Eugenia Turner Sorrells

She was 94 years old. Born in Woodbury GA on May 19, 1920, Eugenia grew up the daughter of a small town butcher/grocer and a homemaker from West Georgia.

She lived a full life through a historic time. Events like the depression, World War II, desegregation, space exploration, women’s liberation and digital revolution constantly reshaped the world around her, and during those exciting, turbulent and confusing times, she faced a number of considerable challenges that defined her experience and developed her character. She worked to find her place as a woman in a fiercely conservative culture that pigeonholed women into a few traditional roles, which, due to circumstances out of her control, made it difficult. She lost her husband in a tragic car accident (after he survived WWII) shortly after giving birth to two daughters. Left to raise a four and two year old on her own, she supported her family by working as a public school teach and librarian.

Each step of the way through this journey, she stayed true to three basic values: her love of family, devotion to community, and faith in God. She met Hubert H. Sorrells in the early 1940’s while working a summer job at a peach packing shed between her early years as a teacher in Woodbury GA. Their courtship took place over several years including the years writing letters when he was stationed in the European theatre during WWII. When he returned, assured that he would remain stateside, they married on March 15, 1945. He was promptly reassigned to the South Pacific where he served until the end of the war. After the war, Eugenia gave birth to two daughters who both grew up to be successful professionals and parents. Their families became major sources of pride and love for Eugenia. She actively engaged in raising her grandchildren and provided them with selfless love and support. Throughout her life, she maintained a close relationship with her sister, Mary Louise Turner Sanders, whose two sons remember Eugenia as the feisty, good-humored, pistol of an aunt.

At work, Eugenia was committed to her students throughout her 30 year public teaching career in Woodbury and Griffin, GA. She made authentic connections with them that are still appreciated and remembered today. After she retired in 1982, she became an active volunteer at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain GA, where she was widely known as the super volunteer and an enthusiastic supporter of everything Callaway. She especially enjoyed working at the Butterfly House and the Botanical Garden. Callaway Gardens held a special spot in her heart.

She moved to St. Simons Island, GA in 2007 to enjoy the beach and be close to her daughter, Elizabeth. On the island she continued to pursue her interest in community and people by volunteering at the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, primarily serving as a docent at the Lighthouse. Active throughout her life, walking, swimming, traveling, and even practicing yoga, Eugenia never really slowed down. On her 90th birthday, she climbed to the top of the Lighthouse, all 129 steps!

The church was important to Eugenia. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. First belonging to the Methodist Church of Woodbury GA, then the First United Methodist Church of Griffin GA, and later, the First United Methodist Church of St. Simons Island. She was active in all areas of the church, and especially enjoyed singing in the choir.

When she wasn’t tending to her family, working, volunteering, singing in the choir, taking a trip with her friends or climbing steps, Eugenia was usually beating someone at bridge, telling a funny joke, walking on the beach or baking her incredible cornbread.

She was a thoughtful, well educated woman with a curiosity about the world beyond Georgia. Although she lived most of her life in the Peach State, she traveled to the majority of the fifty states, and many foreign countries with her husband, family, and friends. She graduated from Meriwether High School in 1937, and then Georgia State College for Women (now Georgia College) in 1941 where she received a B.A. degree in English and Library Science. She and her sister were the first two family members to attend college.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert H. Sorrells; her parents Eugene and Flora Turner, her sister Mary Louise Turner Sanders, and her nephew Joel H. Sanders Jr.

Survivors include her daughters, Elizabeth Sorrells of St. Simons Island, and Margaret Sorrells Rodbell (Jeff) of Atlanta; her nephew Gene

Sanders (Donna) of Carrollton GA; four grandchildren, Seth Webb of Woodstock VT, Jay Cox (Martha) of Atlanta GA, Cassie Cox of Clarksville GA, Caroline Cox of Atlanta, GA; two great grandchildren Weller Cox and Hadley Cox of Atlanta. She is also survived by her former son-in-law, James H. Cox, of Clarksville GA.

Burial services will be private.

Contributions in memory of Eugenia may be made to the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, 610 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island GA 31522; or Glynn Community Crisis Center, P. O. Box 278, Brunswick GA 31521; or Magnolia Manor Nursing Facility, 2255 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island GA 31522.

Her family is extremely grateful to the staff of Magnolia Manor Nursing Facility for the loving care provided to Eugenia during these last few years.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, www.edomillerandsons.com.