Mom passed peacefully in her sleep on June 17, 2026, after complications from surgery and only 3 months before her 89th birthday.
She was the youngest of five children, Roy, Peggy, Baldwin, Dorrett (all deceased) and grew up on Little Kew Avenue in Kingston. She attended St. Georges Girls School and, in 1949, attended Alpha Academy on South Camp Road in Kingston.
Shirley married Godfrey Coombs on the 26th of July 1958 and divorced in 1975. Later, in the summer of 1980, she married Henry Bruce Lewis.
Shirley is survived by her four children, Garry, Godfrey, Opal, Stephen (deceased a year earlier); four step-children, Joan, Monique, Raymond, Dale (deceased); daughters-in-law Andrea, Sandra; nieces, Cherol, Diane, Shirley-Ann; nephews, Christopher, Mark, Courtney; grandchildren Samantha, Lauren, Jade, Paige, Sabrina, Sidney, Danielle, Matthew; great grandchildren, Caleb, Ethan, Noah, Silas.
At different stages of her life, she lived in Kingston, Jamaica; London, England; Queens, New York; Smyrna, Georgia; and, finally settling in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Shirley worked for the General Postal service in Kingston, Jamaica before moving on to a position at Texaco Caribbean Inc. Then after emigrating to Smyrna, Georgia, in the United States, she worked for The Hastings Company, Aaron Rents and culminating her career at WH Smith where she retired.
She was a devoted Christian who attended church from an early age growing up in Jamaica and through her travels to various places she called home. She volunteered at various organizations and, one Sunday each month, assisted Sandra in a food kitchen for the needy.
Mom’s hobby was gardening, which she did until she was physically unable to do so. She loved to cook, have a good time and loved to “drop foot” at the sound of her favorite tunes. Mom was always ready for a card game of Kaluki, which she introduced the family to, and, when she played, was always proud of her prowess and ability to “salt” everyone’s hand.
She was strict but fair, no favorites, and everyone would agree that she was not shy to tell you what she thought. She stood up for herself and others.
Mom will be missed by family, friends and all who knew her as she never failed to leave her mark.
Rest in Peace
