Allan W. Gurley

On Saturday, March 26, 2022  Dr. Allan W. Gurley of Gainesville, formerly of Cleveland went to be with our Heavenly Father.

He was born on March 29, 1931, to parents Weir W. Gurley and Ethel R. Gurley. He grew up in Dahlonega, GA and graduated from Lumpkin County High School. He graduated from North Georgia College, continued his studies at Peabody College for Teachers, the University of Georgia and finished his PhD at Georgia State College in Atlanta. At North Georgia College, he met Jeanette Allen Gurley, his wife of 64 years. Allan worked in Education as a teacher, bus driver, coach, assistant principal, athletic director, curriculum director, and as an adjunct professor at Mercer, North Georgia and Truett-McConnell. While working in Macon, he was in charge of the desegregation program, working with many in the state including Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King. He worked as Director of Special Programs at the State Department of Education and was instrumental in developing the Headstart Program for Georgia.

After retiring at 50 years old, Allan and Jeanette returned back to Cleveland and built their home. They were very involved in church at Mt. Pleasant Methodist and Allan served as a Gideon for the White County Camp. Allan accepted a job as Assistant Superintendent of the White County Board of Education. He was then offered a job at Truett-McConnell College to help develop the four-year education program. While at Truett he was on the first team of teachers to travel for a month to China to teach English (and about Christ but were not allowed to advertise it). He also carried the Olympic Torch around the TMC circle as part of the torch travel across the country to Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics.

He and all his family are avid University of Georgia fans. He was talented at water skiing and enjoyed hiking, running, fishing with his brothers, old cars, raising a large garden to share with others and generously supported many local efforts and families in need.

In addition to his parents, Weir and Ethel, he is preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette; brothers Bill Gurley and Ernest Gurley; and his sister, Pauline Langston. 

He is survived by his wife, Joyce McManious, daughters in laws and their families, Cynthia Dieckman (Julian) and Anne Warren (Neal); brother, Arnold Gurley, brother-in-law Charles Langston; and numerous special nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was a kind and generous man with a wonderful zest for life and sense of humor. He brightened countless lives over his long and full life and will be greatly missed.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 from 12 until 2 PM. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 2PM in the funeral home chapel with Mr. Greg Gurley and Mr. Garrison Baker officiating. Interment will follow at Gateway Memory Park.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make donations to the White County Camp of Gideons.

To leave a memory or share condolences please go to www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland, is in charge of arrangements. 706-865-3101 www.barrettfh.com