Shirley Hunter Gaudin

At an early age, her family brought her to Manchester, Tennessee; eventually relocating to Nashville, where she spent her formative and early adult years. Shirley graduated from Hume-Fogg Academic High School in 1971, where she received many accolades and honors. For 47 years, she served the citizens and employees of the State of Tennessee with excellence at the Department of Human Services and enjoyed her later years and retirement in Mt. Juliet.

Besides her parents, Shirley is preceded in death by brothers, Brady and Harold Briggs; and former husbands, Jimmy Rogers Hunter and Roger Joseph Gaudin, Jr. She is survived by daughters Cynthia Renee Hunter, Ashley Marie (Aaron) Carson and Erica Leigh (Dustin) Howell; granddaughters, Avery Jean Carson and Elwen Love Howell; sister Angela (Jeff) Overby; former sister-in-law and special friend, Mary Hickerson and a host of friends and other loved ones.

Shirley loved flowers, particularly roses, orchids and hydrangeas, and the family pets (hers and ours) She loved collecting, music and dancing; travel and a good glass of wine. Most of all, she loved her daughters and felt blessed to see them grow to adulthood and start careers and families of their own. Shirley, our Mother, was a strong, sweet woman with a feisty, determined personality. She understood what it meant to persevere and maintain through adversity and taught us by example. Though illness eventually claimed her body, it did not diminish her faith or her spirit; it could not touch her heart or surpass her determination; her optimism; her humor; or her love. Go with God, Momma, and we will see you again in Heaven.

Celebration of Life to Honor Shirley will be held at Mount Olivet Funeral Home located at 1101 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37210 on Saturday April 12, 2025 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. Cards for the family can be sent to 1212 Springwood Drive, Old Hickory TN 37138. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alive Hospice or Pet Community Center of Nashville.

Remember Me In Your Heart

Your thoughts, and your memories,

Of the times we loved,

The times we cried,

The times we fought,

The times we laughed,

For if you always think of me,

I will never have gone

~ Margaret Mead