Donald Wayne Shirley, Sr

Donald was born in Chelsea, Alabama to Robert and Elvie Shirley. He retired as a heavy equipment mechanic with Joe Money Machinery Company and loved serving as a C.O.P. (Citizen Observer Patrol) for Chelsea. Donald joined C.O.P. in July of 2000, earned C.O.P. Volunteer of the Year and the Presidential Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award with 6,000 volunteer hours. He also received the C.O.P. Patrol Commendation Award from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for significant contributions to an arrest along with multiple other recognitions. Donald was a team leader of Maintenance Team keeping the C.O.P. fleet of vehicles operating smoothly and participated in multiple other teams within the program.

Donald loved the lake and he loved fishing with his daughter. He enjoyed classic cars, repairing lawnmowers for friends and family, and restoring old Ford tractors.

He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Dawkins (Greg); grandchildren, Andrew Shirley, Gregory Dawkins, and Taylor Dawkins; brothers, Ray Shirley (Cecilia), James Shirley (Mary), Jerry Shirley (JoAnn), David Shirley (Lisa); brother-in-law, Wayne Honeycutt; and many nieces and nephews.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Lynette King Shirley; by his son, Chelsea Fire Chief Donald "Wayne" Shirley, Jr.; parents, Robert Christopher Shirley and Elvie Zola Kendrick Shirley; by his sister, Patricia Honeycutt; and by his brother, Bobby Shirley.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, the 12th of August 2020, at Liberty Baptist Church in Chelsea, Alabama with burial in the adjoining cemetery. Friends are cordially invited to visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.