Georgia McCleskey, 96, of Florence passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018 at her home with her family at her bedside.
Georgia was born May 2, 1921 in Hodges, AL. She graduated from Hamilton High School in Hamilton, AL. She married Duren “Tootie” McCleskey in 1946. They moved toFlorence the following year to attend school at Florence State Teachers College (UNA) on the GI bill.
Granny, as she was affectionally known, never met a stranger and gave hugs freely to one and all. Her favorite time of the year was spring and summer when she could spend time outside with her flowers and in the garden. We spent numerous summers canning or freezing the vegetables she had grown.
She thought the sun rose and set with her grandchildren. Her heart was truly made of gold always looking for ways to help others even after her eyesight began to limit some of her activities.
She was a faithful member of Central Baptist Church in Florence which she attended as long as her health allowed. She was honored at church in May of 1997 by being selected “Mother of the Year”. She called this award one of the high points in her life.
Georgia was preceded in death by her parents Clint & Carrie Lawler, husband Duren “Tootie” McCleskey, brother: Pete Lawler, sisters/brothers-in-law: F.E. (Freeman) Brumley, Tag (Colen) Skinner, Teed (Van) Penton, Peggy (Clyde) Palmer, Jean (Casey) Jones, Marley (Oscar) Vickery, Faye (Jerrel) Brumley, Chasteen Barksdale, and Lee Ramsey.
She is survived by her daughters, Shelia & Ed Smith, Patty & Ronnie Liles; grandchildren, Amanda & Lee Wood, Jennifer & Matt Creel, and Georgia Smith; step-grandchildren, Traci & Dale Thornton and Doug & Melinda Smith; step great grandchildren, Lauren & Drew Duffey,and Seth Thornton; sisters/brothers-in-law, Maron (Gene) Frederick, Wanda(Larry) Yancey, and Judy Barksdale; Also a host of nieces and nephews
Special thanks to; Hospice of the Tennessee Valley for all their assistance and concern, especially RNs Jennifer Brown and Camilla Toney; Social Worker, Amy; Dr. Flexis Morris,Dr. A.E. Joiner, and Dr. David Bachofer, for treating Granny like the queen she was.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at Elkins Funeral Home from 11:00A.M.-1:00 P.M. A service will follow at 1:00 P.M. Officiating will be Brother Bill Harper. Burial will be at Tri-Cities Memorial gardens.
The family would like to request no flowers and instead to consider a donation in her memory to Central Baptist Church in Florence, 1600 Huntsville Rd, Florence, AL 35630;Hospice of the Tennessee Valley, 115 Helton Court
Florence AL 35630; or Kruzn for a Kure Foundation, P.O. Box 2752 Muscle Shoals ,Alabama.
Elkins Funeral Home invites you to leave your condolences at www.elkinsfuneralhome.com
