Avis Sheppard Hartley

Mrs. Dora Avis Shepherd Hartley, 89, formerly of Lyons, Georgia passed away on April 18, 2015, at her daughter Linda’s home in Sylvania, GA. She was born in McIntyre, GA on March 5, 1926, to the late Moses and Dora Hardie Lavender Shepherd and was raised in Gordon, GA. The youngest of seven children, she graduated from Gordon High School and moved to Swainsboro, GA. It was in Swainsboro that she met her husband, A. L. Hartley, who preceded her in death, and where they raised their family for many years. Avis was an active member of the Swainsboro First Baptist Church and was head of bookkeeping at Citizens Bank.
A.L. and Avis moved to Lyons, GA in 1970, after A.L. started Robin Builders there. Always supportive of her husband, Avis considered her most important job was raising her five children. She encouraged them to excel in life, obtain a good education, live a life true to family values and contribute to their community. In addition, Avis was always active in her church wherever she lived, singing in the choir or leading Sunday School Classes. An avid reader, she was always engaged in new learning, including teaching herself all types of arts and crafts. Once the children were adults, she became an accomplished artist and writer. She sold her paintings at local arts festivals and stores and received commissions for paintings. She made personalized quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. She painted charming murals in the children’s nursery at the church and hand-painted greeting cards to be used in the church outreach ministry. She wrote a book recording the history of her family and another book about her experience as the caregiver of A.L., who developed Alzheimer’s disease in his later years. She was a founding member of the Oaks Baptist Church in Lyons and later moved her membership to Double Heads Baptist Church in Sylvania.
She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Carlton and Linda Hartley Robbins of Sylvania, Jim Costlow and Dr. Leila Hartley of Atlanta, David Hartley and Catherine Brulet of Atlanta, Lewis and Kathy Harris Hartley of Babson Park, FL, and Wayne and Cindy Cheshire of Lyons, 9 Grandchildren, 11 Great-Grandchildren; as well as many Nieces and Nephews.
The funeral will be held at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, News Bridge Road, Tennille, GA, Monday, April 20, 2015, at 11:00 A.M. officiated by the Rev. Terry B. Joyner, pastor of Double Heads Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be at the church from 10:30 A.M. Monday until the funeral hour.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Double Heads Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Jan Gay, 201 Dogwood Drive, Sylvania, GA 30467 or to the charity of your choice.
Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home of Sylvania is in charge of all arrangements. (www.thompsonstricklandwaters.com)
This is a courtesy announcement of May and Smith Funeral Directors of Sandersville.