Oct. 31, 1929 – April 10, 2018

 

JONESVILLE — Services for Atla Mae “Brownie” Shirley, 88, of Monterey, who died Tuesday, April 10, 2108, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Lismore Baptist Church in Jonesville with the Rev. Dr. Bill Robertson officiating, assisted by the Rev. C.D. Beard, the Rev. Stan Wyant, the Rev. Billy Sutton, the Rev. Reggie Lisemby, the Rev. Ralph Webber and the Rev. Mickey Gallup.    

Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Church Funeral Services in Baton Rouge.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the church.

Mrs. Shirley was born Oct. 31, 1929, in Derry, La., the daughter of Edward Earl Gentry Sr. and Mary Atla Spillman Gentry.

She was a beloved pastor’s wife and was loved and cherished by members of every church community in which she served — including Cross Roads Baptist in Marthaville, La., Christian Harmony Church in Natchitoches, La., New Era Baptist Church in Monterey, Lismore Baptist Church in Monterey, Robeline Baptist Church in Robeline, La., Turkey Creek Baptist Church in Winnsboro, La., and Magnolia Baptist Church in Winnsboro.

Mrs. Shirley was the epitome of a pastor’s wife.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. C.F. “Red” Shirley; her parents; an infant son, Richard Kent Shirley; and one brother, E.E. “Son” Gentry.

Survivors include three sons, David Shirley and wife, Melissa, of Baton Rouge, James Shirley and wife, Terri, and Terry Shirley and wife, Sheila, all of Winnsboro; one daughter, Linda McMillin and husband, Gilbert, of Monterey; 10 grandchildren, Anita Murray and husband, Curtis, Jason McMillin, Karla McHand and husband, Scott, Shana Veade, Landon Shirley, Kayla Shirley, Kevin Shirley, Travis Shirley and wife, Betsy, Crystal Strebeck and husband, Layton, and Caroline Keeth; seven great-grandchildren, Harlie Murray, Rylie Murray, Christian McHand, Hannah Veade, Mollie McHand, Emmory Strebeck and Kamrie Strebeck; a special daughter, Crystal Lisemby and husband, Reggie, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and their children, Jacob, Faith, Judah and Gideon; two sisters, Lucy Jennings and Evelyn Sutton, both of Shreveport; one brother, Robert Gentry and wife, Laurie, of Many, La.; sister-in-law, Lorraine Gentry of Bossier City, La.; and a number of nieces, nephews, family and friends who were honored to call her “mama” or “memaw” or simply “Aunt Brownie.”

Pallbearers will be Curtis Murray, Jason McMillin, Scott McHand, Landon Shirley, Kevin Shirley, Layton Strebeck, Travis Shirley and Christian McHand.

Honorary pallbearers will be nephews and nephews-in-law.

Memorials may be made to the Lismore Baptist Church building fund or to the Gideons International.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful, compassionate employees of The Columns Nursing Home and Christus Hospice and Palliative Care for their excellent care of our loved one.