Rebecca Miller Gurr

Rebecca Miller Gurr of Gainesville, GA died at home early Wednesday, May 9, 2018 after a long and brave battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Ellaville United Methodist Church in Ellaville, GA.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service starting at 1:00 PM.   Burial will follow in the Ellaville Cemetery.  Rev. Drew Archer and Rev. Joy Wilson will officiate.  Active pallbearers will include Tom Archer, Robert Bowers, Brian Hall, Peyton Register, Colby Register, and Jordan Hall.  Honorary pallbearers will be Carlton Wilson and Gus Lane.  There will be a memorial service in Gainesville to be announced at a later date.

Rebecca was born September 6, 1942, in Macon, GA to Jesse and Ethel Miller who preceded her in death. She grew up in Ellaville and was a graduate of Berry College in Rome, GA and went on to earn her Master’s Degree from Georgia College and her specialist Degree in School Administration from the University of Georgia.

Her life was dedicated to her family and to teaching children all over the state of Georgia. Her career as an educator began in Macon, Bibb County in 1964. She served area schools of Southwest Georgia (Schley, Sumter, Taylor, Marion, Stewart, Webster, Clay, and Randolph) as a Language Arts Consultant with RESA, and as principal of Vienna Elementary before serving in Hall County. She was Assistant Principal at Gainesville High School, where she worked from 1986 until her retirement in 2000. Rebecca was a strong supporter of the Center Point Christian Education Center of Gainesville High School serving on the Board of Trustee for nineteen years. In 2014 Center Point established the Rebecca Gurr Fund in recognition of her dedication to its Religious Education Program.

Rebecca came to Gainesville in 1986 following her marriage to Dr. Steve Gurr, who at that time was Dean of Gainesville College. Rebecca was an active member of the Gainesville community where she served in many capacities. She devoted her career in Gainesville to the students, faculty, and staff of Gainesville High School. She was beloved and respected by her many colleagues, students and their parents.

During her retirement years, Rebecca enjoyed supporting Gainesville High athletics and continued to help as an educational consultant. She could also be found in her yard many days beautifying “Gurr Woods”. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren, who served as her main inspiration for her long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s.

She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Gainesville where she was active as Lay Leader and taught an adult Sunday school class for several years.

Rebecca is survived by her husband, Steve, and sons Frank Freeman (Kathy), Matthew Freeman (Anjana), and stepsons, Christopher Gurr and Stephen Gurr, as well as sisters Joy Wilson (Carlton) and Iris Archer, and grandsons Jess, Julius, and River Freeman, Justis Mercer and Charlie Gurr as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Also to be recognized with family is her longtime caregiver, Marion Kidd.

Charitable contributions may be made to: St. Paul United Methodist Church 404 Washington Street, Gainesville, GA 30501 or Ellaville United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 74, Ellaville, GA 31806.

You may sign the online guest book and share your own special thoughts and memories with the family by visiting Watson-Giddens Funeral Home’s website at www.watsongiddensfuneralhome.com

Watson-Giddens Funeral Home of Ellaville, GA has been entrusted with the arrangements.