Kathlene Shirly Gordon

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Kathlene Shirly Gordon of McDonough, GA on March 28, 2025. Kathlene was born to Cyril and Mable King on March 2, 1946, in Blue Mountain, Manchester, Jamaica. She was the third oldest of ten children, a devoted wife, and a loving mother.

In 1971, she captured the attention and heart of Admiral Gordon and the two were married that year on November 21, 1971. Together they welcomed six sons and one daughter, but lovingly parented eight children.

In 1986, Kathlene and Admiral migrated to the U.S. with their oldest son with the hope of providing a better life for their family. The rest of their children followed in 1988. Kathlene made the decision to stay at home to take care of the children and eventually went on to pursue higher education. She successfully completed a GED program and subsequently received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from The College of New Rochelle/Brooklyn Campus in 1995. She worked as an early childhood educator in Brooklyn, NY and then in Stockbridge and McDonough, GA up until her retirement in 2011.

Kathlene had a deep-seated faith in and love for God. She served faithfully in the following churches: the Blue Mountain SDB Church (Manchester, JA), the Cottage SDB Church (Walkerswood, JA), the New York City SDB Church (Brooklyn, NY) where she was ordained a deaconess on September 28, 1996, and finally, the Southeast Atlanta SDB Church (McDonough, GA).

In 2017, Kathlene was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with dementia. While these ailments were slowly and adversely affecting her body and her mind, they did not break her spirit or shake her faith in God. Her spiritual connection with God remained intact.

The Lord brought an end to her physical suffering and called her home to be with Him on March 28, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband (Admiral Gordon), father (Cyril King), mother (Mable King), and siblings (Will, Leonard, Herman, and Novlette). Left to cherish her memory are her children (Hughart (Ailene), Ougart (Mercene), Gary (Jessica), Oniel (Kissonj), Jason (Sabina), Theona (Gregory), Barrington, and Raylon); grandchildren (Brianna (Jayson), Marquis (Keona), Kaitlyn, Gabriel, SaVaughn, Aiden, McKayla, Kianna, Ella, Jahmani, Elias, Anthony, Isaiah, Samaiah, and Geneva); siblings (Jim, Vinnette, Tiny, Avis, and Neville); and a host of in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and sorrowing friends.

She will be deeply missed by us all, but her memory will live on in our hearts forever.