March 14, 1953 ~ October 13

  Shirley Ann Martin, age 71 of Spring City, was called home to heaven on Sunday, October 13, 2024. It was undoubtedly quite a reunion as she embraced her Savior and greeted so many of her loved ones who she had been longing to see again, including her infant daughter, Delores. 

     Shirley, or Cheryl as she probably let you know she preferred to be called if you knew her well, met the love of her life, Jerry, when she was only 14 years old.  Though she was young, she knew a good thing when she saw it and promptly declared she was going to marry him one day.  True to her word, she did just that a few years later when the two were  married on September 15, 1969.

     They couldn't wait to start a family of their own, and they soon welcomed a son, Fairan Jay, and a daughter, Vickie. Jerry and Cheryl were devoted to each other and their family, and they worked tirelessly to make sure everything they needed was provided.  Cheryl was a wonderful mother.  She often said that her kids were her life, and she showed that was true every day.  

      She worked many jobs throughout the years, but she took the most pride in making sure her household was running smoothly. She loved to clean, cook, and do laundry, making sure every last crumb and wrinkle were banished.  She made sure her home was a loving, welcoming place, not just for her own husband and kids, but for so many others throughout the years who needed a safe place to stay for a while. 

     Cheryl loved people fiercely. She was passionate about helping anyone she could.  She always wanted to open a restaurant just for people who couldn't afford food.  She never met anyone she didn't immediately love and was often overheard telling people, “I don't know you, but I love you.”

    Though she loved being a homemaker and a caregiver, her favorite role was that of a grandparent.  She treasured her grandchildren, Ashley, Devin, Aidyn and Gage, and she loved being their Mamaw. She was always ready to listen to their stories, beat them at video games and Yahtzee, or go fishing with them (as long as someone else baited the hook and took the fish off.)  

She had a real soft spot for her furry friends and treated each one of them like the valuable family member they were.  She always said she'd like to see the ocean someday, but she just couldn't leave her animals long enough to make the trip.  

     Cheryl loved Jesus and was of the Church of God faith. She raised her kids to love God and love others, and they will work hard to make sure that's a legacy that continues throughout future generations of her family. Her memory and selfless loving character will live on in the hearts of those who were blessed to love and be loved by her.   

The Service for Shirley Martin will be held at 6:00PM, Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at the chapel of Coulter-Garrison Funeral home. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until service time. A Graveside Service will be held at 9:00AM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Smyrna Cemetery.