CHARLESTON — Shirley Ann Wheeler McFerrin, age 83, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Tallahatchie General Hospital.
Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at Womble Funeral Home chapel with a service immediately following. Rev. Roger Jackson will officiate. She will be laid to rest at Adams Arbor Cemetery near Charleston. Womble Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
She was born December 31, 1940, in Swan Lake to Ovid Gerald Wheeler and Sallie Mae Tolar Wheeler.
She was a longtime member of Walnut Grove Church of God of Prophecy in the Oak Grove community, later becoming Springhill Church of God of Prophecy in the Spring Hill community, where altogether she served nearly 50 years as the church pianist, in addition to filling other roles including Sunday school teacher, youth leader and church clerk and treasurer.
She was formerly employed at Mid-State Sportswear near Sumner and worked for more than 30 years as a seamstress at Rosewood Manufacturing Co. in Charleston until it closed. She was an active volunteer for numerous years at the CARE Closet thrift store in Charleston.
She took delight in visiting with her friends and relatives and doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved the Lord and served Him with all her heart.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Robert Clayton McFerrin Sr.; her parents; a brother, Billy F. Wheeler; a sister, Gladys McLendon; and two infant siblings, Gerald and Cathy.
She is survived by her son, Clay McFerrin (Krista) of Charleston; brothers, Kelton Wheeler (Lucy) of Mount Airy, Maryland, and Bob Wheeler (Barbara) of Hernando; a sister, Mary Jo Norwood of Cleveland; two grandchildren, Brandon McFerrin and Kelsey Bright (Ryan), of Charleston; and great-grandchildren, Harper Rae Bright, Beckett Nelson Bright, Baylor Thomas Bright, and Ryder Clayton Bright, whose arrival is expected soon.
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Pallbearers are Brandon McFerrin, Ryan Bright, Carl Norwood, Joe Norwood, Keith Wheeler and Steven Wheeler.
Honorary pallbearer is Dale Dorris.
The family asks that any memorial donations be made to Springhill Church of God of Prophecy, 1430 Bonner Road, Enid, MS 38927, or to Adams Arbor Church of God of Prophecy Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 5, Charleston, MS 38921.
Condolences may be made online at www.womblefuneralhome.com.
