Shirley Hall

Shirley Cummins Hall was born on June 26, 1949 to Wilbun Haward Cummins and Betty Louise Cummins in Jackson, MS. On November 3, 2021, Shirley was called to her Heavenly home where she rests fully healed in the arms of Jesus.

Shirley graduated from Florence High School in 1967. In 1971, Shirley married Jim Hall, the love of her life. Shirley was a pillar in both her family and her community. Those closest to Shirley describe her as loving, selfless, and unwaveringly generous. She was a successful businesswoman, influential politician, and an advocate for her community. She had the incredible gift of making those around her feel uniquely loved and cherished. Shirley lived every moment intentionally and with great passion for whatever was before her. She loved her family fiercely, especially her husband, Jim, and their three daughters. Her most treasured times in life were spent surrounded by her family, friends, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at her home in Richland, MS. She was always looking for her next adventure and planning the next celebration. She loved to travel with Jim, and they took many treasured trips with her children and grandchildren, as well as with her sister and best friend, Jan, and Jan’s husband, Doug. Shirley loved the holidays and always went above and beyond to make each one special for her family. She loved celebrating Memorial Day with her Tabor Family in Lobutcha, hosting and cooking for an abundance of family at Thanksgiving, and spoiling everyone at Christmas. Shirley was a lifelong fan of the New Orleans Saints from the paper bag days to watching them win the Super Bowl. Shirley loved good food, tie dye, Disney World, and hosting games of Bingo. In her community, Shirley served as president of the Rankin County School Board for nearly a decade before being elected and serving as mayor of the city of Richland from 1996-2005. Among many other roles and accomplishments, Shirley served as President of the Rankin Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Republican Women of Rankin County, and led a statewide initiative to assist residents in securing voter ID cards. She was a practical, deliberate, and successful businesswoman as co-owner of Hall’s Towing. Shirley loved her home and was a dynamic force in her community. Shirley was a beautiful, talented, and treasured gift to all who knew her. She was certainly greeted with a “well done good and faithful servant” at the gates of Heaven.

Shirley was preceded in death by her grandparents William and Claire Tabor and Alvin and Ira Cummins, her father Wilbun Haward Cummins, and her beloved son-in-law Johnny Bower. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Jimmie D Hall; her mother, Betty Louise Burchfield; her siblings Jan Lemon (Doug) and Troy Cummins (Cathy); her daughters Brandee Bridges (Chris), Bondee Bower, and DeAnn Wright (William); grandchildren Brant Bower (Mollie), Hunter Bower, Julia Wright, Anna Wright, Jaylen Bridges, and Baylee Bridges; great grandchildren Landon, Lyric, Emerson, and Presly Bower; niece Jessica Wilkinson (Lenny), and nephews Jake Lemon (Tiffany), and Josh Cummins (Valerie); and many more wonderful family and friends. Shirley was a doting and loving owner to many furry companions over the years including Dot, Taffy Apple, Magic, Coco, and Kittee. She leaves behind her loving and faithful black lab, Daisy.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 5 from 5:00pm- 8:00pm at the Richland Community Center. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, November 6 at 10:30am at the Richland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Richland First United Methodist Church Building Fund at 250 Richland Circle, Richland, MS, 39218.