KOSCIUSKO —
Rev. Guss J. Shelly, 66, died on Thursday, October 18, 2012, at his residence. Born on October 30, 1945, in Kosciusko, he was a son of the late Gus and Annie Belle Jenkins Shelley.
Guss was a graduate of McAdams High School. Accepting the call into ministry at 19, Guss married Sarah Ann Powell on June 20, 1965. Returning to school while preaching at four churches, he graduated from Mississippi State University in 1970. In 1973, Guss graduated from Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.
Faithfully serving as a member of the Mississippi United Methodist Conference for 46 years as a minister and District Superintendent, he retired in June 2011 while in Grenada. Loving to sing, Guss always sang in the choir at the church he was serving. Moving back to Amory, he attended St. Andrews United Methodist Church.
Growing up on a farm, Guss was an exceptional gardener who could grow anything and was passionate about Heifer Project International, which taught people how to raise farm animals and grow crops to provide for themselves. He enjoyed cooking for the Wesley Foundation and at St. Andrews. Enjoying retirement to the fullest, Guss loved people, loved being in ministry, was passionate about his pets, and enjoyed tracing his family’s genealogy. His favorite music was Old-Time Gospel, and he enjoyed listening to PRM. Cherishing time spent with family, especially his grandchildren, Guss enjoyed fishing and going to the beach with them.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah Ann Shelly, Amory; daughter, Zora Harris (Mark), Guntown; sons, Robert Shelly (Amy), Amory and Paul Shelly (Amy), Anniston, AL; sisters, Tillie Taylor, Coffeeville, and Johnnie Miller (Jim), Madison; brother, Edwin Shelley (Norma), Milton, FL; grandchildren, Jake Shelly, Caleb Shelly, Caitlyn Shelly, Annabelle Shelly, Katy Thomason, Tyler Harris, and Kimberly Harris; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Ann McCrory; and a grandson, “Little” Joe Thomason.
A Celebration of Life Service was held at 11 a.m., Monday, October 22, at St. Andrews United Methodist Church with Rev. Robbie Murden, Rev. Tim Sisk, and Rev. Jimmy Barnes officiating.
Burial was in Masonic Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jake Shelly, Caleb Shelly, Tyler Harris, Shelley Taylor, James Edwin Shelley, Eugene McCrory, Danny O’Neal, Donnie Taylor, and Gus Allen Shelley. Honorary pallbearers were United Methodist ministers.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Heifer Project International, PO Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203 or to St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 1123 Legion Dr., Amory, MS 38821.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.
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