Shirley Ann (Davis) Splawn

On Friday, January 17, 2025, Shirley Ann Davis Splawn took her last breath, declaring victory over the disease that plagued more than a decade of her life. She is now whole again in the presence of the Lord in heaven, forever.

Shirley was born on Friday, September 22, 1944, at the US Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA, to the late Olin and Nancy Moree Davis. She did not get to enjoy being an only child for long. By the summer of 1949, she had three siblings. Shirley grew up in Salisbury, NC and attended public schools through high school. She worked a variety of jobs, including stay-at-home mom, seamstress, print operator, accounts payable clerk and preschool teacher at Good Shepherd. Retirement from Winn-Dixie led to her dream job – taking care of her granddaughters.

Shirley was a devout Christian and a member of Berry Hill Baptist Church and Stough Memorial Baptist Church filling many volunteer roles through the years. She had a giving heart. She never turned a blind eye to anyone in need, no matter the circumstance. It was such an engrained part of who she was that we will never know all the people she helped through acts of kindness, compassion and giving. Her passion for giving spilled over into leading Girl Scouts and ActTeens for many years.

Shirley was an artist at heart. She could create anything from an image in a magazine or from just a description using any type of medium whether fabric, paint, or clay. Sewing curtains and Halloween costumes were her specialty. Stray animals were drawn to her, and she to them. The number of stray cats and dogs she rescued or found homes is too many to count.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Audrey Wilson (Salisbury, NC) and brother Ben Davis (Gold Hill, NC). She is survived by her loving husband Neil Splawn; devoted daughters and their partners Frances Butler & Tina McAfee and Teresa & Brian Salyers (all of Charlotte); two adoring granddaughters Ally Salyers (Charleston, SC) & Faith Salyers; her baby sister, Vickie Turman (Salisbury, NC); one niece, five nephews; and a large extended family.

Donations can be made to The Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

** Any floral deliveries should be made directly to Good Shepherd Church. **