LaVerne T. Gurley's Obituary
LaVerne Tolley Gurley, PhD, Educator in Radiologic Science, went to be with the Lord on July 11, 2015. She was born on Dec.19, 1918 in Calhoun City, MS. Dr. Gurley is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Kenneth William Gurley, a World War II Veteran, and their infant daughter, Dorothy Joy, her parents, F. Wesley Tolley and Sarah Hearington Tolley, three sisters, Marguerite Tolley Young (Emery), LaRue Tolley Justice (Everett), Grace Tolley Collins (Don), a brother Cecil Ray Tolley (Nadine) and one grandson Jonathan David Crouch (Vera). She is survived by a brother F.Wesley Tolley (Zudy), a daughter, Charlotte Gurley Crouch (James), and son Kenneth William Gurley Jr. (Brenda), seven Grandchildren, Jimmy D. Crouch Jr. , Sheree Crouch Guyer (James), Kenneth Wesley Crouch, Scott Richard Gurley (Meghan), Kristopher William Gurley (Trisha), Kaye Wendy Gurley, and 9 Great Grand Children, Justin and Jayme Guyer, Jonathan D., Dylan, Skyler, Andrew, Jackson, Jacob and Chase Crouch. She grew up in Calhoun City, Ms. and graduated from Calhoun City High School in 1937. She married Kenneth in 1939 and they moved to Memphis in 1940. She entered the University of Tennessee, program in Roentgen Ray Technology, which later became Radiologic Technology. She was employed by the University immediately upon graduation where she remained on faculty staff continuously for 30 years. She was committed to continuing education throughout her career and was certified in Nuclear Medicine technology in 1963 and Radiation Therapy in 1964. She attended Northeastern University in Boston, Northeastern University in Chicago and Union Graduate School in Cincinnati where she received the Doctorate in Philosophy in 1976. Her career involved administration, education and concurrently research. She authored several publications, co-authored (with William Callaway) the text “Introduction to Radiologic Technology”, (seventh edition). She contributed to other textbooks and professional publications in the field of Radiologic science and served for several years on the editorial board of the Journal of Medical Imaging and Therapy. Among the articles she published, three were on continuing education, an activity she considered a natural part of living. Her research on developing a technique for reducing the radiation dose in Mammography resulted in her collaboration with representatives for the E.I. DuPont Company who refined the technique and marketed it under the trade name “Low Dose Mammography”. She considered her most important research project, her work with scientists at the George C. Marshall National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on computer assisted radiographic image analysis. This project was supported by a grant from the American Cancer Society and a grant from The Southern Regional Educational Board. In 1981, she served as Professor and coordinator of the Program in Radiologic Technology, Department of Allied Health, Shelby State Community College 1981 to 1989, retiring with the academic status professor emeritus. Throughout her career, Dr. Gurley was active in her state, regional and national professional organizations. She was a Fellow of The American Society of Radiologic Technologists, Honors lecturer, 1979 and Life member, 1981. In the Association of Radiologic Sciences she was a charter member, Life member, Fellow and Honors lecturer. In 1984, she was the recipient of the “Instructor of the Year” award from the Tennessee Technical Education Commission (TTEC). She received the award of “Outstanding Technical/Post Secondary Instructor in 1983-84, by the Tennessee Vocational Association. She was nominated for the Thomas Jefferson University honorary degree in 1984. In 2007, she was honored by the University of Tennessee College of Allied Health as one of “35 who made a Difference”. Dr. Gurley cherished the action of friends in her profession who established the “LaVerne Gurley Achievement Award” for the Tennessee Society of Radiologic Technologist (TSRT) and the “LaVerne Gurley Radiographic Seminar ” in the TSRT. She was deeply moved by former student, a 3M technical representative and the 3M Company for establishing the “LaVerne T. Gurley Radiologic Technology Student Award” at Southwest Tennessee Community College. She was equally touched at the establishment of the “Dr. LaVerne Gurley Scholarship Award” at the Methodist University Hospital School of Radiologic Sciences. She was recognized in such international listings as “2010 Women of Achievement”, “International Scholars Directory”, and the “World’s Whose Who of Women”. She departed this world believing in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and trusting in his grace and mercy in her life and in the lives of her family. This belief is reflected in the way she ordered her life. She was a Baptist and in younger years was active as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, Bible school teacher, and was a member of the Woman’s Missionary Union. She joined Central Church in 1986 and was active in the Senior Adult activities. She enjoyed Reading, gardening, visiting with friends and especially family gatherings. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the employees and volunteers of Methodist Hospice Residence for their kind and compassionate care of LaVerne during the last few months of her life. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, July 15 and funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 16 all at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Any memorials may be sent to Central Church Senior Ministry, 2005 Winchester Blvd. Collierville, TN 38017, Methodist Healthcare Foundation c/o Dr. LaVerne T. Gurley Scholarship, 1211 Union Ave. Memphis, TN 38104, or to the donor’s choice.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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