Funeral services for Mrs. Georgia M. Kerley were conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Saulters Moore Funeral Chapel with interment following in the St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Carson.

Rev. Jack Andrews officiated, assisted by Rev. Vernon Terrell.  Mrs. Kerley, age 102, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 15, 2024, at her home in Bassfield surrounded by her loving family.

Saulters Moore Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.

The Kerley family received friends Thursday morning, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m., until the hour of service at 11 a.m. at Saulters Moore Funeral Home.

Mrs. Kerley was carried to her final rest by those honored to serve as pallbearers. They included Joe Kerley, Mickey Kelly, Jason Kelly, Peyton McNease, Johnthan McNease and Kurt Green.

Georgia was born on June 19, 1922, in Carson, to Fate and Gay Carter Miller. She entered this world on the heels of World War I, when metropolitan areas were experiencing some technological advancement but not so much in the sleepy town of Carson.

In the 1920s, many people in rural Mississippi still had no electricity; indoor plumbing was only being acquired by the privileged and automobiles were still quite a luxury.

Since her childhood, she was no stranger to hard work and was well acquainted with not only walking to school, but also long days in dusty fields pulling a cotton sack. 

Raised in an era when opportunities were scarce, Georgia was, however, fortunate to graduate from high school, a significant achievement for that time.

Following her marriage to her first husband, Estes Garner Sr, the couple settled in San Antonio, Texas, where they welcomed two children into their family. However, life’s journey would lead them back to Carson a short time later. 

Following the passing of Mr. Garner, Georgia demonstrated remarkable strength and determination as she became both mother and father to five children.

This role as the sole provider in a time without social programs was no small feat.

Despite the challenges she faced, Georgia managed to nourish her family through her skills in mending garments, cooking for the public, and long days of hard work.  While the conveniences of everyday life were scarce, her children all agree that the love and tenderness of their mother was in great supply. 

Her unwavering faith and reliance on God allowed her to create a happy home for her children, who, in their adult years, fondly remarked on her strict yet loving nature, recalling how she wielded a Bible in one hand and a switch in the other.

Some years after the death of her first husband, Georgia would again find love and marry Thomas Kerley, Sr.

The family would settle in Bassfield where she would live out the remainder of her life.

She cultivated a passion for gardening, growing beautiful flowers that adorned her yard.

Her creativity and hard work did not go unnoticed; because her home was next to the railroad that formerly passed through Bassfield, train engineers often remarked how much they enjoyed passing by and seeing the beauty resulting from her hard work.

However, her greatest passion was serving her Lord and Savior. Her family has great assurance because Mrs. Kerley loved the Word of God and lived according to its Truths to the best of her ability. She was of the Methodist faith.

Mrs. Kerley was preceded in death by her husband Estes Garner  Sr. and Thomas Kerley Sr.; two daughters, Sally Goodwin and Kathy McNease; her son, Estes Garner Jr.; three sisters, Ophie Miller, Vera Gore, and Vonnie J. McNease; her brother, Grover Miller; son-in-law Barry McNease and granddaughter Gayla Goodwin.

Her memory will forever be cherished by her daughters: Jackie Kelly (Don) of Pearl, Judy Creel (Norman) of Southaven, Megan Dyess (Dale) of Carson; two sons, Thomas “Tommy” Kerley Jr. and James “Marty” Kerley, both of Bassfield and her brother, Buck Miller, of Houston Texas. The legacy of their Maw-maw will also live on through her grandchildren, Mickey Kelly (Jennifer), Jason Kelly (Kim), Nick Creel, Todd McNease (Kaila); her great-grandchildren, Sally Lundsten (Aaron), Christian Kelly, Blake Kelly, Jayden Gilbert (Kohl), Kinley Kelly, Peyton McNease (Naomi), Jonathan McNease (Colleen Reynaud) and her great-great grandchildren, Kamdyn Lundsten, Kyleigh Lundsten, Paxton McNease, Jackson McNease, Karter Gilbert and an expected great-great grandson in December, Briggs Kelly Gilbert.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com