Mary Jo Shirer

Mary Jo Shirer, 85, passed away Thursday morning, March 21, 2019 in Amelia Island, FL where she had resided since January of this year.

Mary Jo was born October 25, 1933 in Sheridan, IN and moved to Blairsville, GA in 2001 from north Atlanta where she had lived for 29 years. 

She retired as an Executive Assistant to the President of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates in 1998.  She is a member of Providence United Methodist Church of Blairsville where she served on the church board and was active with various other church ministries.  She was a member of Eastern Star.  Mary Jo volunteered tirelessly – PTAs, Children’s schools, Scouts, Multiple Sclerosis’ Bike Ride Across Georgia, and held many leadership support positions within Sunny Peaches camping group and within various churches she attended during her lifetime.

She was a loving and devoted Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother.  She loved sewing and was an avid quilter. 

Mrs. Shirer was predeceased by her husband, Robert ‘Bob’ F. Shirer in 2007, and her friend and companion, Herb Schuette, in 2014.

Survivors include her five children and their spouses, Melonie Grant (Ed) of Amelia Island, FL, Sheila Johnson (Jackie) of Savannah, GA, Robert "Bob" Shirer (Leigh) of Pensacola, FL, Charlotte Kenney (Chris) of Jacksonville, FL and Amy Brown (Jeff) of Cumming, GA; 7 grandchildren,  Jason Jackson (Candace), Justin Jackson (Marisa), Jack Johnson (Ashley), Jennifer O’Berry (Collin), Rachel Weber (Charles), Ross Shirer, Robyn Stanford (Ryan); and 6 great-grandchildren Arden Jackson, Fisher Jackson, Riley Jackson, Townley Johnson, Lillian Johnson, and Ruby O’Berry.  Mary Jo is also survived by Tom and Erin Schuette and their 2 children, Sylvan and Emma, of Blairsville, GA and Tracy Schuette of Auburndale, FL, wife Shauna, and children Robert and Zane, who she loved as her own. 

Graveside funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at Providence United Methodist Church Cemetery in Blairsville, GA.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Cochran Funeral Home, 41 Hunt Martin Street, Blairsville, GA.