Shirley Ann Rouse

Shirley Ann Harrell Rouse, 81, passed away at her home May 21, 2022, surrounded by those who loved her. She was born on May 5, 1941, to Van and Lucy Wolfenbarger Harrell. She is survived by her husband of almost 66 years, Jack E. Rouse. Shirley was absolutely firm in her faith in Jesus Christ and lived without fear of eternity. She attended Memorial Baptist church as a child and teen-ager and was a fifty-plus year member of Ball Camp Baptist Church. Shirley attended Rule High School and the University of Tennessee.

She is predeceased by her parents and survived by sister, Betty Harrell Goodwin (Bill); niece, Sherri Byrd; great niece, Lindsay Christie (Ian); great nephew Justin Elder (Caitlyn); goddaughter, Angie Rolen Bolus (Chuck); long-time friends, Annette and Robert Miller; Carol Smith of South Carolina, Sharon Graves, faithful life-long high school friends, Judy Rogers, Martha Burchfield, Gertie Moore, and Donna Lehue.

Shirley was an especially social, lovely, loving, and lovable person, traits which led her to involvement and leadership roles in a variety of clubs and organizations. She lit every room she entered with her friendly, contagious smile. Shirley was a fifty-plus-year member of Beta Sigma Phi in Knoxville and Augusta, Georgia, and held almost every office multiple times. She loved attending Beta Sigma Phi State conventions and chaired two state conventions. As a young woman, she was a member and officer of the Knoxville Jaycettes, and was featured in the 1968 edition of Outstanding Young Women of America. Shirley was a member of the Knoxville Women’s Club and the Augusta, Georgia, Women’s Club; served two terms as president of the Augusta, Georgia, Newcomers Club, and was a member of Ossoli Circle in Knoxville. She developed a consuming interest in genealogy which led to membership and leadership roles in the Daughters of the American Revolution (Andrew Bogle Chapter), Colonial Dames XVII Century, Daughters of 1812, Daughters of the Indian Wars, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy in both South Carolina and Tennessee.

Shirley’s favorite pastime was cooking and serving. She collected hundreds of cookbooks and, when not cooking, read them as though were novels. She was gracefully athletic, a beautiful dancer, and a fierce competitor in tennis. She was a life-long animal lover. Every pet she had was her favorite, and she loved every one, referring to all animals as “God’s Little Creatures.” Aside from her own busy life, she also participated in her husband’s activities, beginning with accompanying him on various military assignments, including an extended tour of duty in Japan and the Far East. Later, she was always by his side during his music road trips, business activities, and Shrine events. An inseparable couple, they shared a picture-story life filled with happiness and great friends.

The family will honor Shirley with a Receiving of Friends at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 W. Adair Dr., Knoxville, TN 37918, on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with a Celebration of Life to follow in the chapel, led by Sharon Graves. Family and friends will meet at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 12:45 to go in procession to the gravesite for a Committal Service at 1:00 pm. Serving as pallbearers are Justin Elder, Tony Carpenter, Jimmy Shields, Robert Miller, Rolen Blaine, and Jeff Rolen. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Shirley's name may be made to Grainger County Humane Society, P.O. Box 229, Rutledge, TN 37861. Online Condolences and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.berrylynnhurst.com.