Obituary for Shirley Jean Runyon
Shirley Jean Runyon, formerly of the Cumberland Hills community near Athens,
Tennessee ,went to be with the Lord on October 1, 2022, in Sandy Springs
Georgia, surrounded by her extended family.
The daughter of the late Lemuel and Sarah Haley Runyon and granddaughter of
the late Richard I vins and Ethel Rose Johnson ( “ Momma ” ) Haley , Shir ley was born
and reared in Athens. Aside from a short time spent in California in the late
1940’s, Shirley lived her entire life in Athens until she moved to Sandy Springs in
2015 to be close to her family on her mother’s side.
Shirley was a graduate of McMinn County High School and Tennessee Wesleyan
University where she made lifelong friends, Robbie Ensminger ( “ Tater ” ), Mary
Ellen Kimbrough ( “ Mud ” ), Regenia Lawson Mayfield and many others.
After graduating from college, Shirley began her career at Athens Stove Works,
which later was acquired by White - Westinghouse, Electrolux and eventually the
Frigidaire Corporation. She worked over forty years at the same location in
Athens, retiring at age sixty - two as manager of the parts department which
sup plied repair parts to hundreds of dealers throughout the United States.
Shirley was revered by her co - workers who were always astounded that from her
memory she could provide the inventory number for any part described to them
by a dealer who had called for assistance.
Following her retirement in 1996, Shirley spent much of her time gardening
with her mother, Sarah, and going to the mountains. Each May Shirley spent
three weeks at The Beach Club One on Fort Myers Beach, Florida , with Sarah and
her au nt, Margaret Ann Adams, who was more like her sister since Ann was only
five years older tha n her. After Sarah passed away in 2003, Shirley took many
trips throughout the United States, most often with her dear friend, Sharon
Coffey Offutt.spent her younger years at Keith United
Methodist Church and her adult years as a devoted member of Trinity United
Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Rosa Caufield Circle .
Shirley is survived by her cousins Sheron Adams Barnaby (Robert) and Susan
Adams Thompson of Atlant a, Georgia , and Deborah Rose Adams and Laura Grifka
of Largo, Florida;second cousins Melissa A. Barnaby and R. Todd Barnaby , both of
Atlanta; as well as Todd’s children Haley M. Barnaby (8 yrs old) and Lanier D.
Barnaby (6 yrs old) who were the absolute delight of her life during her years in
Georgia. She is also survived by many other, much loved, cousins.
Visitation will be held from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2022,
at Jerry E. Smith Funeral Home Chapel with the funeral service immediately
following and burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Tennessee ,went to be with the Lord on October 1, 2022, in Sandy Springs
Georgia, surrounded by her extended family.
The daughter of the late Lemuel and Sarah Haley Runyon and granddaughter of
the late Richard I vins and Ethel Rose Johnson ( “ Momma ” ) Haley , Shir ley was born
and reared in Athens. Aside from a short time spent in California in the late
1940’s, Shirley lived her entire life in Athens until she moved to Sandy Springs in
2015 to be close to her family on her mother’s side.
Shirley was a graduate of McMinn County High School and Tennessee Wesleyan
University where she made lifelong friends, Robbie Ensminger ( “ Tater ” ), Mary
Ellen Kimbrough ( “ Mud ” ), Regenia Lawson Mayfield and many others.
After graduating from college, Shirley began her career at Athens Stove Works,
which later was acquired by White - Westinghouse, Electrolux and eventually the
Frigidaire Corporation. She worked over forty years at the same location in
Athens, retiring at age sixty - two as manager of the parts department which
sup plied repair parts to hundreds of dealers throughout the United States.
Shirley was revered by her co - workers who were always astounded that from her
memory she could provide the inventory number for any part described to them
by a dealer who had called for assistance.
Following her retirement in 1996, Shirley spent much of her time gardening
with her mother, Sarah, and going to the mountains. Each May Shirley spent
three weeks at The Beach Club One on Fort Myers Beach, Florida , with Sarah and
her au nt, Margaret Ann Adams, who was more like her sister since Ann was only
five years older tha n her. After Sarah passed away in 2003, Shirley took many
trips throughout the United States, most often with her dear friend, Sharon
Coffey Offutt.spent her younger years at Keith United
Methodist Church and her adult years as a devoted member of Trinity United
Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Rosa Caufield Circle .
Shirley is survived by her cousins Sheron Adams Barnaby (Robert) and Susan
Adams Thompson of Atlant a, Georgia , and Deborah Rose Adams and Laura Grifka
of Largo, Florida;second cousins Melissa A. Barnaby and R. Todd Barnaby , both of
Atlanta; as well as Todd’s children Haley M. Barnaby (8 yrs old) and Lanier D.
Barnaby (6 yrs old) who were the absolute delight of her life during her years in
Georgia. She is also survived by many other, much loved, cousins.
Visitation will be held from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2022,
at Jerry E. Smith Funeral Home Chapel with the funeral service immediately
following and burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery.