Mrs. Mary Edna Sosby Gurley, 88, of Bowersville, GA, and beloved wife of Technician Fifth Grade (TEC 5) James H. "Johnnie" Gurley, U.S. Army veteran of World War II, passed away at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital surrounded by her family, and entered Heaven on Saturday, October 1, 2022.

Born on May 15, 1934, in Carnesville, GA, she was a daughter of the late Private (PVT) Rufus Reeves Sosby, U.S. Army veteran of World War I, and Mrs. Susie Irene Davis Sosby.  Mary began her journey to Heaven at age 14 when by faith she came to Jesus Christ, trusting Him as her Savior.  She married the love of her life, James H. "Johnnie" Gurley, on November 17, 1951, and they shared 47 wonderful years together until he entered Heaven in 1999.  Usually when one would see "Johnnie", Mary would be faithfully at his side.

Mrs. Gurley worked as a Seamstress for Carwood Sewing Plant in Lavonia, GA, for 15 years.  She also worked as an Automotive Assembler for Monroe/Tenneco Automotive in Hartwell, GA, for 30 years before retiring in 1996 to care for her husband and her mother.  She was a faithful member of the Cross Roads Baptist Church of Hartwell, GA, where she was a member of the Mattie Ruth Brown Sunday School class; the Sunshine Seniors fellowship group; and the Outreach Ministry team, as she and her best friend Wilma Yeargin delivered sermon videos and church bulletins to the homebound each week.  Mary loved and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends; farming (beef cattle) and gardening with her beloved "Johnnie"; helping others; cooking; sewing; fishing; hummingbirds; cats; solving word-search puzzles; sightseeing; family vacations to the mountains and the beach; and church day trips.  She also faithfully attended the Persian Gulf War (Desert Shield, Desert Storm) family support group hosted by the First Baptist Church of Hartwell, GA.

Survivors include her son:  Captain (CPT) Richard H. Gurley, U.S. Army veteran of the Persian Gulf War, of Bowersville; daughter:  Debbie Gurley Kelley of Bowersville; and son-in-law:  David L. Kelley, Sr., of Bowersville; sisters-in-law:  Sara Gurley, Shirley Green, and Helen Terry; brother-in-law:  Joe Gurley; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Gurley is preceded in death by her parents; husband:  Technician Fifth Grade (TEC 5) James H. "Johnnie" Gurley, U.S. Army veteran of World War II; father-in-law and mother-in-law:  Linton Lee Gurley, U.S. Army veteran of World War I, and Madge Porter Whitworth Gurley; sister:  Sara Prather Crooks (Tommy); brother:  Technical Sergeant (TSgt) James Sosby (Edith), U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War; sisters-in-law Kathleen Wells (Luther), Leon Thomason (Robert "Buddy"), Betty Duncan (Calvin), and Ann Gurley; and brothers-in-law Frank Gurley, Dwain Gurley (Leighton), Alvin "Buster" Gurley (Juanita), Roy "Paul" Terry, and Bob Gurley (special friend Nora Powell).

The family will receive friends Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell.  Other times the family will be at 68 Gurley Road, Bowersville, GA.

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Edna Sosby Gurley will be held Sunday, October 9, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at the Cross Roads Baptist Church with Rev. Sean Payne, Rev. Ben Coleman, Rev. David A. Wilson, and Mr. Fred Greenway officiating.  Pallbearers will be Stevie A. Cook, Dennis Cobb, Sr., Edwin Gurley, Mark Cordell, Mike Yeargin, and David Brooks.  Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Strickland, Bobby Jackson, Randall Graham, and Abe Elgazar.  Special attendees will include members of the Mattie Ruth Brown Sunday School class and the Sunshine Seniors fellowship group of the Cross Roads Baptist Church; former employees of Carwood Sewing Plant; and former employees of Monroe/Tenneco Automotive.  Burial will be in the Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery.

Flowers are optional.  Memorials may be made in memory of Mrs. Gurley to the Cross Roads Baptist Church Family Life Center, 3636 Lavonia Hwy., Hartwell, GA  30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.