Rev. James "Papa" Gurley, Sr.

Obituary: Rev. James Lee "Papa" Gurley, Sr. age 87, of China Grove died Monday, July 22, 2013 at CMC-NE after a period of declining health. The entombment and funeral services will be private. James was born July 16, 1926 in Cabarrus Co., a son of the late James A. and Mary Bost Gurley. He was a lifelong area resident and veteran of the US Navy serving during WWII. James was a minister of the Gospel and an evangelist holding services and tent revivals all over NC. He was employed at W. S. Tyler in Salisbury as a wire weaver for many years until retiring. "Papa" was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He will be dearly missed. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife, Mary A. Broadway Gurley, his son, James Gurley, Jr., his grandson, Lee Gurley and sister, Colleen G. Woodward. He is survived by his daughter, Kay G. Sutton of Rockwell, his son, Jeffrey Gurley of China Grove, his 3 grandchildren, James Dale Gurley, Buddy Sutton and Julie Sutton, all of China Grove and 3 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 3 brothers; Kenneth Gurley of Kannapolis, Donald Gurley of Concord and Paul Gurley of Gold Hill and 1 sister, Doris Hess of Faith. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the ASPCA, PO Box 96929, Washington, DC, 20090-6929 or to HSUS, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037
Visitation: Private

Service: Private

Interment: Private