Barbara Shirey

Barbara Rogers Shirey passed peacefully on June 17th surrounded by her adoring family. Barbara was born January 10, 1935, in Columbus, Georgia to Rosa and Morgan Rogers. It was in Columbus where she met the love of her life and eventual husband, Terrence Bruce Shirey. Given she was known for being an adamant rule-follower, it is ironic Barbara met Terry in middle school while sneaking into the County Fair.

Barbara was the first in her family to attend college, graduating from the University of Georgia in 1956 with honors and a double major. She and Terry were married that year, comically on April Fool’s Day, a never-ending joke in the family. At Georgia, she was in the Redcoat Marching Band, developing a love for football. This served her well later in life when she would attend a high school game on Friday, a Georgia game on Saturday and a Falcons game on Sunday. That alone should guarantee her entrance to heaven.

Barbara’s career, her calling, was as a high school English teacher. She taught English at University School of Nashville, and at multiple high schools in the Atlanta area. In Atlanta she also oversaw the English curriculum for all Fulton County high school students. For over 30 years she inspired students to love the art, joy, and passion of literature. She also served as a role model for the next generation of educators, mentoring them in her kind and patient way and challenging them to honor their profession and hold themselves to the highest standards in their chosen field. She truly made an impact in the lives of others. And of course, she loved to read, devouring the classics, Shakespeare, Danielle Steele, and David Baldacci in equal measure.

Living in Germany in post war Europe sparked her interest in travel. During their sixty years of marriage, she and Terry traveled extensively, logging visits to more than 20 countries. In her retirement, in addition to traveling and adoring her grandchildren she honed her Bridge skills, further demonstrating her commitment to excellence in every aspect of her life. Though Barbara expected perfection from herself, her greatest legacy is the unconditional love she showered on her family. We were all perfect in her eyes, even on our worst day.

Barbara was pre-deceased by her husband of exactly 60 years, and her daughter Ginger Colleen Shirey. She is survived by her son Terrence Bruce Shirey, Jr., and grandson and granddaughter Morgan Rogers Shirey and Madison Anne Shirey. In addition she will be missed by her daughter in law Melissa Madison Shirey, with whom she had a truly special loving relationship.

Our family would like to thank Barbara’s caregiving family, at Abe’s Garden and Alive Hospice. We will be forever grateful for the love and kindness shown to her in the past six years at Park Manor/Abe’s Garden. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Abe’s Garden - Employee Appreciation Fund
www.abesgarden.org 115 Woodmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37205. Private services will be held.