Edwin “Ed” Ashurst, Sr., 93, of St. Petersburg, Florida, (formerly of Fitzgerald) died Saturday, February 24, 2007 at his residence.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, March 3, 2007 at Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 Friday evening at the funeral home
Mr. Ashurst was born Sept.21, 1913 in Fitzgerald to James K. and Mittie Ball Ashurst and moved to St. Petersburg in 1957. He was an elevator mechanic for Montgomery Elevator Company for 20 years. Prior to that, he was an electrician for Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. He was a 1933 graduate of Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. He enjoyed singing, playing pool with friends, and riding his jet-skis. He was a former president of the Ben Hill County Singing Convention in Fitzgerald. He was a member of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in St. Petersburg where he served as a Deacon and was a member of the former Symphonic Choir and currently the Senior Adult choir. He was the founder and director of the Harmonaires, and was a member of the Celebration Sunday School class.
Mr. Ashurst is survived by: two sons, Ed “Ted” Ashurst, Jr. of St. Petersburg, FL and Ray Ashurst of Blairsville, GA; one sister, Maelita Handley of Fitzgerald; three grandchildren, Ed Ashurst, III of Atlanta, Robin Hale and Amy Boyd both of St. Petersburg, FL; six great-grandchildren and two nephews: Drew Fuller of Hiawassee and Kyle Fuller of Fitzgerald. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ferne Louise Ashurst.