Ernest George Shivers, Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ernest George Shivers, Jr. age 97 of Snellville, GA, passed away Monday, March 22, 2021. His tomatoes were legendary. Every year, his garden produced an abundance of them, the product of hard, steady work in the red Georgia clay. They were admired throughout the family. Amazingly, he never ate them himself. It’s not why he grew them. Perhaps it was a commitment, a discipline, a way to serve his family. In all things, he was a hard worker and full of self-control. He wasted nothing: not time, not money, not even a Ziploc bag. Routines were paramount. Dinner was at 6:00, then the news. He kept his commitments. Providing for his family was his motivation. Yes, he had a college degree and a successful career as a lab tech and salesman with a reputable textile company. But for him it was never about climbing ladders (unless it was to pluck a pear from one of the trees he planted in his yard). The degree and the job (and his secondary jobs) were means to an end: putting food on the table, giving his children a college education, caring for his wife. It was consistency he valued: one year at a time, predictable, reliable. His sense of discipline couldn’t obscure his playful sense of humor. He loved limericks, especially the ones that poked fun at someone, like the woman who found herself on the inside of the tiger. Grandchildren were “bodacious portygees,” which everyone vaguely understood to be a sort of benign insult, while the exact meaning remained inscrutable. He was constantly whistling a folk tune and making funny faces at the youngest grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He often spoke of his family as a blessing. When family came to visit, he was unequivocally devoted to spending time with them. No stepping out to take an “important” phone call, no unavoidable golf outings. When visits were over, he came out to the driveway and waved until his family was out of sight. Others born in 1923 include Hank Williams, Charlton Heston and Shimon Peres. Ernest outlived them all. His long life spanned the Great Depression, a world war, the Cold War, and the Coronavirus. In 1943, he left Georgia to serve in the United States Navy, which sent him to Guadalcanal and Guam. In 1950, he married Virginia Smith, to whom he remained faithful for 70 years. He served diligently in the Baptist church and taught his children to know and love the Bible. Despite his self-control and hatred of all vice, Ernest didn’t think too highly of himself. Rather, with sober judgment, he frequently sang: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” Now he is singing with his Father. A Journey of Remembrance to celebrate the life of Ernest George Shivers will be held on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, GA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Snellville, GA or Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY. Due to the current COVID-19 regulations, our staff is committed to taking care of our guests and families that we serve. Please understand that we will be limiting the amount of people at our chapel for visitations and services. We also ask all guests and family members attending visitations and services to please bring and wear a mask. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, A Family Company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-979-3200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Ernest George Shivers, Jr.

October 9, 1923 - March 22, 2021