Mr. Joseph Eugene Surles passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023 after a 35-year battle with prostate cancer. A private, family celebration-of-life memorial service will be held in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. 

Born on July 3, 1929, Mr. Surles was 93 years of age and spent his entire life in and near Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoyed vacationing in Florida and exploring the North Georgia mountains with family and friends. Spending quality time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him immense joy. 

“Joe” met his wife Peggy at West Fulton High School where he played football and Peggy was a cheerleader. Their school’s mascot was the Owls (Joe—class of 1947; Peggy—class of 1948). Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Naval Reserves, worked at the U.S. Postal Service, Lockheed, and held various positions in sales and real estate. 

While attending Baptist churches all his life, he served as a deacon and elder. Joe and Peggy were faithful members of their high school Owl’s Club into their 90s. He was a member of the Kiwanis Airport Club, Prostate Cancer Information Group at the Piedmont Cancer Wellness Center, and was honored by the Relay for Life Fayette County Delta Team as a Torchbearer. Joe spent his last several years of life fighting prostate cancer and spending time with family. 

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Peggy Surles, daughters Beverly (Ken) Fordham, Brenda (Gary) Eller, Elaine (Randy) Miller, and Melinda Bailey Buck (CDR Gregory R. Buck, USN-Retired). Also among his survivors are two sisters, Nancy Moore and Lynn (Ford) Mashburn, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Nannie Mae and Willis Augustus Surles, Sr. and one brother, Willis Augustus Surles, Jr. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Joe’s memory toward the ongoing financial needs of two Ukrainian orphan refugees that his family supports. A GoFundMe page has been set up by his granddaughter, Erin Miller. The GoFundMe link (https://gofund.me/43e078ce) will take you directly to the page set up by Erin.