Shirley McKemy Collins passed away on May 1, 2026 peacefully in her home surrounded by her family at the age of 88.
She was born on February 8, 1938, to Claire and Dicey, and became the fourth of six children. Growing up in Charleston, WV, she enjoyed bonding with her siblings, helping her parents, and being a majorette. She graduated from Stonewall Jackson Highschool in 1956 and later became secretary at Dunbar Middle School where she connected with many people and shared her compassion for others. Later in life she dove into her role of wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, taking care of all the hearts in her family.
Shirley was the matriarch of her family and truly the best woman you would ever know. The love she had for her family was powerful and will be felt from the Heavens. They were the greatest love of her life and the reason she always had a smile on her face, brighter than the sun, even in her final days. Her greatest wish in life was for her family to be happy. She loved spoiling them by going shopping at the mall, cooking for them, and making sure they had everything they needed and more. Her love made the world a better place for all of those who were lucky enough to experience it.
Shirley was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Nitro, WV, where she made many great friends who enjoyed weekly lunches at Tudors and sewing club together. Shirley was a member of Eastern Star, something she was proud to be a part of.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Mildred, Curtis, Harold, and Ruth, husband of 65 years, Pat, and her great grandson, Knox.
She is survived by her sister Judy; children Sheri (Jamie) and Greg (April); grandchildren Katie (Travis), Cindy, Christy (Todd), Chadd, Tucker, and Molly; great grandchildren Ariana, Carolina, Ivy, Avery, Atlas, and Colson; niece Linda (Ralph) and other family and friends who made her life special including Tink, her beloved chihuahua, who stayed by her side through her illness and long before.
Services for Shirley will take place at Cooke Funeral Home in Nitro on Thursday, May 7th at 6:00PM. If Shirley touched your life, the family would love to see you and reminisce on the happiness she brought you.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Shirley M. Collins to Kanawha Hospice,1606 Kanawha Blvd W, Charleston, WV 25387
