Atla Mae “Brownie” Shirley

Funeral services for Mrs. Atla Mae “Brownie” Shirley 88, of Monterey will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Lismore Baptist Church in Jonesville, Louisiana, conducted by Dr. Bill Robertson, assisted by Bro. C. D. Beard, Bro. Stan Wyant, Bro. Billy Sutton, Bro. Reggie Lisemby, Bro. Ralph Webber and Bro. Mickey Gallup. Visitation will be Friday, April 13, 2018 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the church. Interment will follow in Lismore Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Church Funeral Home in Baton Rouge. Mrs. Atla Mae “Brownie” Shirley passed from this life to her eternal home on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. She was born in Derry, La on October 31, 1929. She was a beloved pastor’s wife and was loved and cherished by members of every church community in which she served. These included Cross Roads Baptist, Marthaville, Louisiana; Christian Harmony Church, Natchitoches, Louisiana; New Era Baptist Church, Monterey, Louisiana; Lismore Baptist Church, Monterey, Louisiana; Robeline Baptist Church, Robeline, Louisiana; Turkey Creek Baptist Church, Winnsboro, Louisiana; and Magnolia Baptist Church, Winnsboro, Louisiana. Mrs. Shirley was the epitome of a pastor’s wife. She is preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. C. F. “Red” Shirley; her parents, Edward Earl Gentry Sr and Mary Atla Spillman Gentry; an infant son, Richard Kent Shirley; and her brother, E. E. “Son” Gentry. Survivors left to cherish her memory are son David Shirley and wife Melissa of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; daughter Linda McMillin and husband Gilbert of Monterey, Louisiana; son James Shirley and wife Terri, of Winnsboro, Louisiana; and son Terry Shirley and wife Sheila, of Winnsboro, Louisiana. Grandchildren include Anita Murray and husband Curtis, Jason McMillin, Karla McHand and husband Scott, Shana Veade, Landon Shirley, Kayla Shirley, Kevin Shirley, Travis Shirley and wife Betsy, Crystal Strebeck and husband Layton, and Caroline Keeth. Great-grandchildren are Harlie Murray, Rylie Murray, Christian McHand, Hannah Veade, Mollie McHand, Emmory Strebeck and Kamrie Strebeck. She is also survived by a “special daughter”, Crystal Lisemby and husband, Reggie of Chattanooga, Tn, and their children, Jacob, Faith, Judah and Gideon. She leaves a sister, Lucy Jennings of Shreveport, Louisiana; a brother, Robert Gentry and wife Laurie, of Many, Louisiana; a sister Evelyn Sutton, of Shreveport, Louisiana; and a sister-in-law, Lorraine Gentry of Bossier City, Louisiana. She leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends who were honored to call her “Mama” or “Memaw” or simply “Aunt Brownie.” Active Pallbearers will be Curtis Murray, Jason McMillin, Scott McHand, Landon Shirley, Kevin Shirley, Layton Strebeck, Travis Shirley and Christian McHand. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews and nephews-in-law. Memorials may be made to the Lismore Baptist Church building fund or to the Gideons International. The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful, compassionate employees of The Columns Nursing Home and Christus Hospice and Palliative Care for their excellent care of our loved one. Arrangements by Church Funeral Services, Baton Rouge 225-293-4174 www.churchfuneralservices.com