Shirley Faye Meadows Tilley, 77, passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025, at home in Statesville, North Carolina. She was a native of Iredell County, born on August 13, 1948, to the late Shirley Delt Meadows and Katy Mason Meadows.
Shirley was and is revered by her family for all of her positive attributes, including her giving spirit. She received her LPN credentials from Catawba Valley Community College, and her RN credentials from Rowan-Cabarrus Medical Center. She then worked the early shift, unselfishly giving to those in her care.
Her devotion was not evident on the job alone. Shirley was active in her church, serving in the Women’s Missionary Union and going on mission trips to Peru. She adored her family, loved to cook, enjoyed daisies, and was, as her family put it, “special.”
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Bobby Clate Tilley; her daughter, Tonya Tilley Lyons (Keith); her brothers, David Meadows (Louise) and Garland Meadows (Pam); her sisters, Brenda Penland and Linda Bowes (M.G.); and her grandsons, William Clayton Tilley and Aaron Keith Lyons.
A service to celebrate Shirley’s life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Rocky Hill Baptist Church in Statesville with Pastor Daniel Melton officiating. The family will receive friends after the service.
Donations may be made in Mrs. Tilley's memory to Rocky Hill Baptist Church, 823 Mountain View Road, Statesville, NC 28625
Words of comfort and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Tilley and her family.
