Mrs. Keffer was born and raised in Fairmont, West Virginia. She was a graduate of East Fairmont High School and Chattanooga State. Shirley was a member of Hickory Valley Baptist Church and the Women’s Sunday School Class. She was retired from the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County Schools.
Shirley from an early age had a beautiful, friendly smile. Anyone who came near her had to smile back at her and any barriers that might exist were removed by her smile and accepting personality. She never met a stranger.
Shirley really loved people and children in particular. She was a giver, not a taker. Many children learned to trust and love her in the schools where she worked including Avondale, Hardy, and Bess T. Shepherd Elementary. Students knew “Mrs. Keffer”. She could not go out to eat at a restaurant without some adult, which turned out to be a previous student or parent, coming up to her for a hug. Several students learned to read because Shirley was able to give them extra time to learn the basics.
One of her favorite places was to be seated in her Sunday school class, the Women’s Bible Study, taught by Jan Jeter. She enjoyed the members of her class even though she was starting a decline in health.
Holiday, she loved them, decorated for every one of them. Gift packages had to be wrapped just right, correct paper and ribbons. Making candies and cookies late at night for many people. If a friend liked a certain pie, she made it for them. She was a giver, not a taker.
She welcomed everyone that her family brought home with something to eat, drink and a welcoming smile. Color, Nationality, Religious beliefs did not matter. She saw a person and treated them respectfully. We all learned a lot from this wise woman.
She was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence Wilson, Sr.; mother, Della R. Dotts; step-father, Joseph Dotts; mother-in-law, Lucille Conley Keffer; and father-in-law, James D. Keffer, Sr.
Surviving are her husband of 62 years, William E. Keffer, Sr.; children, William E. Keffer, Jr of Dubai, Kimberly Keffer of Atlanta, GA, and Sheila Warren of Wildwood, GA; grandchildren, William E. Keffer III, Jack Keffer and Grace Keffer; and brother, Lawrence Wilson, Jr. of Pittsburg, PA.
The family has decided not to have a public visitation or funeral service due to Shirley’s long illness and also concern for the public’s health.
All services will be private.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18