Garvin Usry, Jr.

Garvin Usry, Jr.

Wrens, GA  –              Garvin Usry, Jr., 79, loving husband of 60 years to Edith Beckum Usry, entered into his eternal rest Saturday morning, April 7, 2018 at his residence. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday afternoon, April 9, 2018 in the James Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverends Wayne Usry and Don Widener officiating.  Interment will follow in the Reedy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

One of nine children born to the late Virginia McGahee Usry and the late Garvin Usry Sr., Garvin was a lifelong resident of Jefferson County.  He attended school in Stapleton, but quit after the 7th grade to help on the family farm. He served in the Army National Guard for seven years during the Korean Conflict. Garvin loved his Lord and Savior serving him as a member and deacon at Woodland Baptist Church. After working in maintenance for many years at J.P. Stevens, he left to be a maintenance supervisor for J. M. Huber, retiring after 17 years of service.  Garvin was a family man and worked hard to provide for his family.  His passion was farming and was most content working the land, maintaining his equipment and caring for the livestock.  His favorite pastime was deer hunting—his sharpshooter skills acquired during his time in the Guard came in handy during deer season.  Garvin never met a stranger and was always one to help out others. People gravitated to his out-going, good hearted, giving spirit and loved to hear his life stories, which were many.  Garvin was a fighter—he never gave up—and was the calm, strong force in the midst of life’s storms.  A loyal friend, dedicated husband and loving father, he loved his family unconditionally and put their needs above his own. He built his life on the solid foundation of Jesus and was not deterred in his life’s mission.  Garvin will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community.

Garvin was also preceded in death by his grandson, Bryce Smith; and six siblings, Velda Hadden, C.L. Usry, Jeannie Stevenson, Jody Reese, Earl Usry and Gerald Usry. Other survivors include his children, James Usry (Audrey), Philip Usry (Arlene), Marcia Smith (Randy) and Brian Usry (Renae); two siblings, Wayne Usry (Barbara Ann) and Joann Wren; four grandchildren, Jamie Smith, Lexi Usry, Lauren Usry and Evin Usry; many nieces, nephews and friends.  Pallbearers will be Bennett Clark, Harry Gilmore Jr., Julian Kitchens, John May, Jamie Smith and Joe Dean Usry. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Edward Arrington, William Barlow, Gene Gay, Cliff Johnson, Edward Newsome, Steve Norton, Wayne Scott, Lee Woods and Wayne Yost.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M.Sunday evening, April 8, 2018.

Heartfelt thanks for their excellent, loving, compassionate care to the staff of Gibson Health and Rehabilitation Center and Alliance Hospice.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Woodland Baptist Church, 22259 US 1 North, Matthews GA  30818.

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Come With Me

The Lord saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be,
So He put his arms around you
and whispered, "Come with me"

With tearful eyes, we watched you suffer
And saw you fade away,
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,
A beautiful smile at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove
He only takes the best.

It's lonesome here without you
We miss you so each day,
Our lives aren't the same
Since you went away.

When days are sad and lonely,
And everything goes wrong,
We seem to hear you whisper,
"Cheer up and carry on."

Each time we see your picture,
You seem to smile and say,
"Don't cry, I'm in God's keeping,
We'll meet again someday."