Shannon Garland Alley

On October 22, 2021 the most beautiful chapter of the Alley family came to a close when our beloved mother passed from this life to the next. Though she died at the home of her daughter, Lisa, in Senoia Georgia, we imagine she made her way to the heavens through God’s country via Tiger Mountain and those jewel-toned fall leaves she adored so much. Shannon, who was born on September 20, 1939 was kind to all, even in sickness, where she continued to be a light to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Shannon was preceded in death by her parents, Raleigh and Nora Garland of Clayton; by her husband, Jack Bell Alley; her son David Ellis Alley; her granddaughter Katie Alley; her great-grandson Isaiah Alley; her brothers Roy, Allen and Wayne Garland; and her sisters, Lillian Hunter and Winnie Ledford.

Shannon is survived by her son Jack Bell Alley Jr. (Chip) (Jane); daughters, Lisa Diane Sowell (Neil), Patricia Lynn Hickox (Rod) and Shannon Elizabeth Alley; her sister, Laney Brown; her thirteen grandchildren, Jarrad Alley, Jessica Alley, Nicole Bearden, Joshua Alley, Waylon Buchannan, Chelsea Blankinship, Shannon Fortner, Nadia Granger, Bree Hickox, Tucker Hickox, Hannah Hickox, Cydney L’Hoste and Alley Mejia; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Shannon graduated from Rabun County High School. She married Jack Alley in 1957 and they made their home in Tiger. Shannon was first and foremost a wonderful wife and mother. She helped facilitate the Head Start program in Rabun County under the leadership of Jo Dotson. She was a member of Tiger Baptist Church, where she helped with the women’s ministry, was a part of the WMU, sang in the choir, and helped with Vacation Bible School among many other roles throughout the years. As Shannon began to explore her talent for writing and poetry, she became a columnist for The Clayton Tribune and was Rabun County’s unofficial “Poet Laureate.” She was recognized by The Poetry Society of America in 1998 where she traveled to Washington, D.C. to be honored for a poem she wrote that was published by that organization.  Shannon always felt honored to be asked to write a poem for someone or for a special event and did so for many in Rabun County. She also read her poems for retreats and special programs at Covecrest Retreat Center in Tiger. In 2018, Shannon published her poems in a book, Time Stands Still in Tiger. Her book is filled with humor and reflections of the small-town life and the people in that life she loved so much.

Shannon was also known for her delicious homemade cakes, but mostly she was known for her kind and loving spirit. Her selflessness began by putting others first her whole life and by being a rock for her family and friends. She was a great example of grace, kindness, honesty and strength. She was a mother and friend to all who knew her. Her memory will live on in all of us.

The family will receive friends on Saturday October 30, 2021 at the Tiger Baptist Church from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday October 30, 2021 at 2:00pm at the Tiger Baptist Church in Tiger, Georgia.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Shannon's memory to The Tiger Baptist Church.