White, Shirley Coleman, 88 of Sebastian, Fla., formerly of Valrico, Fla., native of Jacksonville, Fla., born December 4, 1933, loving wife of Jack E. White, went home to be with her Lord on January 1, 2022, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Shirley was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1951 and was a majorette during her junior and senior years. Jack and Shirley were married in Jacksonville, Fla. in 1953 and they settled in Tampa, Fla. where they lived more than 40 years before moving to Valrico, Fla. in retirement. They were faithful members of Bayshore Baptist Church in Tampa for more than 55 years.
Shirley is survived by her son, J. Earl White, Jr. (Lynn) of Woodstock, Ga.; daughter, Carolyn White Spencer (Jim) of Sebastian, Fla.; son, Bruce A. White of Charlotte, N.C.; granddaughter, Rebecca Anne White of Winter Park, Fla.; sister, Nita Buchanan of Atlantic Beach, Fla. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack, her parents, Leonard Jefferson Coleman and Lillian Pearl Johnson Coleman; sister, Barbara C. Richardson; stepmother, Vivian P. Coleman; and her mother-in-law, Myra S. White.
Shirley was dedicated to her family as a mother and wife, and wanted to be remembered as an encourager to her children. She worked as a Legal Secretary for seventeen years. Shirley held several volunteer positions over the years for Bayshore Baptist Church; in the flower ministry; working in the church office answering the phones; singing in the Church Choir; and was an Ordained Stephen Minister. She loved music of all kinds but especially classical and sacred music and had a passion for playing the piano. Shirley touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed. The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care provided by VNA Hospice of Indian River County, Fla.
If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to Bayshore Baptist Church, 3111 Morrison Avenue, Tampa, FL 33629 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
A Graveside service will be held 3 p.m. Friday, January 7, 2022 in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4228 E. Lake Ave., Tampa, FL 33610.
