Mark C. Shankles, Navy veteran and family man, fought a hard battle with cancer and passed away Tuesday, Aug. 21, at the age of 49.
He was born Nov. 14, 1968, to Roberta Gardner and RB Shankles.
He graduated from Hardin County High School in 1986 and joined the United States Navy soon after. He married Carrie Shankles of Fulton, Mississippi in 2009, and together they joined their four children in holy covenant. He was a devoted husband, father, son and brother. He was a wonderful friend to so many. He enjoyed playing the guitar and spending time with his family. He is a hero and an inspiration to all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his father RB Shankles and step-father Tim Gardner, both of whom he loved dearly.
Mark is survived by his wife, Carrie Shankles and his mother Roberta Gardner of Section, Alabama; his sons, Jared Shankles of Savannah and Caleb Shankles of Murfreesboro; his daughters, Seika (AJ) McCroskey of Orlando, Florida and Taylor New of Pontotoc, Mississippi; his sisters, Suzanne (David) Moses of Pisgah, Alabama and Betty Gardner of Charleston, South Carolina; his brothers, Rory Shankles of Section, Alabama, Michale (Jenny) Gardner of Shiloh, Cliff (Irene) Gardner of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Clay (Angie) Gardner of Decaturville, Tennessee; and many nieces, nephews and countless friends.
We celebrated Mark’s amazing life on Saturday, Aug. 25, at 12 p.m., at Love and Truth Church in Savannah.