Jack H. Shurling

Mr. Jack H. Shurling, of Old Savannah Road, Tennille, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, following an extended illness.  A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, December 8th at 2:00 p.m. at Piney Mount United Methodist Church, with burial in the church cemetery, with masonic rites. Reverend Gary Griffin and Reverend Mike Bankston will officiate.  Serving as pallbearers will be Jimmy Ray Smith, Wayne Layton, Jimmy Prince, Michael Dean Smith, Brian Powers, Mike Phillips, Eric Conner and Stuart Turner.

Jack Helton Shurling was born at home, in Tennille, Georgia on November 1, 1933, son of the late Butler and Neva Park Shurling.  He graduated from Tennille High School and began his working career at Deluxe Dry Cleaners in Tennille, a company he would later own and operate. Jack served his country for six years in the U.S. Army, serving in Korea and stateside in Maryland and Jeffersonville, Georgia. Following his service, Jack worked with Deluxe Dry Cleaners, in the Insurance Industry and with American Industrial Clay Company.  Later, he began a long career with the US Postal service, where he retired as the Tennille Postmaster. He treasured being on his farm, raising cattle, producing hay and fishing in his pond. Jack was an active member of Piney Mount United Methodist Church, where he and his wife Mary, served as Lay Delegates to annual conference for many years. He also served the church by singing in the choir, leading his church and the district United Methodist Men and formerly working with church youth.  Jack was very much involved in his community as a member and past president of both the Washington County Farm Bureau and the Tennille Rotary Club.  He was a member of the Tennille Masonic Lodge #256 F&AM, where he served as Chaplain. Jack was a volunteer fireman for the city of Tennille and later served as Fire Chief of the Ohoopee Volunteer Fire Department. He was passionate about helping others in need and volunteered his time weekly to the Christian Life Center food ministry.  In retirement, Jack was a funeral assistant with May and Smith Funeral Directors for over 25 years. In addition to his parents, Jack is predeceased by his grandson, Blake Shurling and siblings, Newell S. Thompson, Faye S. Rhodes and Amie S. Pearson.

Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Ethridge Shurling; children, Robert Shurling and his wife Gail of Surf Side Beach, SC., Jimmy Shurling and his wife Cheryl of Ludowici, Barry Shurling and his wife Renee of Tennille,GA and Dawn S. Mills and her husband Heath of Gray, GA; grandchildren, Jason Carter (Amy), Whitney Giavelli (Freddy), Jessica Shurling (Nathan), Michael Shurling (Lisa), Jonathan Shurling (Jessica), Ashley Dykes (Graham) and Austin Mills; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and twin sister, Jacquline S. Overman of Augusta.

The Shurling family will receive friends on Thursday, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville.

Donations may be made to the Blake Shurling Scholarship Fund at Brentwood School, P.O. Box 955 Sandersville, GA. 31082 or to Piney Mount UMC, P. O. Box 575, Sandersville GA.

Please leave an online condolence at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.