PLAINS — Mrs. Mervin Shivers Fennessy, age 97, of Americus, Georgia, died peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 1, 2017, at Sumter Retirement Village in Plains.

Funeral services are planned for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4 in the chapel of Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St. in Americus, Georgia, with the Rev. Hugh DeLoach and Pastor Stan Ballew officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive guests from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St.

For those wishing to do so, memorial contributions are suggested to a charity of one’s choice.

Mrs. Fennessy was born on Aug. 10, 1919, in Dooly County, Georgia. She was the daughter of A. J. and Bufa Shivers. Her dreams were to be a mother and teacher, and she accomplished both. She was an institution, dedicating her life to her family and teaching the next generations.

She was a member of Central Baptist Church in Americus.

Mrs. Fennessy graduated from Americus High School in 1936, and continued her education at Georgia Southwestern College and Northwestern University. In 1942, she graduated from the Georgia Teacher’s College in Statesboro, which is now Georgia Southern. In her early career, she taught business courses at Armstrong Jr. College in Savannah. Mrs. Fennessy taught speech at Americus High School for 30 years, from 1951-1981.  After retirement, she continued to contribute to the education of young people by reading to elementary students at Southland Academy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Paul Fennessy, and brother, Gammage Shivers, both of Americus.

She is survived by her sister, Nina Lott of Nicholls; daughter and son-in-law, Suzann and Ronald Wilson of Brunswick; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Martha Ann Fennessy of Plains; and seven grandchildren: Tom Wilson, Dana Murray, Elizabeth Milburn, Allison Peck, John Fennessy, Rebecca Easlic, and Jennifer Rogers.  She is also survived by fifteen great-grandchildren, two nieces and two nephews.

To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com

Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mrs. Mervin Shivers Fennessy.