Irene Mckie Hartley

Irene McKie Hartley

Mrs. Irene McKie Hartley, age 95, of Naples, FL, formerly of Davisboro, GA, died on Friday, December 19, 2008. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of May and Smith Funeral Directors, Sandersville, GA. Visitation will be during the hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in the Davisboro City Cemetery. Rev. Jimmy Harris and Rev. Larry Glover will officiate. Pallbearers will be Brett Hartley, Willis Hartley, Eddie McKie, Greg Newsome, Robert Davis, Jr., and Andrew Keen.

Mrs. Hartley was born in Franklin County, GA, on June 30, 1913, the first of seven children born to the late Edgar Lee McKie and Carrie Gertrue Rich McKie. She attended Middle Georgia College in Cochran, GA and graduated from Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, GA. She met her husband, Clinton Hartley, at Middle Georgia College, and they married in Savannah, GA, on February 23, 1937. He predeceased her on April 23, 1989, after 52 years of marriage. Mrs. Hartley was predeceased by her son, Carroll Hartley, of Atlanta, GA, on May 15, 2007. She was also predeceased by her six siblings; Nora Lee McKie Davis, Ernest Calloway McKie, Thomas Oscar McKie, William Howard McKie, all of Abbeville, GA; Henry Edward McKie of Albemarle, NC; and infant sister Maggie Gertrue McKie.

Mrs. Hartley began her teaching career in 1943 and taught elementary school for more than 40 years in Riddleville, Davisboro and Sandersville to several generations of Washington County residents. She was a gifted teacher who loved every child she ever taught and innately knew how to bring out the best in each child. In 1969, she was the first teacher hired to teach at the then new Brentwood Academy. She retired in 1983 from Brentwood, but continued to substitute teach there for 2 more years. She was a member of Davisboro Baptist Church, where she was the oldest member of the congregation and the member with the longest membership of record. She moved to Florida in 2004 to be with her daughter and son-in-law. Her favorite pastimes included quilting and sewing, having even designed and sewn her daughter’s cherished wedding gown; but, her most beloved role was that of mother and homemaker.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Dennis Rogers of Naples, FL. Other survivors include a grandson, Brett Hartley (Kimberly), two great granddaughters, Devin and Cassidy, of Cumming, GA; a daughter-in-law, Ann Hartley, of Atlanta, GA; and many loving nieces and nephews.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, any memorial remembrances may be made to Brentwood School P.O. Box 955, Sandersville, GA. 31082, or to Davisboro Baptist Church, or to a charity of one’s choice.