battling cancer (she won) and Parkinson's disease, she laid down her gloves on
7/11/2021. She was a creative and highly skilled maker of all things yarn, fabric,
and jewelry. Shirley was married to Donald Lawson Pirkle, had seven children,
twelve grand and great grandchildren.
Shirley graduated from Knoxville Central High School in 1954 and attended Fort Sanders School of Nursing, finishing her training at Palm Beach Jr. College. She worked as an RN for many years, was Assistant Director of Nursing at Hillcrest Nursing home before retiring from nursing in the ’80’s to do the bookkeeping for the family business and to spend time with her grandchildren.
Her parents were Ray Finley(d) and Margaret Perry Finley(d). She had 3 siblings, Judith Finley Graham, Michael Finley, and David Finley (d).
Shirley and Don had their first date on Valentines Day 1958. They were married on June 23 of that same year. Her son Anthony “Tony” Pirkle (d) (Wanda) made them an instant family of three. Over the course of the next twenty years the family expanded to include Donna Kimble (David Kimble), Cissy Pirkle, Alexander Pirkle(d), Sarah Pirkle (Jeff Barbra), Andrew Pirkle (Nita Dunn), Tracy Pirkle (Greg Swift). Because Don and Shirley had so much love to share, the family opened arms to include Lisa Williams and Rob Williams. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Casey (Walker), Erin (Jeff),Kaine (Brooke), Cooper (Brittany), Owen, Cinna, Nadia, Maxwell, Cecilia, Adriana, Finley, and Charli.
Shirley was a very kind, gentle, and determined person who was loved by all who knew her. She loved to travel, loved music, loved to dance, especially with Don. She left us with so many good memories, beautiful handmade keepsakes, and a love of music, especially The Bee Gees. She was a wonderful mother and friend who was deeply loved by her family. Rest in peace Shirley Ray Finley Pirkle
amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. We miss you so much.
A Celebration of Life service for both Shirley & Don will be held Aug. 15th at 1:00 pm at Central Collective. In lieu of flowers, family asks for donations to rocksteadyboxing.org
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