COMMERCE – Stonewall Jackson Shirley, Jr., DVM, 83, died Monday, April 6, 2015. at Northridge Medical Center.
Dr. Shirley was born in Douglas, Ga.. on April 9, 1931, the son of the late Stonewall Jackson Shirley, Sr. and Anna Deane Bridges Shirley.
Dr. Shirley loved sports and excelled in his studies throughout high school. He served as the class president all four years of high school. After high school, Dr. Shirley attended the University of Georgia and later the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. During his time at UGA he was a member of the X Club, Alpha Zeta, Aghon and Gridiron Honor Societies. He was also the vice president of the UGA student council. In 1950, while attending UGA, he met Genevieve (Genny) Aspinwall, and they later married on July 12, 1953. Dr. Shirley graduated from the vet school in June of 1954 and he and Genny moved to Commerce.
Upon their arrival in Commerce, Dr. Shirley opened Commerce Veterinary Hospital and began building his practice. He was active in the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, served on several state committees, and as president of the North Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. They joined First Baptist Church of Commerce and he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, chairman of the deacon board and president of the Jolly Agers. In 1958 Dr. Shirley bought a mobile feed mill and started his feed business. His truck went to farms and ground and mixed the farmers’ feed. As farmers stopped growing their own grain and the trucks started wearing out, Dr. Shirley bought a building and opened Shirley Feed and Seed. On one side of the building he had Commerce Veterinary Hospital and the other side, Shirley Feed and Seed. He was a cattle farmer and served on the Jackson County Cattleman’s Association board of directors.
After years of battling illness, Dr. Shirley was diagnosed in 1980 with multiple sclerosis. Following serious consideration, in March of 1981, he decided to retire. However, like years past, he stayed active in his church and community. In addition to the aforementioned clubs and organizations, Dr. Shirley was a member of the Lions Club, charter member and first president of the Jaycees, board of director and committee chairman for the Kiwanis Club, Northeastern Bank board of director, vice president and board of director of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, member of the Banks-Jackson-Commerce Hospital Authority, and the Jackson County Jail Committee that oversaw the building of a new jail.
According to Genny, two of his wonderful characteristics were his big smile and being optimistic. He was an intelligent, multi-faceted man, and a fine, active, caring, serving Christian that was a friend to all ages and walks of life. Dr. Shirley was a flower and vegetable gardener, as well as a hunter and fisherman. He was a wonderful father that always made time for his family. The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike, all enjoyed spending time with “Pop”.
In addition to his wife, Genny, Dr. Shirley is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Stone and Anne Shirley, Mark and Kathy Shirley, Chris and Stacy Shirley, all of Commerce; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Peter Harvin, Commerce; grandchildren, Adam Shirley, Matt Shirley (Cameron), Andy Shirley, Ben Shirley (Hope), Becky Shirley, Anna Marie Dillard (fiancé, Eric Wright), Colin Harvin (Angela), Kathleen Harvin, and Madelyn Shirley; and great-granddaughter, Olivia Shirley.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 9, at the First Baptist Church of Commerce with Dr. Carlton Allen and Mr. Ray Austin officiating. Interment followed in Jackson Memorial Gardens.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.