Mr. Gilreath was born May 23, 1914 in Cartersville, a son of the late James Hugh Gilreath Sr. and Nora Alice Rowan Gilreath and step-mother, Kate H. Candler Gilreath.
Mr. Gilreath graduated from the University of Georgia in 1934 with a double major in Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Engineering. He was the captain of the cross county track team, a member of the honor society for the agricultural school and a Lieutenant in the ROTC Cavalry Unit. He also served in the United States Army as a sharp shooter and rifle instructor. After graduation he accepted a position in Douglasville as an Assistant County Agent. Mr. Gilreath was the co-owner and manager of Gilreath Hardware located on Main St. for approximately 45 years. He was a member of the Cartersville School Board, Lion’s Club, Euharlee Farmer’s Club and Cartersville Bachelor’s Club. He was a long time member of the First Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years.
Mr. Gilreath is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Marion Hunt Nicholson Gilreath; brother, Rowan Gilreath and sister, Elizabeth Gilreath Schoener.
Survivors include a step-sister Martha Holden (Mrs. James); daughters and sons-in-laws, Alice G. and Joe B. Duckett of Anniston AL, Nancy G and Stephen S. Jackman of Birmingham, AL and Luanne G. and Terry N. Tumlin of Cartersville, GA; grandchildren, David Duckett of Jacksonville, AL, Amy Lawrence, Tim Jackman and Charles Jackman, all of Birmingham, AL, Sarah Tumlin of Vienna, VA, Katharine (Katie) Tumlin of Atlanta, GA and Samuel Gilreath Tumlin of Athens, GA; great grandchildren, Ashley, Brooklynne and Brody Duckett, all of Jacksonville, AL, Morgan Duckett of Prattville, AL, Caroline, William and Emily Lawrence, Carter, Hudson, Claire and Bennett Jackman, all of Birmingham AL.
Funeral Services will be held 3:00 P.M. Sunday, April 7, 2013 from the Chapel of Owen Funeral Home with the Rev. Jack Mansfield officiating. Interment will immediately follow from Oak Hill Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers are Terry Tumlin, Steve Jackman, Joe Duckett, Tim Jackman, Charles Jackman, Sam Tumlin, Drew Lawrence and David Duckett.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 Sunday, April 7, 2013 at Owen Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Cartersville, The American Diabetes Association or Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to post tributes and sign the on-line register.
Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA 30120 has charge of the arrangements.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18