Shirley Jean Gordon

Shirley Jean Gordon, 83, of Chattanooga, was allowed by God to fall asleep on Friday, October 25, 2024, in a local hospital. She is now resting in Him awaiting his return. God will raise her from mortal to immortal. What a wonderful family reunion it will be! Until then, we will cherish the wonderful life lessons, the memories, the love and care she consistently gave. On May 8,1941, Shirley Jean Yates was born to Mollie Mae and Garfield Floyd Yates. She was one of ten children born to this union. In 1950 at 9 years old, Shirley joined the 8th Street Seventh Day Adventist Church, now known as Orchard Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, under the guidance of her mother Mollie Mae Yates. Shirley attended the Chattanooga Public School System and received her general education diploma from Howard High School. She also attended and graduated from Bryan College. She received many awards and certifications in the educational field. Shirley was a Teacher’s Aid in the Chattanooga Public School system, Director of Nutrition for many years at Avondale SDA school, a private in home and facility caregiver for the elderly, Hospitality leader at Orchard Park SDA church for many years, among other duties she thoroughly enjoyed. Shirley had a very caring, nurturing, and giving spirit, often inviting family, friends and strangers to live, rest, and eat in her home all while devoting her care to her special needs daughter Carla. One Sabbath, she fed around 60 people from the organization NAPS, The National Association for the Prevention of Starvation. This wasn’t part of her day’s plan, but she readily welcomed them into her home, prayed that God would bless and stretch the food, and He did! She opened her home to several grandkids, nieces, nephews among many others. There wasn’t a need that she didn’t try to fulfill. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Garfield Floyd and Mollie Mae Yates; son, Floyd Malcom Smith; daughter, Carla Dionne Gordon; granddaughter, Marie Antionette Ponder; brothers, William (Joyce) Yates, David Yates, and James (Frankie) Yates; sisters, Alma (Clifford) Sanders, Lois (William Jr.) Scales, and Allease Yates. She leaves to cherish her memory sons, Reese Smith Jr. and Michael Smith; daughters, Ivy M. Powell, Cheryl Simpson, Lynn Mears, and Lisa Gordon; brothers, Thomas (Ocie) Yates and Brennan (Vivian) Yates; sister, Evalyne (Artie) Davis; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Shirley will lie-in-state on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 9 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel with Pastor Troy Brand as the Eulogist. Burial in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.

Shirley Jean Gordon

May 8, 1941 - October 25, 2024