Shirley Starnes English

Shirley Starnes English, age 86, passed away on November 22, 2021 at Kelly’s Family Home Care in Wake Forest. Born on September 1, 1935 in Asheville, NC; she was the daughter of the late James and Allie Mae Starnes.

At 5 foot 9 inches Shirley was a talented basketball player at Sand Hill High School and a lifelong basketball fan. While in high school, through friends, she met a boy named Hal, who played football at neighboring Mars Hill High School. Shirley and Hal began dating in 1953 and the rest is history. Shirley and Hal were married on February 5th, 1955. They attended Mars Hill College together.

In January 1959 Shirley and Hal moved to Raleigh and joined First Baptist Church in downtown Raleigh. Shirley was active in the Church community where she volunteered teaching Sunday School, working in the Church library and the nursery. They remain members of First Baptist today.

Shirley was an avid reader and kept a log of the thousands of books she read throughout the years. Shirley also loved to play bridge and was a member of a Raleigh bridge club. One of Shirley’s favorite pastimes was antiquing and shopping for bargains with her best friends.

Being a Wife, Mom, Mimi and a friend were the most important things in her life and she excelled in all of these roles. Shirley made every day special in the lives of her family and her close circle of friends. She always had a smile, a kind word and a warm embrace for those that needed it.

Shirley is lovingly remembered by her husband of 66 years: Hal Lester English; by her three sons: Mark English and wife Cathy, of Raleigh NC; Matt English, of Raleigh, NC; Todd English of Raleigh NC; grandchildren: Robby English and Laura English; and many extended family and friends.

Family will receive friends on Thursday afternoon, December 2nd, 2021 from 12:30 to 2:00 PM at Mitchell Funeral Home, with a Funeral Service to begin at 2 PM in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. Flowers will be graciously accepted or contributions to a charity or church of your choice.

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