Shirley V. Shannon

     Shirley V. Shannon, 65, was called Home by her Loving Savior on Monday, December 31, 2012. She was born in Chicago, IL on Nov. 28, 1947 the daughter of the late Daniel Smith and Eva Harris.

     Shirley was a reading specialist teacher with Racine Unified for 25 years, until retiring from Gilbert Knapp School in 2003.  While living in Racine, she was a member of the Wayman AME Church, and was presently a member of Grace Family Church in Port St. Lucie, FL. Shirley attended Bible Study faithfully. While living in Memphis, TN she danced with Ministry of Motion at St Andrews AME Church. Shirley loved to praise her Lord through dance and tambourine.  She loved to shop, travel, and enjoyed teaching and tutoring children in her retired years. She was a member the Racine Educators and the Racine Area Retired Educators Associations.

     Surviving are her sisters, Loretta “Jackie” Howard, and Delphine Smith; brothers, Vernon (Mandy) Lilly and Elbert Lilly; sister-in-law, Zora Thompson; special great nephew, Deonjae Boutwell and adopted niece Vanessa Boutwell; a very special longtime  friend, sister, and confidant, Jo Carol Payne-Harris. A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives, friends and former students further survive her.

      Shirley was preceded in death by her infant son, Clifford Harper; parents Daniel Smith and Eva Harris; sisters, Lueveen (Tom) Dawkins, Audrey Miller, Yvonne Kyles, Cleo (Wendell) Ferrell, and brothers, Joe Lilly, Lem Lilly, and Boo-Peep Lilly.

     Her Homegoing Service will be held in the Wayman AME Church, 424 N. Memorial Dr., on Monday, January 7th at 11:00 a.m.; visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Ernest Garrison will officiate. Visitation will also be at the funeral home on Sunday, January 6th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery.  A special thanks to St. Lucie Medical Center staff and Hyacinth James for their compassionate care of Shirley.