| Sources |
- [S26] Berry Funeral Home, (www.berryfuneralhome.com), 1 Apr 2010.
Harold G. Johnson obituary
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 7 Sep 2009.
DEAVOURS, GEORGE S. - 91, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, died Saturday, September 5, 2009 at The Gardens at Sandy Springs. Mr. Deavours was born 12 November 1918 to the former Carl Lacine and Dora Cowart Deavours in Nauvoo, Walker, Alabama. The ninth of eleven children, he was the last surviving sibling. Mr. Deavours spent his youth in Jasper, Walker, Alabama, graduating from Walker County High School. In scouting, he achieved the Order of the Arrow. In 1935 he accepted a position as usher and assistant manager in Jasper's movie theatre, beginning his 50-year employment with the same company which began as the WilbyKincy Theatres and ended as Cineplex-Odeon Theatres. His career transferred him to Knoxville, TN where he met Reba Johnson, whom he married on 5 April1, 1942. Mr. Deavours' children include a daughter, Dianne Deavours Shafer, wife of John W. Shafer, athletics director at Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and a son, George C. Deavours, Decatur, Georgia. He was blessed with one grandson-Michael Shafer, head women's basketball coach at the University of Richmond (VA). Michael is the husband of the former Erin Eisele, and is the father of daughters, Sophie and Sumner Shafer. On 6 August 1942, Deavours joined the Army Air Corps where, as a Radar Mechanic, he served in Italy during World War II. He trained as a pilot in Santa Anna, CA, Pre-Radar in Chanute Field, IL, and in Radar Mechanics in Boca Raton, FL. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and earned the Distinguished Unit Badge, the American Theater Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 5 Bronze Service Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. After the service, Deavours served as theatre manager in Knoxville, TN, Kingsport, TN, Chattanooga, TN, Montgomery, AL before becoming the last theatre manager of the storied Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA. His occupation permitted Mr. Deavours the opportunity to develop his artistic talents through sketching and painting. He returned to Knoxville, TN to become District Manager of theatres in East Tennessee and North Carolina before retiring there in 1985. Mr. Deavours was a member of many civic organizations including Rotary and Civitan. Brought up in the Methodist faith, Mr. and Mrs. Deavours attended the Baptist church in Knoxville. He and his wife moved to Atlanta, GA in 2006. In 2007, they fully retired to The Gardens at Sandy Springs. He is survived by his wife Reba J. Deavours, Sandy Springs; his daughter Dianne D. (Mrs. John) Shafer, Cape Girardeau, MO; his son, George C. Deavours, Decatur, GA; his grandson J. Michael (wife Erin) Shafer, Richmond, VA; his great-granddaughters, Sophie and Sumner Shafer, Richmond, VA; his widowed sister-in-law Mary C. Deavours; several nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Reagan. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 in the chapel of Berry Funeral Home, officiated by nephew Rev. Bill Johnson. The family will receive friends from 11:00 to 12:00am prior to the service. Inurnment will follow at Knoxville National Cemetery, 939 Tyson St. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Auburn United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 1375 S. Gay St., Auburn, AL 36830 or Crossroads Hospice, 1957 Lakeside Parkway STE 500, Tucker, GA 30084. A guestbook and additional information is available at www.berryfuneralhome.com
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1918 - 2009 (90 years)
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