Shirley Mae Jenkins Kilgore, age 81, died May 16, at home surrounded by family.
She loved her family. She wanted to spend as much time as she could with her children and
grandchildren. She never missed an event. Her house was the place to be. Many of her
children's friends called her mom.
Ms. Kilgore taught second grade at Plainview/Sparkman School, in Hartselle Alabama. She
was loved by the staff, the parents and her students. She always said she learned more from
her student than they did from her.
She served as a Special Camps Counselor at Camp Sumatanga, for forty years. She called the
counselors and campers there her camp family.
Shirley loved her church family at Central United Methodist Church. Over the years, she taught
children's Sunday school, worked with the youth, was a faithful member of her UMW Circle,
taught a Sunday school class for developmentally challenged adults, and collected the Sunday
school attendance.
She never met a stranger. She thought of everyone as her friend. If she knew you well, she
prayed for you often.
Preceding in death were her parents, Austin and Ollie Jenkins, and brother Donald Eugene
Jenkins. Survivors include daughters, Mary Copeland (Robbie), Dana McLaughlin (Alex), and
son, Tim Kilgore; sister, Gail Kilgore (Steve); sister-in-law, Paula Jenkins; grandchildren, Ryan
and Riley Copeland, Ayla Kilgore, and Hannah Grace McLaughlin; and several nieces and
nephews.
Funeral service will be 2pm, Wednesday, May 19, at Central United Methodist Church in
Decatur, preceded by visitation at 12:30. Burial will follow at Midway Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are, Andrew Foxx, Doug Halbrooks, Doug Humphres, Allen Self, Will Weir, Woody
Woodin. Her pallbearers are a representation of her family, camp family, church family, and her
former students. Ridout's Brown-Service funeral home to direct.