Shirley Annette Martin, age 84, of Orlando, Florida, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. She is at rest in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.
She is preceded in death by her parents (Woodie and Hattie) and sisters (Joyce and Mary). She is survived by her two daughters and son-in-laws, Robin and John Wilson; Kim Rew and Kevin Popps; nephews, Jim Boone and Wes Brown; grandson, Mike Wilson; and many other nieces and nephews.
She was affectionately called “Aunt Shirley” by friends and family alike. She was also known as Shirl, Shirley Girl, Shirl the Pearl and Grandy (her chosen grandmother name from a movie she saw years ago), and mama, the sweetest name of all.
Shirley went to Boone High School where she was a majorette with her sister, Joyce. She worked at Martin Company for many years, was a Pink Lady volunteer at the hospital, a bookkeeper, receptionist, and her favorite role of all, a nanny. She deeply loved children and cared for them as if they were her own. A lot of those she was a nanny to are now grown with children. As soon as she met someone new, she’d ask if they had children.
She enjoyed being with her family and sharing meals together. Before she had mobility problems, she’d cook and bake for various events and get-togethers.
She was a faithful prayer warrior lifting others up in prayer even during her own struggles. She loved the Lord and would do whatever she could to serve others and bring a little sunshine into their lives. She was a shining example of living out her faith. She loved southern gospel music, especially the videos the Gaither’s did. She filled in as the choir director at her former church when there was a need.
A gathering of friends and family will take place soon to celebrate her life.
Shirley loved being by the water more than anything and her ashes will be spread in the ocean at a later date by her family.