Shirley Callihan Jones: Obituary

Shirley Callihan Jones, age 78, of Blue Ridge, passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 in Blue Ridge, GA. Born on March 26, 1940 in Fannin County, GA, she was the daughter of the late Dave C. Callihan and Laura Dilbeck Callihan. She was affectionately known as “Mamaw” to everyone that knew her. She enjoyed attending church, singing, listening to gospel music, gardening, canning, baking sweet treats and giving them away, making greeting cards and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, going on trips with her sister, writing poems, and her cats, Sadie and Buddy. She is thankful for her kidney tranplant that she had 30 years ago and protected it dearly. She will be remembered for her deep and never-ending love of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sue Jones; brothers, Dennis Callihan, Gene Callihan, and Paul Frank Callihan.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Richard Jones of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Phil and Shelia Jones of Gainesville; grandchildren, Chris Jones, Andy and Jessie Jones, Alana Jones, Staci and Jody Barfield, Devin Barfield, Drew Barfield, Ella Barfield, Katelyn and Jaclyn Cracknell, Chloe Ingram, Ashley and Jesse Adkins, and Alyson Baker; special nephew she thought of like a son, Roger Jones; brother and sister-in-law, Glen and Grace Callihan of Blue Ridge; sister, Maggie and Ray Workman; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Herdis Jones, Ida Watkins, Myrtle and L.H. Hallum, Gladys and Orlin Bell, and Ada Callihan; and special family friend Cheryl Cracknell. Shirley is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge Chapel. Rev. James Worley will officiate. Music will be provided by Betty Hawkins, Nancy Watkins, and Brenda Milsaps. Interment will follow in the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Jerry Banks officiating. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Devin Barfield, Andy Jones, Chris Jones, Jody Barfield, Roger Jones, and Bradley Watkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Phillips, Tim Phillips, Bob Callihan, Rick Callihan, Terry Callihan, Ronnie Callihan, and Troy Callihan. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.