George Calvin Shields

George Calvin Shields, 78, formerly of Louisville, passed away Monday, August 21, 2023, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center with family at his side.

George was born in Maryville on September 9, 1944, to Pleasant Calvin Shields and Georgia (“Georgie”) Rogers Shields of Wildwood. He was of the Baptist faith and grew up attending Mount Lebanon Baptist Church. He graduated from Porter High School in 1962 and Nashville Auto-Diesel College in 1963. He retired from Alcoa in 2007 with 33+ years of service; he was a member of United Steelworkers Local 309 and the Alcoa 25-Year Club.

George was a descendant of the Cades Cove community, a founding member of the Cades Cove Preservation Association, and a supporter of the Cades Cove Museum. In addition to sharing his reverence for the Cove and its history, he loved camping and skiing on Chilhowee Lake with his daughter and camping, bicycling, hiking, and backpacking in the Smokies with his son. A mechanic and motorsports fan, earlier in his career George enjoyed servicing and selling cars and auto parts (he could talk cars with anyone). His automotive hobbies included dirt track and drag racing, motorcycling, off-roading, and restoring and collecting award-winning Ford Mustangs; he was a member of several Mustang clubs. He also loved dogs and horses, especially Tennessee Walking Horses, and was a skilled do-it-yourselfer and rose gardener.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald.

George is survived by his wife, Sharon Hurst Shields; daughter from his first marriage, Terri Shields Bobo (William Jr.); son, George (“J.R.”) Shields II (Jordan); grandchildren, William Bobo III (Kristin) and Dawn Bobo; one great-granddaughter and four great-grandsons; several cousins, including John Rogers, Roy Rogers, Faye Rogers Stafford, Doris Rogers, Marie Rogers McMahan, and Sam Rogers; and many friends.

George’s family invites friends to visit Smith Funeral & Cremation Service on Thursday, August 24, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or Friday, August 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to pay their respects and sign his register book. A private burial service will be held in Clark’s Grove Cemetery with Rev. Tony Morton officiating.

George’s family would treasure notes and remembrances from those who knew him; these may be sent to: georgeshieldsfamily@gmail.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Cades Cove Preservation Association, P.O. Box 213, Alcoa, TN 37701. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com