Reverend Jerry Eugene Eley, 79, of LaGrange, GA, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at West Georgia Medical Center.
Rev. Eley was born April 12, 1933, in Heard County, GA, son of the late Rev. W. L. Eley and Lois Brown Eley.
He was a graduate of LaGrange High School, LaGrange College, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX.
Throughout his life, Rev. Eley served the Lord through many churches. He served as the Minister of Music and Associate Pastor for First Baptist Church of Everman, TX, First Baptist Church of Snellville, GA, Ben Hill Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, Capitol View Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, and North River Baptist Church in Roswell, GA.
He served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Moreland, GA, from 1990 to 2004.
Rev. Eley has been an active member and deacon of First Baptist Church on the Square in LaGrange since 2004. He served for 10 years as a trustee of the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, including two terms as president of the board. He was also a long-time member of the Elm City Masonic Lodge.
Rev. Eley had an extraordinary love for everyone around him, and assumed that each person he met was his personal friend. He was a gifted humorist and teller of funny stories.
Survivors include his wife, Gearline Paschal Eley of LaGrange; son, Elem H. Eley and his wife, Miriam, of Ewing, N.J.; daughter, Dr. Ela Kaye Eley of Savannah, GA; grandson, Benjamin Eley and his wife, Susan, of Barrington, N.J.; great-grandsons, Weston Eley and Samuel Eley; brother, Vern Eley Sr.; sister-in-law, Erma Paschal of LaGrange; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, in LaGrange at First Baptist Church on the Square with Dr. Paul Baxter, Rev. Paul Blair, and Dr. Kenneth M. Dobbs officiating.
Burial will follow in Restlawn Memory Gardens.
The family will be at the home of Mrs. Gearline Eley, and will receive friends at the funeral home Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com .
Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240; 706- 884-8636.
