Today, we are rejoicing. Today, she knows who she is. She knows where she is. She isn't confused. She knows. For the first time in years, she KNOWS. She knows that she now gets to live eternally, perfectly whole, and well with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Perspective reminds us that she had 88 years on this earth. Over 80 years of happiness and overall healthiness up until her last years. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, F. Lee Shelton and Catherine Fowler Shelton, the love of her life, our precious Pop, Daddy, Dad, Papa, Poopsie - William Glenn Gurley, Sr., her daughter, Emily Ann Gurley, and her beloved sister, BK, Sister - Betty Katherine Hoyle. She was immensely blessed with three children - William Glenn Gurley, Jr., "Bill" (Diane), Brian Lee Gurley (Erin), and Carol Gurley Burns (Byron). She proudly boasted over her four grandchildren - Charles Austin Gurley, Caitlin Gurley Cullen (Christopher), Landon Lee Gurley, and Emmygrace Rae Gurley. She even got to meet her great-grands, Cely & Tripp Cullen. She was surrounded by countless friends and loved ones throughout her life. She was so generous - with her time and otherwise. She was a third-generation member of St. John's United Methodist Church and was a faithful servant and steward to her church and to her Savior. At St. John's, she was a member of the choir - cloaked in ivory drapes lined with silk green trim - every Sunday - a vivid picture we will always remember. We're not sure if she could sing, but she sure looked pretty up there. Her stewardship and love for music also extended into GAMAC - to which she supported for years. She was also responsible for the inception and implementation of the St. John's Clothes Closet - a proud accomplishment for her and the community. Her Wednesday evening and Sunday morning servitude didn't stop there - She worked as the secretary to the Anderson UMC District Superintendent and for St. John's as a Financial Secretary for over 50 years. Additionally, she was an active Stephen Minister for many years, and contributed generously to the funding of the program. Her strong faith and her church set the tone for everything she did. "I know my people and they will come through," she used to say. She always looked on the bright side. She was also a member of the South Carolina United Methodist Board. She was an honor graduate of Anderson College and was an active alumna for many years. Her membership of a local Garden Club is just another example of her investment and love for her community. If it wasn't orange or a closely related shade of peach, she didn't want it. Her beloved Clemson Tigers just lost their biggest fan, and decades long Iptay patron. She lost this fight, but we will keep rooting - fight tigers, fight tigers, fight, fight, fight. We will close our eyes and picture you with us at every game. Clemson will never forget you. We are "tiger tough", as she used to say. She left a little bit of room in her heart for the Atlanta Braves. She traveled to Atlanta for years to cheer them on, or if she couldn't attend - hooped and hollered from her recliner at home. She also attended the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. But Georgia was just the tip of the iceberg. She loved to travel - across the world, visiting over thirty countries in her lifetime. We will always cherish the mementos she mailed or brought back home to us from each country. She was incredibly forgiving. She didn't always agree with others, but she had a poignant way of gracefully and properly letting you know. She forgave Carolina Gamecock fans for simply existing. She forgave people who wore hats at the dinner table. She forgave people for saying or doing something "tacky". We've all been victims of her icy blue glare when in trouble, but we still knew at the end of the day, she forgave us. She loved us all so well. She always had a way of smiling and being a bright light even through the worst of times. We can remember distinctly her smiling while simultaneously muttering threats under her breath to one of us for misbehaving. She always found a way to smile. To her, it was the proper thing to do. Her beauty was unparalleled. You could spot her porcelain, Merle-Norman-poster-child skin from a mile away. Her strawberry-kissed, carrot-top locks were unmistakable. All five feet of her seemed to tower immensely if her blue daggers met yours. Even in her last days, her crystal blue eyes were so bright and mesmerizing. Nails, lips, and cheeks always painted to perfection. She was breathtaking. Funerals mark the end of life. They are finite. They close a door or a window. But really, they should mark a beginning - the start of something. Today is not the end - but our new beginning. It's impossible to do justice to a life in a few words, especially her life. Hopefully we've successfully recounted some high notes. It's our job to now go out and live for her - carry on with the things she loved. Remember her. Keep her alive in us, to honor her. Let's live out her legacy for the rest of the days we have on this earth. Let's make her proud. "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature…for the Lord sees not as man sees, man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." - I Samuel 16:7. Emmie, Mom, Mama, Meme - Thank you for showing us what beauty truly is - the beauty you so effortlessly carried each day, inside and out. We love you and "shucks-fuzzy", we already miss you. We can't wait to see you again. The Gurley family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff of Garden House of Anderson and Crescent Hospice for their expert care and compassion. The family will receive friends Wednesday, October 5, 2022, from 11:00am until 12:00pm at The McDougald Funeral Home. The Graveside service will follow at New Silver Brook Cemetery starting at 12:30pm with Rev. Dan Batson officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on her behalf to St. John's United Methodist Church, 515 South McDuffie Street, Anderson SC, 29624. Events Visitation Wednesday, October 5, 2022 11:00AM - 12:00PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Graveside Wednesday, October 5, 2022 12:30PM New Silver Brook Cemetery 440 E. Shockley Ferry Road Anderson, SC 29624 Phone: 8642244343 Final Resting Place New Silver Brook Cemetery 440 E. Shockley Ferry Road Anderson, SC 29624