Shirley Tookes was born in Atlanta Georgia, On December 18th, 1951. Shirley was the daughter of Rufus and Mary Jean Askew. She is the sister to her only sibling Reginald Askew, as a child Shirley grew up in the Summerville section of Atlanta, GA. As a adolescent and teenager, she was educated by the schools of Fulton County. She was an extremely proud graduate of Booker T Washington High School, class of 1970.
In 1990, Shirley, along with her then two young children, moved to Rochester, NY. As she resided her family in Rochester, she was able to make everlasting relationships that would last a lifetime. There she worked as an educator for ABC Head start. It was in this position that she would go on to inspire, role model and touch the lives of many families. In Rochester, she was a member of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church for over 20 years. Shirley loved giving her support to her community. In Rochester she volunteered for the red cross, clothing drives and charity walks. Shirley was a giver countless times she would offer shelter, clothing, money and food to complete strangers who she felt “GOD has put it in her heart to help”. Although she made many memories in New York, Shirley was a Georgia girl at heart.
In 2006, Shirley relocated back “home” (as she would say). In Atlanta, she was able to reconnect with family and friends and continued to volunteer her time for others. She was a very proud member of Mount Zion Church, where she so eloquently served as an Usher. It was as an Usher that she found the most pride While in Georgia, Shirley would continue to serve and volunteer for several local organizations.
Shirley is survived by her two loving children: daughter Elshamika A. Tookes-Rea (Garrick) Lithonia, GA, and son Zequa D Tookes, Rochester, NY. She is the sister to her brother Reginald Askew, the grandmother of three grandchildren, Savannah Clark, Lithonia, GA, Zahmar Tookes, Rochester, NY, Zoe Tookes, Rochester, NY and a host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends. Shirley was loved!
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