Senior Superior Court Judge, The Honorable Marvin B. Hartley, Jr., of Lyons, Georgia, died of complications following surgery on Saturday, July 2, 2016, at Memorial University Medical Center of Savannah. He was 83 years old.

Judge Hartley was a native of Sandersville, Georgia.  He attended Georgia Military College and served in the Army as a military policeman from 1953-55.  In 1959, he earned a BA in Journalism at the University Of Georgia Henry Grady School Of Journalism, and two years later, he earned his Juris Doctor from the University Of Georgia School Of Law.  

In 1963, he moved to Lyons, where he started his career with the law firm of Sharpe and Sharpe, later to become Sharpe, Sharpe, and Hartley.  Later, he started a new firm with Hugh McNatt and Bruce Durden.  In 1977, he was elected State Court Judge and later that year, he was appointed by Governor George Busbee to the office of Superior Court Judge of the Middle Judicial Circuit. During his tenure, he served on the Sentence Review Panel and the Board of Governors. He served for over 24 years, becoming one of the longest-serving Superior Court judges in Georgia history.  

Judge Hartley served as President of the Jaycees, President of the Lyons Lions Club, and President of the Lyons-Toombs County Chamber of Commerce.  He was a supporter of the Ohoopee Regional Council of the Arts, the Franklinia Playhouse, the Altama Gallery,  the Vidalia Community Chorus, the Meadows Memorial “Pink Ladies” Tour of Homes, the Paul Anderson Youth Home, and Mercy Clinic.  

Judge Hartley was an active member of Lyons First Baptist Church for over 50 years, where he served in various leadership roles, which included positions of Deacon,  Sunday School Teacher, Church Moderator, Finance Committee member, Building Committee member, as well as various other committees when needed.

Judge Hartley was an avid supporter of the University of Georgia and the Georgia Athletic Association and a recipient of the university’s distinguished ARCH award in honor of “an exemplary life of service to others”.

Judge Hartley is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin B. Hartley, Sr.

He is survived by his wife of  nearly 63 years, Betty Robinson Hartley of Lyons; three daughters:  Lori (Paul) Crawley of Marietta, Terri (Hal) Eisenberg of Alpharetta, and Joni (Michael) Callihan of Winder; and five grandchildren: Brandon Collins, Casey Collins Bates, Sam Eisenberg, Noah Eisenberg and Josh Callihan.

Funeral services for Senior Judge, The Honorable Marvin B. Hartley, Jr., will be held at Lyons First Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at 11:00 AM with the Reverend Dannie Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Lyons City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Stewart Rosier Funeral Service Lyons Chapel on Tuesday evening from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Stewart-Rosier Funeral Service Lyons Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.  
Any contributions in Judge Hartley’s name may be made to Lyons First Baptist Church.

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