Brent Riley George

Brent Riley George entered into his eternal rest on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. He was home with his wife, Laura Lloyd George, when he took his last breath on earth.

Brent was born in St. Albans, WV on February 28, 1953. He was the 2^nd child of William and Madonna George. Brent was raised with his three brothers and baby sister in Logan, WV.  He earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a teenager and was a star basketball player at Logan High School where he was inducted into the Athlete’s Hall of Fame. He went on to play basketball at King College in Bristol, TN, where the Lord awakened him spiritually and he entered into a saving relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ. He graduated from King College, majoring in Bible and Religion with a minor in Philosophy. While still in college, Brent was introduced to his future wife by his best friend, and basketball teammate, Chip Milner, who was also Laura’s Young Life leader in high school. Brent and Laura married on June 25, 1977 after dating long distance for 2 years.

Brent Riley George both Irish and German in fairly equal parts, had quite a paradoxical personality. The Irish Brent never met a stranger, and with his twinkling blue eyes and ready smile, was instantly trusted as a friend and eagerly welcomed everyone into his heart and home., literally. The German Brent could often seem stoic and unemotional, craved order and neatness, demanded of himself and others an extraordinary work ethic and unwaveringly stuck by the principles that guided his life, particularly a desire to be obedient to the commands of God’s word.  Although Brent did not pursue seminary training after college as was his original plan, his Bible, Religion and Philosophy studies were never wasted. He continuously read and studied Scripture and was sought out for the wisdom that resulted by friends and family over his entire life. Even after dementia stole his memory, he never forgot his Lord, never wavered in his love for our Triune God and his desire to imitate Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit.  He loved worship more than any other activity in his life and consistently led his family toward that same commitment both publicly and privately. He was a man of integrity who was authentic and faithful in all his ways.

Brent found much joy in being outdoors, usually with his hands in the dirt; planting, weeding and cultivating, feeding and nurturing the flowers he would then cut and arrange for Laura and tending to the plants that would produce food for his family.  At one point, when young and single, Brent had dreamed of becoming a forest ranger, high atop a fire tower alone in nature, with his Bible and a good commentary. And maybe a good cigar. But God had a different plan. Instead, Brent would meet an outgoing young lady who liked a crowd and wanted a dozen children.  Add that up and he ended up with a crazy, busy, and fun household filled to the brim with messes, noise, chaos, music and boundless loved. His home had a revolving door that never locked and allowing their blessings to expand well beyond those children with whom he and Laura were blessed to welcome many more into the family. Partnering with Laura, his home became a “L’Abri” or shelter and quite the opposite of his original vision of the solitary life in a fire tower, although the Eagle Scout in him always loved building a “rip-snorting” fire.

Above all, Brent was incredibly thankful for and proud of his children. Each one so uniquely gifted and willing to use these gifts to bless their parents and each other whenever a need arises. In times of trauma or triumph, this wonderful tribe of children and grandchildren rise up and rush in to do whatever it takes to comfort, support, encourage and properly celebrate the happenings in our lives.  Dementia could not diminish his admiration and love for his children and grandchildren and while he might not be able to match a name to a face, he knew they were the arrows in his quiver and adored them all. 

There was one name and one face that he never forgot. His Laura’s. Nothing can match the love he had for her that was evident to anyone who spent more than two seconds in his presence. She was his anchor and he never stopped expressing his love for her, even moments before he took his last breath in this life and entered “the life that was yet to come”, a phrase with which he ended every prayer for as long as he lived. His gratitude fueled her ability to care for him and his prayers sustained her.

Brent Riley George, the friendly, faithful husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, you will be missed until we see you again. You are loved.

Brent is survived by his wife of 46 years, Laura Lloyd George, their precious children, Canaan George Stevens (Travis Stevens), Micah George (Shaunah George), Hannah George Hamilton (Don Hamilton), Noah George (Stephanie George), Lydia George, Abigail George Peyton (Jonathan Peyton), Josiah George (Nicki George), Isaac George, Madonna George, Timothy George, and Seth George, his loving siblings, Steve George, Mark George, Jeff George and Debbie George Blackwell, his cherished grandchildren, Riley Stevens, Luke Stevens, Galilee Stevens, Georgia Stevens, Geneva Stevens, Kade George (Joelle), Brianna Tankersley (Ben), Tyler James (Morgan), Jay Jones, Annabelle Jones, Sawyer Michael, Joshua George, Annabelle George, Samuel George, Chloe George, Cora Hamilton, Hudson Hamilton, Barrett Hamilton, Lucy George, Esther George, Denver Peyton, Lenore Peyton, Shepherd Brent George, Shiloh George, Jude George, Clay George, Asher Dabbs, Phoenix George, and his great grandchildren, Theodore, Arthur and Cameron. He’s also survived by countless and dearly loved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, William Wayne George, and mother, Madonna Riley George.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at their home at 98 Parks Circle, Woodstock, GA 30188 from 4:00 pm until everyone has visited.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at Revolution Church 125 Union Hill Trail, Canton, GA at 2:00 pm with a dessert reception immediately following. The family will have a private viewing and burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests donations to be made to Compass Prep Scholarship Fund:

https://compassprep.networkforgood.com/?fbclid=IwAR0TB37z5-KZFHGQxFZJJSmCAj487UvURUAWMAHlB4gj5SO_ppl7iz8Sp6M