Conny H. Shirley

Conny H. Shirley, age 85, of Clarkesville, Georgia, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016.

Mr. Shirley was born on April 18, 1931 in Rabun County, Georgia to the late Milford and Loma Taylor Shirley. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Jordan Shirley; and son, Anthony Lee Shirley.  Mr. Shirley was a Graduate of Piedmont College and Western Carolina University. Mr. Shirley began his career serving as a teacher, counselor, and principal in the Rabun County School System. Afterward, he served as the Dean of Students and later Vice-President of Student Affairs at North Georgia Technical College for over 25 years. Mr. Shirley also served on the Board for State Accreditation for Technical Colleges of the Southeast Region. He also set up all Head Start Programs in the 9th District. Additionally, Mr. Shirley served as DJ on WCON for 7 years. He was a veteran of The United States Army having served in The Korean Conflict. Mr. Shirley was a member of Bethel Baptist  Church. He was also a member of the Clarkesville Lions Club, having held every office; and also having received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a Lions Club Member. Mr. Shirley also served as a Lions Club District Governor from 1982 to 1983. He also served as a Director of Georgia Lions Lighthouse. Mr. Shirley was also a member of the Joseph Habersham Chapter Sons of the American Revolution.

Survivors include his loving wife of 36 years, Beverly Lovell Fry Shirley, of Clarkesville; daughter and son-in-law, Tammy Shirley and David Vashakidze, of Suwanee; daughter, Amanda Jill Fry, of Clarkesville; sons and daughters-in-law, Tim and Teresa Shirley, of Clarkesville; Robert and Lisa Fry, of Garden City, MI; son, Danny L. Fry, of Clarkesville; daughter-in-law, Kim Couch, of Mt. Airy; 11 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. He was the last of his immediate family.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2016 at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel with Pastor Mike Cochran and Rev. Grady Waldon officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Tiger, Georgia with military honors provided by The United States Army.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2016 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Shirley’s Memory to North Georgia Technical College Foundation, P.O. Box 69, Clarkesville, Georgia 30523.

Arrangements are in care of Whitfield Funeral Home & Crematory, North Chapel, 245 Central Ave., Demorest, Georgia 706-778-1700

Those wishing to express online condolences to the family may do so by visiting our website atwww.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.