Katie Shirley

Katie Shirley, age 80, grew up in Morton, MS.  Her visitation will be held 9am-10:45am on Saturday, July 2, 2022 at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Morton.  Chapel services will be held at 11am from the Ott & Lee Chapel in Morton with burial in Lorena Baptist Church Cemetery.  Bro. Barron Price will officiate the services.  Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Morton.

Mrs. Shirley was born in Scott County on August 9, 1941.  She loved the Lord and was a member of the First United Pentecostal Church of Morton.  Katie was a strong Christian that served the Lord well.  She loved helping others and lived a selfless life.  Katie loved her family with all her heart and loved the friends she made during her lifetime.  She raised Tammy as a single mom after her husband, Tommy died when Tammy was only 2 ½ years old.

Quoted by Tammy, “ It is amazing to me that mom was able to offer me so much as a single mother, but she defied all odds and accomplished being an exemplary mother who taught me how to love and treat people in a way that would be pleasing to the Lord.  I can’t imagine how difficult raising a small child alone must have been for her, but she did it with such grace.  She loved babysitting her grandchildren throughout their young lives and loved their visits with her at Community Place.  She was a planner and taught me how to be frugal and a savvy businesswoman.  She truly was amazing.  Some words to describe Katie Shirley: kind, gentle, selfless, loving and gracious. She read her Bible often and had a great understanding of the content.  She made our world a much better place. “

She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Lee Huff Westerfield; husband, Tommy Shirley; brother, Nathan Westerfield and his wife, Lola.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Tammy Shirley Phillips and husband, Wendell of Brandon; grandchildren, Wendy Tetrick (Russell) and Tommy Phillips (Bella); siblings, Janet Shoemaker, Janelle Anderson and Houston Westerfield (Helen) and a host of friends.

There is no doubt that the Lord greeted her with, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Memorials may be made in her honor to Lorena Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2271 Hwy 902, Pulaski, MS 39152.