Earvie Lou Middlebrooks

• Earvie Lou Middlebrooks (87) entered into eternal rest on Friday, October 29, 2021.
• A graveside service will be held at 2:00p on Wednesday, November 3, at South View Cemetery: 100 South View St, Monticello, GA 31064.
• Pastor Deck Jackson will officiate.

To share a memory, send flowers, cards, gifts, or if you would like to pass along your condolences to the family, please visit our website at www.HurtsFunerals.com. Thank you. 

The race is not given to the swift nor the strong but to the one that endures till the end. Ecclesiastes 9:11

In the early morning hours of October 29, Earvie Lou Middlebrooks gained her wings.

A Life Well-Lived
Earvie Lou Middlebrooks was born on March 3, 1934, in Eatonton Ga to proud parents Mattie Mae Dumas-Ridley and Henery Ridley. Earvie, or "Shug" as she was affectionately called, had a heart of gold; she was also very passionate about her family. From the beginning, her infectious personality and smile could light up any room, and she brought joy to all those she met.

On September 27,1949, at the tender age of 16, Shug married James Grier. The two were natives of Monticello, GA and would reside there through most of their early adult lives. Shug found herself working at Georgia Pacific for several years; she later transitioned into her true calling as a worker for the community, using her amazing heart and personality to touch many lives. In fact, she was often referred to as "the Sheriff of Monticello" by those in her community—she was so loved and respected that, if someone ever ran into trouble, many would call her before calling their own families. Although Shug did not have any biological children, she raised all of her nephews as her own: Jhonny Ward, Dandy Ward, Lonnie Ward, Willie Ward, and Lamar Ward. In her spare time, when she wasn’t helping others, she loved fishing and dancing.

Shug is preceded in death by: her parents, Mattie Ridley and Henery Ridley; her husband, James Grier; her brother, Son Ridley; her sister, Varginia Ward; and two of her adoptive sons, Willie and Lamar Ward. Shug leaves behind to cherish her memories: three  adoptive sons, Jhonny Ward of Monticello, GA, Dandy Ward of Eatonton, GA, and Lonnie Ward of Cleveland, OH; a very devoted niece and caregiver, Rulanda Little (Antione), as well as nieces Jacqueia Farley and Brenda Ridley; two nephews, Devon Farley (Linda) and Romirez Mathis; her life-partner, Terry Ryles; loving family members Elijah Smith and Serita Robertson; and a host of other cousins and friends.

Hurt’s Funeral Home of Eatonton is a trusted local business that gives back to its clients and community; the Hurt Family and Staff are honored to serve the family of the deceased in this time of bereavement.​

**PLEASE NOTE: Hurt’s Funeral Home adheres to CDC practices and protocols, and we encourage others to do the same.**

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