Joseph Earl Shirley

Funeral services for Joseph Earl Shirley, age 81, of Clarkesville will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2010, at 2:00 PM from the Hillside Memorial Chapel. Rev. Austin Ivester will officiate with burial to follow the service in Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Shirley passed away May 31, 2010 at The Oaks at Scenic View.

Born in Dekalb County on October 8, 1928, Mr. Shirley was the son of the late Aaron David and Rosa Pearl Moore Shirley. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Mr. Shirley was a U.S. Army Veteran having served during the Korean War. He had 34 years of service with Georgia Power where he worked at the North Georgia Hydro Plant. In addition to his parents Mr. Shirley is preceded in death by a brother A.D. Shirley and grandson Kevin McDonald.

Survivors include his wife Lorraine Frye Shirley of Clarkesville, daughter and son in law Karole and Mitchell McDonald of Dahlonega, daughter Wanda Beasley of Athens, sons and daughters in law Larry and Janice Shirley of Baldwin and David and Annette Shirley of Turnerville, sisters and brothers in law Merle and Thad Aycock of Northbrook, Illinois and Mildred and Roy Burdette of Hogansville, sister in law Louise Shirley of Clarkesville, and grandchildren Ethan and Sierra Shirley, Brittany and Olivia McDonald, and Melissa Menidola.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home, 5495 Highway 197 South, Clarkesville, on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, from 6-8 PM.

Those wishing may send condolences to the family by visiting www.hillsidememorialchapel.com.

Funeral arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256.