Ruenell Griffin Agee

Ruenell Griffin Agee, 80, passed away on June 4, 2014 at her home in Calhoun following an extended illness. Mrs. Agee was born in Lumberton, North Carolina on November 29, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Reverend James D. Griffin and the late Elma B. (Cornelison) Griffin. She was preceded in death by two brothers, James D. Griffin, Jr. and Lonnie L. Griffin, and a sister, Lonell Griffin. Mrs. Agee grew up in Calhoun and was a proud resident of the Echota Mill Village Community. She was a member of the Echota Baptist Church and participated as a singer in its local quartets and choirs during her youth. While attending Calhoun High School, Mrs. Agee was a majorette for the Calhoun High Band and also lettered five consecutive years while playing on the girls' varsity basketball team. She was a member of the Jacketeer Annual Staff, Glee Club, Tri- Hi-V, Future Homemakers of America and served as FHA Secretary. She graduated in 1953. In 1959, Mrs. Agee traveled to Straubing, Germany, where she married her high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Agee. They were married in dual ceremonies, first in a nearby German village, followed by a formal military wedding at the Straubing Post Chapel. On their honeymoon, they visited southern Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. Mrs. Agee often commented on her genuine fondness for the German people and their culture. Mrs. Agee's professional life consisted of employment with Hi-Way Arts of Calhoun, as well as with the Tumpane Company of Marietta. She was employed for many years in retail management and her civil service career began as a military pay clerk for the u.S. Army at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Over the next several decades, Mrs. Agee devoted much of her time to raising their three daughters and fulfilling her responsibilities as a military spouse. She coordinated the family's many moves within the Greater Washington D.C. Area and to U.S Army military bases, including Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. She participated in officer wives' functions, supported her children's educational needs and coordinated their many activities. She enjoyed entertaining, bowling, camping and embroidery. After retiring with her husband to Calhoun in 1993, Mrs. Agee spent a great deal of time visiting and caring for her mother and brother in the local nursing home. She looked forward to attending Yellow Jacket football games and visits from her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bob, and three daughters: Melanie (Mark) Gursky of Woodbridge, Virginia; Sharyn (Kristen) Agee of Washington, D.C.; and Laurie (Sean) Rubino of Acworth. Additional survivors include her five grandchildren: Stacy and Tyler Gursky, both of Woodbridge, Virginia; Aidan and Declan Rubino, both of Acworth; and Jordan Ezzell-Agee of Washington, D.C. Other surviving family members include two brothers and one sister: Archie Griffin, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Harvey Griffin of Calhoun; Ruthell Taylor of Acworth; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, June 8th at 2:00 p.m. the First Baptist Church of Calhoun with Dr. Bert Vaughn and Dr. John Barber officiating. Burial will follow in Fain Cemetery. Pallbearers are Tyler Gursky, Billy Baxter, J.H. Chapman, Bob Devens, Jimmy Harmon, Ron Lee, Jimmy Prater, and Jimmy Silvers. Honorary pallbearers are Ron Hall, Richard Lowrey, Jack McDaniel, Billy Padgett, Fred Prater, Ray Towers and Trammell Whitfield. Additional honorary pallbearers are Mrs. Agee's caregivers at Care at Home with special recognition to Leslie DePerro, Holly Chamlee and Lisa Anderson; members of the North Star Hospice Staff with special recognition to Robin Fowler, Jenifer Stinson and Luke Morgan, and surviving members of the Calhoun High School Graduating Class of 1953. The family will receive guests on Saturday, June 7, 2014, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the chapel of Thomas Funeral Home. Thomas Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral service, and condolences can be sent to the family at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com