Georgia Jean Pumfery Nagle, 95, of Maryville, Tennessee passed away on March 22, 2025. Georgia was born on Dec. 15, 1929 in South Haven, MI, one of 5 children to Lewis and Edith Wheeler Mitchell.
Georgia graduated from South Haven High School in 1947. She married Richard Pumfery in 1948 and together they had 4 children. In 1960, while raising those 4 kids, she entered BH JC which later became Lake Michigan College. After earning her associate’s degree there she enrolled in WMU and earned her teaching degree. She taught at Watervliet North Elementary School until her retirement July 1, 1992. After retiring from public education she taught for a year at Grace Christian School in Watervliet. Georgia loved kids and loved teaching them. Her husband Richard passed away in 1984.
In 2003 she married Howard Nagle and lived in Greenville, SC for 10 years until his death. She returned to her home state of Michigan and lived very happily in New Buffalo. While there she adopted a special little dog that she named Cinnamon who gave her so much joy. As her health declined in 2023 she moved to Tennessee to be near her daughter, Janice, and her family.
Some of her happiest times were family gatherings and when she was outdoors, picking blueberries on her in-law’s farm, gardening, or camping. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, growing house plants, baking and sharing those baked goods and helping others however she could.
Most important in her life was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and wherever she lived she was sure to attend a church that preached the Word and looked for opportunities to share about Jesus. As a younger woman she was a vocal soloist as well as a choir member. While she played piano “by ear,” she could not read music. She and her favorite cousin, LaVerta, sang yodeling duets. She served in children’s ministries at church and loved preparing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for the Samaritan’s Purse ministry. She was very generous in giving to a number of ministries.
Georgia is survived by her children, Sharon (Jerry) Rush, Janice Arnold and Kim Pumfery. Her son, Daniel Pumfery passed away in 2022. His wife, Ronee Pumfery also survives. Her grandchildren are Scott (Xiaohong) Rush, Christopher (Cindy) Rush, Marc (Karen) Arnold, Jodi Arnold, Derek (Ashley) Arnold, Danielle Pumfery, Cameron Pumfery, Jamie (Paul) Gilliam, Stephanie (Ken) Sergott, and 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Nella Joyce Mitchell and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Georgia in death are her first husband Richard Pumfery, second husband Howard Nagle, son, Daniel, a sister, Laura (Charles) Willett, three brothers, Lewis (Ila) Mitchell, Terrance (Clara) Mitchell, and Ronald Mitchell.
Cremation has taken place and burial will be in South Haven. A memorial will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse. John 3:16
Comments