She was predeceased by her loving husband, Olin Aughtry on July 22, 2017.
Shirley was born in Rockingham, North Carolina on March 9, 1942, a daughter of the late Elihue and Carrie (Legrand) Covington and step daughter to Elizabeth "Liz" Hamilton.
Shirley attended Union Baptist Church, Reading and was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and grandmother.
Her grandchildren were very important to Shirley. She enjoyed cooking for her family and was an avid gardener, enjoying the benefits of her crops.
Surviving are her two children: Gary L. Aughtry and his wife, Bernecia (Gumbs) Aughtry of Odenton, MD. and Nicole Aughtry and her companion Wayne Brown of Reading; her two brothers: Elihue Covington, Jr. and James Covington and his wife, Patricia; her step sister, Ella Ford all of Rockingham, North Carolina; her aunt, Fredonia Copeland of Reading; three grandchildren: Malcolm E. Aughtry, Khalil I. Aughtry and Simone` S. Brown.
Also surviving are her brother in law, Horace "Ace" Aughtry and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family and great friends.
Shirley was predeceased by her three siblings; Curtis Covington, Willie James Covington, and Beverley Diggs.
A special thank you to John Covington, Caroline McAlpine, Shirley Gaylord, Donna Broad, Hazel Holt, Robert Welborn, Shirley Lopes, sister-in-laws: Rachel Aughtry, Gertrude Lindsay, Gloria Welborn and Dorothy Johnson Aughtry and SpiriTrust Lutheran Visiting Nurses.
A Home Going Celebration will be Saturday August 31, 2019 at 7pm in Theo. C. Auman Funeral Home, 247 Penn St., Reading PA 19601.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 3893 Adler Place., Ste 170, Bethlehem, PA 18017 in her memory.
Online condolences may be made at www.theocauman.com