Mrs. Elizabeth (Liz & Betty) Zirlott, 87 years of age, from South Mobile County AL, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at SAAD The Retreat Hospice Care in Mobile AL. Elizabeth lived a life of service. She served many churches in the Alabama West Florida United Methodist Conference alongside of her husband. She ministered in a variety of ways such as: feeding homeless or travelers, chancel choir soprano with her beautiful singing voice, led children’s choirs, VBS leader, children’s pageants art designer and play writer, United Methodist Women and Sunday School leader. She was also known for her wedding cakes and as a seamstress for elaborate baptismal gowns and children’s clothes.
After her husband’s death, she continued to serve in various church committee works but felt called to be an encourager to pastors she knew. The spiritual gift of encouragement was not only given to her pastors, but it was generously given to all that she knew or came in contact with from family members to strangers in a check-out line. She worked as an accountant for Burger King Corporation and Sign’s Now for fifteen years. One of the greatest joys she experienced was as an art teacher for both children and adults. She was proud to identify herself as an artist. She was an excellent portrait artist as well as landscape artist. She worked with watercolors, oils, calk pastels, and acrylics. Her landscapes were known to always have a bright red cardinal in them. She was a member of the Watercolor and Graphic Art Society, Mobile Art Association, and the Alabama Miniature Art Society. She was also an avid bird watcher, and she was a dog breeder in her younger years. She loved animals from the time she was a child.
She was a strong woman of faith. She was well known for her love for Jesus and discussing the Bible in various classes she attended. Because she could no longer attend church, for the past year and half she hosted a Bible Study in her home. She loved telling her God stories and bragging on what God had done for her on so many occasions. Her insights and experiences were invaluable to all those who studied the Scriptures with her. The identity that gave her the most joy was Jesus follower, which to her meant to express unconditional love and quick forgiveness.
There was one other identity that she delighted in, and that was first mom and then granny. She prayed several times a day for all her children and grands. Elizabeth leaves behind her loving children, Rev. Dr. Cynthia I. Zirlott of Theodore, AL; Roxie Dianne Zirlott Storm (Gary) of Chickasaw, AL; Mitchel E. Zirlott, Jr., of Theodore, AL; and Elizabeth Genea’ Zirlott Bosarge of Coden, AL; five grandsons: Jeremy Burns, Jacob Lee Fillingim (Miriam), Christopher Duke, Zachary Mitchel Zirlott, and Darrell “Trey” Bosarge (Skylar); nine granddaughters: Tori Duke Rice (Stephen), April Fillingim, Courtney Zirlott Moody (Michael), Victoria Zirlott (Joe Coombs), Shea Goodin, Marissa Goodin King, Kayla Goodin McCants, Liahna Goodin, and Faith Bosarge Guillotte (Bradley); ten great-grandsons, Jacob Kaleb, Dominick Lee, Greyson Michael, Harrison Mitchel, Asher Cody, Archer Cole, Hunter Levi, Casey James, Montrez Antjuan, Kyree James; eleven great-granddaughters, Presley Reagan, Ryley Peyton, Charlie-Kay, Alyssa Mackenzie, Paisley Jo, Zoë Skye, Za’Riah Lenise, Joyce Renata, Yamileth Sugey, Kasidee Jo, and Kilee White (John); three great-great-granddaughters: Mia Kailany, Kambree Jo, Everleigh Renee, and her beloved dogs, Branko, Sandy, Lily, and Zoey and three feral cats she adopted. In addition to her dearly loved family Audrey Zirlott, Marie Murry, Gerald Bosarge, William West and her many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Lloyd Whittaker and Leona Pearl Denton Whittaker; her beloved husband, Rev. Mitchel Eugene Zirlott and daughter Vicky Lynn Zirlott Wise; one sister, Marilyn Bosarge, two brothers, James Darrell Cleveland Whittaker, Lloyd “Bud” Whittaker.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations and memorials in honor of Mrs. Elizabeth L. Zirlott be made to SOS Ministry (403 Alpine Street; Chickasaw, AL 36611). SOS Ministry is a crisis and disaster relief ministry.
Visitation will be held at Zirlott Road United Methodist Church, 14891 Zirlott Road, Coden, AL, on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 10 to 11:30 am, with her Service of Death and Resurrection at 11:30 am, where some of her artwork will be displayed. Graveside Service will follow at Dorlon Cemetery. Dinner will be served for her family members at Zirlott Road UMC Fellowship Hall immediately following the Graveside Service.
