Shirley Harper

Shirley Harper, 89, of Chattanooga passed away on June 1, 2025, at an area nursing home. She was born on March 28, 1936, in Sequatchie County to the late George and Loy Hixson. Shirley received her bachelor’s degree in education from Tennessee Wesleyan University. Shirley taught early on with the Hamilton County School System at Normal Park Elementary and then after her daughter was born, she took some time off to be a stay-at-home mother for Katherine. When Katherine began school at St. Jude School, Shirley returned to teaching and eventually retired from St. Jude.

Shirley’s favorite past time was spent reading and knitting. She was an incredible piano player herself and taught others piano both through school and privately. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and she will be deeply missed by all those that knew her.

She is preceded in death by husband, William E. Harper, Jr., her parents, a brother, Everett L. Hixson, Sr., sister-in-law, Shirley G. Hixson, a brother-in-law, Kyle Smith, and her niece, Laynie Hixson.

Left behind to cherish Shirley’s memory are her daughter, Katherine “Kitty” Paolucci (Eric), her grandchildren, Ryan Paolucci (Elizabeth), Kendall Haselton (Elliot), and Chloe Paolucci, her great-grandchildren, Reese, Arianna, and Giovanni Paolucci and Daisy Haselton, a sister, Gaynell Smith, her niece, Amy Ivan, and her nephews, Everett L. Hixson, Jr., George G. Hixson, and Daniel Smith.

A Celebration of Shirley’s Life will be held graveside in the Chattanooga Memorial Park with Rev. Michelle Hunter officiating on Friday June 27, 2025 at 10:00 am. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Shirley’s memory be made to 1st Centenary United Methodist Church, 419 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com