3 brothers and also 2 of her best friends as their lives were taken by cancer and heart problems.She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by parents, grandparents, and brothers, Jack, Jim and Jeff Gurley.
She was an active member of Cross Roads Baptist Church where she served as church clerk, Encouragers Sunday School Class teacher, president of the Sunshine Club, Chairman of the Missions/WMU Ministry and Prayer Warrior Ministry chairman. She also served on Special Needs Committee, Benevolence Committee, Library/History Committee, and Nominating Committee. She was one of the group of chairpersons for the SOLOS Club that met monthly at the Hartwell Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall for meals and programs.
Judy is survived by 3 nephews: Mike and Debbie Gurley of Hartwell; Jim Gurley, Jr. of Commerce, GA and Josh and Ashley Gurley of Perry, GA. She also leaves behind grandnieces and grandnephews and many cousins.
Judy had many obstacles thrown in her path in life from polio which left her paralyzed for a year in 1950 to denials from nursing schools due to her history of polio even when she had a full scholarship and a 95 grade average for all her school years. Piedmont took the chance on her to prove her ability and determination and as one close doctor friend said she should have gone on to medical school because she eats, breathes and lives medicine and nursing and caring for people.She proved her abilities many times over even after being confined to a wheelchair the last few years due to spinal cord damage from broken vertebra. She lived to prove her independence and determination to be free of hindrances which face many with handicaps. She had a vast range of friends everywhere to whom she was loyal.
Judy also loved Her Savior, Jesus Christ and tried to live as He instructed in His Word and had an unshakeable and strong Faith and Trust and Obedience to God once she accepted Him. She was ready to go and see Him and her family especially her brother Jeffery and grandmother, Ma (Lou) Gurley whom she resembled and manifested her characteristics all her life, Judy has a second love and one might say an addiction to NASCAR racing and was a dyed to the bone and fanatic fan and follower of her "adopted son", Dale Earnhardt, Jr. She proudly sported his number, #88 and name on her van and her power wheelchair. If angels come back to earth she will be riding in Jr.'s car!
A memorial service celebrating Judy's life will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Rev. Sean Payne officiating. Judy wished to be cremated after her memorial service.
The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.The family is at their respective homes. Flowers optional and any memorials may be made to Cross Roads Baptist Church Family Life Center, 3636 Lavonia highway, Hartwell, Ga. 30643.
The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.