Marjorie A. Schirack, 89, of Abbeville, died Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, May 20, 2017, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald; the Rev. Jimmy Fant will officiate. Interment will follow in Sandy Ridge Cemetery, Ben Hill County. The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 at the funeral home on Saturday.
Mrs. Schirack was born June 22, 1927, in Canton, Ohio, to the late Cyrille Whitson and Adelaide Davis Whitson. She was a 1945 graduate of Lincoln High School in Canton. She then attended Aultman School of Nursing where she received her R.N. degree
Marjorie served God and His people in several capacities in various locations. She spent time participating in mission work in Canada, Alaska, Japan, and briefly in Scotland. She moved to the Bowen’s Mill community in 1987 as a member of the Fellowship, and lived there until her death. Marj was well known in missions throughout the world as a talented midwife. She delivered well over a hundred babies throughout Alaska, Canada, and the continental United States, most in wilderness areas with no access to modern medical facilities.
As well as being an RN and midwife, Marjorie was an accomplished and talented craftswoman. While living in remote wilderness areas she learned to spin, dye, and weave sheep’s wool, and was able to create fabric to be used in clothing for her family and other individuals in the community. Her husband Tom built a large loom for her and she created a great deal of fabric by weaving with this loom. Many of the handcrafted clothes she created are still worn today, and people across the continent think of her lovingly when they wear them. Her talents did not end there. Along with crafting clothing from nothing but sheep’s wool and her hands, she also became very involved in the arts, and took up painting, pottery, and basket weaving. Following in her brother’s footsteps, she became an accomplished and prolific artist, painting many beautiful pieces of art, as well as learning pottery and creating art from clay. Her family’s homes are beautifully decorated with her creations. In her later years she began to weave exquisite Nantucket baskets. She attended craft fairs to display these baskets, and eventually sold them throughout the United States. She will be lovingly remembered by many when they see her accomplishments and she will forever live on through her art.
Marjorie is survived by four sons: Donald T. & Helen Schirack of Canton, Ohio; Timothy D. & Jan Schirack of Westfield, Indiana; A. John & Julia Schirack of Wasilla, Alaska; and Thomas R., Jr. “Tad” & Christi Schirack of Abbeville; one daughter: Rebecca G. “Becky” & James E. “Jimmy” Fant, Jr. of Fitzgerald; eleven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. Marj is also survived by one brother: C. Richard & Gail Whitson of Willow Street, Pennsylvania, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years Thomas R Schirack.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Pine Ridge Christian Fellowship, 1706 Bowens Mill Highway, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.