Shirley Gayton

Shirley Gayton, 87, of Dawsonville passed away Monday, May 15, 2023 following a period of declining health.

Born December 9, 1935 in Forsyth County to the late Guy and Florence Tinsley, she lived most of her life in Dawson County.  A homemaker at her death, she retired from the Dawson County Day Care Center following 25 years of service.  She enjoyed sitting outside in the sun, reading, and loved having fun and playing jokes.  Shirley was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  A member of Crossroads Baptist Church, she was also preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Horace Gayton; granddaughter, Amy Fields; sisters, Ruby Whitmire, Voncile Lee; and Brothers, Lane Tinsley, Major Tinsley.

Surviving are her daughters and sons in law, Debbie Smith and Tim Holtzclaw, Gainesville, Jannie and Lance Brown, Dawsonville, Lynn and Eddie Frith, Seale, AL, Rita and Carey Chappel, Dawsonville; grandchildren, Kristie and David Bearden, Brandon and Hillary Mullinax, Katie and Sanford Anthony, Joseph and Brittany Fields, Heather and Robert Young, Beth and Paul Barron; great grandchildren, Devin Bearden, Sawyer Bearden, Ava Polman, Jace Polman, Hudson Barron, Lee Hand, Hadley Barron, Walker Mullinax, Max Ingram, Sam Ingram, Terrance Hand, Jaden Fields; brother, Hugh Tinsely, Cumming; and a number of other relatives.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 2 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel.  Rev. Garry English and Rev. Donnie Nix will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2 until 8 and Thursday from10 until 2 at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.