Shirley Ann O’Rork, beloved and devoted Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Shirley was born in Rockford, Illinois to William and Ruby Neal. She graduated with honors from the University of Redlands with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. She met the love of her life William (Bill) O’Rork and the two were married June 12, 1954, in Santa Monica, California.
She is preceded in death by her parents; Sister Jean; husband; and son Steve. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Shan (Terry); son, Brian, her grandchildren, Justin (Kristie), Kellye (Patrick), Jared (Meghan), Caitlyn and Keegan. Shirley adored her 5 great-grandchildren Kaylee, Ella, Kade, Layne, and Neyland. She leaves behind her nieces Carol, Linnea, Cathy, and Patty. She also leaves her nephews Neal, Mike, and Danny.
Shirley spent her career doing something she dearly loved; working with children as an Elementary School Teacher with Briarcrest School System and Shelby County until retirement. She loved and attended Second Baptist Church with her family for 50 years where she sang in the choir and worked with children teaching about Jesus. After retirement, she worked with preschoolers in Second Baptist Parents’ Day Out Program until her early 80’s. Her faith in God was strong and she never failed to share it with others. She and Bill were members of the Gideon’s International. Together they went all over sharing their faith and passing out so many Bibles; too numerous to count.
People will remember Shirley through her bright smile that showed through her eyes, her sweetness and her cheerfulness.
Funeral Services will be held at Second Baptist Church (4680 Walnut Grove Rd. Memphis, TN)
Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. with the funeral beginning at 11:00 a.m. The graveside will follow at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens on Germantown Road. A reception will be held at Singleton Community Center (7726 Third Road) immediately following the graveside.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Shirley O’Rork where Bibles will be distributed in her name. Send donations to: Gideon’s International Bartlett Camp (P.O. Box 34714, Bartlett, TN 38184) in memory of Shirley O’Rork.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the O'Rork family.
