Shirley Donn Koch

Shirley was born on October 13, 1936 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father died when she was an infant. Her mother was Lois (Brenneman) Donn. Because of the death of her father, she and her mother lived with her maternal grandparents and two uncles where Shirley benefited from a multi-generational household. She excelled in school, always at the top of her class. She was a gifted pianist.

The most significant event in Shirley's life happened at age eight. Her family had moved to a new neighborhood, Mount Washington. A neighbor invited young Shirley to their church but failed to mention there were two churches side by side. Shirley went to church but mistakenly went to Mount Washington Baptist Church instead of the neighbor's church. God was in it! Mount Washington was where she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized.

She continued to worship there as a child and then into her teen years. Mount Washington is where she met John Koch who was in the youth group. They were married on April 14, 1956. By the time they were married, Shirley was church pianist and organist, and John was a Sunday School teacher and Deacon.

They had two children, Kenneth Edward and Joyce Elaine. Six grandchildren were born: Ken Koch, Jr., Katie Plumb, Audrey M. Koch, Lauren Wiseman, Abby Koch, and Mitch Falconer. Six great grandchildren were born: Ethan Koch, Hadley Koch, Liam Wiseman, Audrey E. Koch, Amelia Koch, and James Koch. All of the family presently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.

John worked for Phillips & Jacobs for over 30 years. In 1980, they moved to Dallas, Texas. They remained there for the next 14 years. Shirley was again church pianist and organist at Galilean Baptist Church. John was a Sunday School teacher and Deacon. In 1994, they moved to Greenville, South Carolina. Shirley's greatest callings were wife of John, mother to Ken and Joyce, and home manager.

She is survived by her children, Ken (Mary) Koch, Sr., and Joyce (Jerry) Hoffman; five grandchildren, Ken (Jennifer) Koch, Jr., Katie (Ben) Plumb, Lauren Wiseman, Abby Koch, and Mitch Falconer; and her great grandchildren, Ethan Koch, Hadley Koch, Liam Wiseman, Audrey E. Koch, Amelia Koch, and James Koch; Virginia Khon Whitney of Martinsburg, WV.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John E. Koch, and a granddaughter, Audrey M. Koch.

The funeral service is Friday, October 28, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Memories will be shared by a selection of family members, and Ken Koch, Sr. will give the eulogy. Receiving of friends will be prior to service at 9:00 AM. Internment is at Woodlawn Memorial Park immediately after the funeral.

Pallbearers are Ken Koch, Sr., Ken Koch, Jr., Jerry Hoffman, Mitch Falconer, Ben Plumb, and Ethan Koch. Honorary pallbearer is Liam Wiseman.

Memorials and gifts can be made to Morningside Baptist Church.

A special thank you goes to Pruitt Health & Hospice for their assistance and kindness during Shirley's last days.

Shirley's favorite verse and first verse ever memorized was John 11:25. "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live...'." She would have no greater joy than to find out you met Jesus because of her testimony.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeywoodlawn.com for the Koch family.