Shirley True
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Armuchee, Georgia - Our wonderful mother, Shirley Pharr True, a beautiful woman in all ways whose spirit embraced her faith, family, and friends, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2022, in Rome, Georgia, surrounded by her family. She was always smiling and loving those around her with generous hospitality. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, and all who knew her were drawn to her calm spirit and open heart.
Born to William Pharr and Nell Ashburn in Atlanta, Georgia on October 30, 1935, Shirley grew up in Decatur, Georgia. She married the love of her life, Donald, and together they had two children. Shirley was a devoted wife and mother and was the core of the family's lives as they moved, settled, and moved again with Donald's career advancements with General Motors from Georgia to Michigan to Texas and Ohio. In Ohio, Shirley embarked to discover her own career, earning her Associates Degree from Raymond Walters University in Sociology, then studying to become a Therapeutic Massage Therapist, licensed with the State Medical Board of Ohio. Shirley excelled in her field quickly becoming a sought-out practitioner and mentor. Her clientele included elite athletes and other well-known figures in the community.
Upon Donald's retirement in 1989, Shirley and Donald went back to their Georgia roots on what they called "the farm" in the rolling hills of Floyd County. Shirley took her love for gardening and plants and built a beautiful haven for family to come and enjoy each other and appreciate the serenity and environment she so lovingly cultured.
When she was not tending to her garden, going on walks in the country, or spending time at the pool with her daughter, Vicki, and grandchildren, she would be where the other half of her heart resided--the beach. While she called various places home, one of her favorites was Hilton Head Island. You could find her strolling the shoreline, fishing with her son, Bill, going on new adventures with her grandchildren, or visiting with friends.
Never content to do anything halfway, she always became an expert at whatever she was doing, and she would seek advice with a smile on her face and gratitude in her heart. Those who knew her loved her.
Shirley is survived by Donald, her husband of 65 years; her children William L. True (Lauren) of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; Vicki T. Chatman (Michael) of Adairsville, Georgia; her grandchildren, Zina Chatman and John Chatman of Adairsville, Georgia, and Adam True, Winter Park, Florida. She is also survived by her siblings, Betty (Gary) Farr, Olney, Maryland, Saundra (Lou, deceased) Petroni, Smyrna, Georgia, Neal (Maryann) Pharr, Grayson, Georgia, and Vicki (Joel) Volpi, Cornelia, Georgia; as well as loving nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, on Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 1:00 until 3:00 pm.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, has charge of the funeral arrangements.