Shirley was born March 7, 1949, in Fayette County, Alabama to Jeff and Gene Hayes. She was the oldest of six children and was the Matriarch of the family after the death of her mother. She grew up in the Semmes/Wilmer community and was a member of the class of 1966 at Mary G. Montgomery High School.
Shirley was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling with her books on tape. Her family later moved to Birmingham with her employment at Regions Bank. She retired from the Regions Corporate Training Department. She then worked at Birmingham Water Works as a Supervisor before retiring and returning to Mobile.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Samuel “Sam” Dennis Lyles, Sr. Sam was the love of her life; she always said, “she chased him until he caught her”; her parents Jeff and Gene Hayes and brother Jeff “Buddy” Hayes.
She loved her family dearly and had a very generous heart for anyone in need. She had a strong Christian faith and a member of Crawford Baptist.
She is survived by her son, Samuel Dennis Lyles, Jr; four sisters, Anice Wheeler (James, deceased), Wylie, TX; Danette Dearmon (Roger), Saraland; Vanessa Harley (Bill), Wilmer; Gail Waters (Rusty), Mobile. Many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends, always known as Aunt Shirley by all that knew her.
Visitation will be Monday April 21, 2025, at Radney Funeral Home Saraland from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday April 22, 2025, at 11:30 a.m from Radney Funeral Home Saraland with Rev. Lance Nicholson, officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort Alabama.
