Hallie Gurley Firestone, 96, of Athens, died Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at NHC Health Care of Athens.

A native of Polk County, and a daughter of the late James Wesley and Donnie Jenkins Gurley, she was preceded in death by her husband, Waymon Firestone, on Dec. 20, 1995; one sister, Essie Davis; and three brothers, Coker L., Luther C. and Creed L. Gurley. Following their marriage in 1928, she and her husband lived, worked and reared their children in Polk and McMinn counties. In 1948, they sold the family farm and moved to Detroit, Mich., where she, along with her husband, was active in a Baptist church. They later moved to Streetsboro, Ohio, where they were instrumental in establishing and building a Southern Baptist church, in which she worked mainly with children and missions organizations and supported her husband who served as a deacon.

After his retirement, they returned to Athens, where she was a member of Athens First Baptist Church at the time of her death. She was a member of the Gleaners Sunday School Class, the Missions Organization and worked with Vacation Bible School until she was 90 years old. After returning to Athens, she worked at Athens Community Hospital and retired about 25 years ago. She did needlework as a hobby, cross-stitch, knitting, crocheting, quilting and other crafts, which she enjoyed giving to others.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Charles Kennedy of Athens; one son, Parnick H. Firestone of South Padre Island, Texas; three grandchildren and spouses, Karen and Douglas Harrod of Athens, Dennis Firestone of Phoenix, Ariz., and Charles \"Chuck\" and Billie Kennedy of Plantation, Fla.; four great-granddaughters, Carli and Ella Firestone and Marianne and Amanda Kennedy; three great-grandsons, Joe Kennedy, Mark Harrod and John Harrod and his wife, Michelle; two great-great-grandchildren, Caroline and Grayson Harrod; one sister, Marie Harbison of Delano; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Firestone officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be Dennis Firestone, Chuck Kennedy, Joe Kennedy, Douglas Harrod, John Harrod and Mark Harrod.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Those not able to attend may send condolencesto mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com