Shirley Joyce Vernon's Obituary
Shirley Joyce Vernon went to be with the Lord peacefully, surrounded by her family on October 1, 2011, at the age of 80. Shirley was born in Decatur, Illinois on July 16, 1931, the daughter of Leo and Viola Richards. She graduated from Decatur High in 1949 and began working as a secretary at Roach School. Shirley entered nursing school at Decatur Macon County Hospital in 1951 and received her RN diploma in 1954. After working as a nurse, both at Decatur Memorial Hospital and for Dr. C. Elliott Bell, Shirley worked 18 years as a Public Health Nurse for the Macon County Health Department. She retired from the Health Department in 1996.
Shirley married Jack Davidson in 1953, and together they had five children. In 1993, she married Clarence Vernon.
Shirley was an active member of Faith Baptist Church. She loved teaching Bible verses to children at AWANA, singing in the choir, attending prayer group and Bible study. During retirement, in addition to loving and caring for her family, Shirley delivered lunches for Meals on Wheels, assisted the American Red Cross with blood pressure screenings, volunteered at her church, at Northeast Community Fund and at New Life Pregnancy Center.
Shirley is survived by her children, Pamela (Robert) Marshall of Atlanta, GA, Patty (Paul) Martin of Decatur, Doug (Norma) Davidson of Decatur, Penny (Mark) Weaver of Decatur, Susan York of Atlanta, GA, and step-children, Janice (Edward) Swope of Decatur, Michael (Shelley) Vernon of Mt. Zion, and Ronda Vernon of Decatur; her brother, Robert (Rosemary) Richards of Decatur, and sisters, Helen Elaine Curd of Victorville, CA, and Wilma (Jerry) Miller of Decatur. Shirley is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and two brothers, William Richards and Harold Richards.
Shirley will be remembered for how much she loved her family and the Lord; her service to friends, the community and her church.
Visitation will be held at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home from 5pm-7pm on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, and a Celebration of Life immediately following visitation at 7pm. Graveside service will be at 10am on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at Fairlawn Cemetery.
A special thanks to all who provided love and support for Shirley during her courageous battle with cancer; her friends, her Faith Baptist Church family, DMH Hospice, Dr. Velasco and special caregivers, Liz, Carla, and PJ.
Memorials may be made to New Life Pregnancy Center, Decatur, Illinois, and to Faith Baptist Church, Decatur, Illinois.
The family of Shirley Joyce Vernon is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur. View the on-line obituary and send condolences to the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com
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