Shirley was the daughter of Odis Kirkland Shirah and Agnes Kite Shirah. She was raised in Opelika, AL with her two brothers Wilbur and Gerald Shirah. Their family had a farm where they all spent time working growing butterbeans and watermelons.
She attended Central High School and was a graduate of the Class of 1955. She loved attending the many reunions and parties they’ve had over the years.
She attended Shiloh Baptist Church in her younger years where she was the pianist for many years. In 1977, the family started attending Lakewood Baptist Church in Phenix City, AL.
Shirley married the love of her life, Ellis Warren Pope in 1959. They welcomed their only child, Donna, in 1962. In 1965, they moved from the country to the most special street, Coweta Drive, in Columbus, GA. They spent 55 years there surrounded by love and enduring friendships. Due to their declining health, they moved in with their daughter and her husband Dana in September 2020. Shirley and Warren were married for 62 years. She lost her spouse just 7 months ago and now will be reunited with him.
Shirley worked with the Phenix City Board of Education for 35 years where she was the secretary to several Superintendents over the years. She loved her job and made so many friends over those many years. She also served as the secretary to the Columbus Life Underwriters Association for 20 years and Treasurer for Russell County Crippled Children for several years. She was also a member of the Alabama Association of School Office Personnel where she served as secretary for several years.
Shirley was devoted to her family and enjoyed helping plan special family reunions and birthday parties over the years. She loved working in the yard and loved growing beautiful flowers. She loved her daughter whom she doted on and nurtured every day of her life. Her grandson Brandon has been the joy of her life for the last 22 years.
Other than her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Wilbur Shirah and Gerald Shirah and a granddaughter, Kirsten Wright.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna Wright and her husband Dana of Columbus, GA; one grandson, Brandon Wright; Brother-in-law Jack Pope and wife Angie, Brother-in-law David Pope and wife Mary, sister-in-law, Ruth Pope; sister-in-law, Judy Shirah; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Lakewood Baptist Church in Phenix City, AL.
A service will be held on Friday, April 15, 2022 at Striffler-Hamby in Columbus, GA. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM and the service will begin at 3:00 PM. Burial will be in Parkhill Cemetery following the service.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Pope family.