Shirley Ann Medlin

How very incredibly strong you were in your 86 years of earthly life and you showed that strength and resilience up until the time God said, “Come on home, time to rest.” Our mother, Shirley Mabe Medlin known as “Shirley Belle” passed peacefully on June 19th at Moses Cone Hospital after a brief illness.

Mom was married at the early age of sixteen and by the age of nineteen had two children, Debbie Leigh McDowell Gordon and Richard Mark McDowell. What a difficult job that was for someone so young who had lost both of her parents. Mother did a great job in raising her daughter and son. She remarried and later at 34 she gave birth to another son Christopher Allen Hill. She remarried later in life and added a step-son Derrick and step- daughter Tosha. There were many memories made with beach trips, soccer games, and travels. Mom loved her family, their spouses, her grandchildren and great grands.

Mom had a career as a supervisor for most of her 30 years at Duke Power Co. which back in that time, it was very unusual for a woman to be in such a position. But once a “Boss Lady” always a Boss. You always knew what she was thinking because, like it or not, she would share those thoughts with you. We picked with her that there was only one way and that was Shirley’s way. That is what took her through the ups and downs of 86 years of living.

Just recently mom had renewed her spiritual walk and was once again hungry for knowledge about God and His word and the Amazing ways in which He works. Showing you are never too old to learn more about our Savior. For mom to truly have a real relationship with Jesus as her personal Savior, made her passing more tolerable. She can rest now and no longer has to be “The Boss.”

She leaves behind many family, friends, former co-workers, & neighbors that will continue to share and were what made up her life’s story. Her daughter, Debbie Gordon (Tommy), sons, Mark McDowell (Janet), Chris Hill (Kendall) step son, Derrick Medlin (Teresa) and step-daughter Tosha Briles. She was blessed by 9 grandchildren and 10 Great Grands. She had the truest of a life long friend in Brenda Bryant. You are all invited to an informal gathering with a light snack catering celebration of her life on Tuesday June 23rd. from 6-8 at Sechrest Davis Funeral Service in Thomasville. Mom loved to support St. Judes and we love flowers, but request you make a donation to St. Judes in her honor. If you have a memory you would like to speak on at the service, please prepare and if you have any and don’t wish to speak, please write it down and it will be read on your behalf at her service. Thank you all for your time with her and for making her life so full.