Raymond Howard Shirley

Raymond Howard Shirley, age 85, of Ranger, passed away Sunday evening August 11th. 

Raymond was born on April 10, 1939, in Ranger, Georgia. Son of the late Walter Howard Shirley and Lois S. Shirley. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Richard Craig Construction. Raymond was a member of the Boone Ford Baptist Church. He was a well-known artist and musician playing both the banjo and the harmonica. Raymond was a true outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, his church, and his family.  

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Craig Shirley, his siblings, Mary Virginia Shirley, Ruby Lee Shirley, Dorothy Mae Dobson, Sara Elizabeth Shirley, and Bobbie Jean Shirley, his children, Samuel Wade Shirley, and Florene Nicholson, and granddaughter, Kristey Hensley.  

He is survived by his sisters and brother, Bettie John Shirley, Jean Nation, and her husband Bud, Ruth Ann Shirley, Robert “Bobby” Shirley and his wife Gennie, and Patricia LaVane Brock and her husband Barry, one son, Gordon Craig, grandchildren, Jennifer Moore, Danny Floyd, Nikki Craig, Joe Craig, Matthew Craig, and Mary Libao. Several other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews also survive.  

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, August 14th at 1 pm from the Boone Ford Baptist Church with Dr. Gary Quarles and Rev. Shawn Nation officiating. Burial will follow in the Salacoa Baptist Church Cemetery.  

Pallbearers serving include Bobby Shirley, Daniel Nation, Chuck Brock, Carter Brock, Abram Wallingford, Cole Nation, and Anthony Dobson. Honorary pallbearers include Jerry Gravitt, Wallace Edgeman, Danny Floyd, Richard Criag, and Wayne Bowen.    

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening August 13th at the funeral home from 4 until 8 pm.  

You may send condolences to the family at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com 

Thomas Funeral Home is proud to serve the family of Raymond Howard Shirley.