She was born in Shaw, MS on November 2, 1935. She grew up in both Shaw and Indianola and attended Delta State University. Ellen worked as a bookkeeper in Shaw and Greenville, MS, before moving to North Carolina to begin a life-long adventure of raising her family and moving around the world. Her husband’s career took her to North Carolina, Georgia, New York, South Korea, Panama, and retirement in Arkansas, Olive Branch, MS, and finally Memphis.
Ellen was an active volunteer in every place she lived. She was a Girl Scout troop leader, school volunteer, served at various food and clothing pantries, and was the Volunteer Director for Army Community Service, while living in South Korea. She was an avid golfer and an active member of Kirby Woods Baptist Church. Ellen was a very warm-hearted and caring woman who loved being around people and always put others before herself.
She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Shirley Turman, of Piperton, TN, and grandson, William Darby Turman of Nashville; sister, Barbara Robinson Foster of Fairhope, AL; sister Beverly Robinson Palmer of Leland, MS; sister Brenda Robinson Parker of Winnfield, LA; and brother, Gary Wilson Robinson of Shaw, MS; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Leroy “Lee” Shirley; mother, Hazel Oneta Robinson Hood; father, Woodrow Wilson Robinson; brother, Wilson Daniel “Dan” Robinson; brother, Alan Wayne Robinson; brother, Jesse Jackson “Jack” Hale, Jr.; sister, Linda Hood Baxter; and brother, Lawrence Wesley “Bo” Hood.
Her Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00pm with the service to follow at 2:00 pm.
Ellen will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ellen’s memory can be made to The Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, or another charity of your choice.
Per the families request Please No Standing Sprays.
