Ruth Shirley

Ruth Shirley, 92, of the Gratio Community in Obion County, Tennessee, died on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at her residence.
Born on March 11, 1932, in Obion County, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Buyrl Larry and the late Opal Sadler Larry.
Mrs. Shirley was a retired nurse with St. Joseph Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where she worked for 38 years. She was known for her remarkable work ethic, commitment to excellence, and care and concern that she showed her many patients. During her spare time she enjoyed traveling, where she made many friends. In 1997, she moved to Union City, Tennessee, where she became a member of Second Baptist Church in Union City. In 2020, she moved to the Gratio community to be close to her son.
Funeral services for Mrs. Shirley will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Willingham Baptist Church, located at 435 Madie Thompson Road in Ridgely, Tennessee. Officiating the service will be Bro. Chuck Graham and Bro. Eddie Mallonee. Interment will follow in New Haven Cemetery in Ridgely. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 12-2 p.m. at Willingham Baptist Church.
She leaves to cherish her memory one son, Alan Lester Shirley and his wife, Brandy Shirley, of the Gratio Community; and she was “Mama Ruth” to her six grandchildren, Anna Evans, Hunter Evans, Cameron Evans, Brian Thomason, Kyle Thomason and Cody Thomason, and three great-grandchildren, Layla Evans, Bobby Joe Evans and Carson Davidson; and her beloved fur baby, her dog Oscar.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arvil Lester Shirley; and four sisters, Allean Thurman, Deloris Paschall, Wanda Searcy and Peggy Thomason.
Honoring Mrs. Shirley as pallbearers will be Kyle Thomason, Cody Thomason, Brian Thomason, Walt Williams, Hunter Evans and Cameron Evans.
Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ruth Shirley.

The Messenger Online/12.16.24