Shirley Ann Edwards, 84, of Canton, Georgia (formerly of Carman, Ill., Burlington, and Morning Sun), died May 27, 2023, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was born in Burlington Oct. 27, 1938, to the late Loren and Myrtle Leaverton Booten.
Shirley was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, and cousin. She was known for her vivacious spirit, her delightful sense of humor, and her compassion and generosity towards others.
Shirley married Rodney L. Ford in November 1955. Rodney died in 1978.
She later married Leroy (Friday) Edwards in July 1993. Leroy passed away in 2014.
Shirley was a member of the Burlington Eagle’s Club and Women’s Auxiliary, Burlington Elks Club, and Burlington Moose Lodge. She enjoyed traveling, cooking, golfing, gardening, planting flowers, and spending time with friends and family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings Raymond Booten and Frances (Jack) Lewis.
She is survived by her daughters Debra Williams, LeClaire, Tina (Mark) Wiegard, O’Fallon, Mo., Rhonda Harris, Canton, Ga., Simone (Greg) Ford, Griggsville, Ill., and Stacey Ford, Mount Pleasant; two stepsons, Leslie and Michael Edwards; six grandchildren, Tiffanie, Nyssa, Laykin, Alex, Danielle, and Trey; four great-grandchildren, Noah, Libbie, Kaitlyn, and Zahcari; sisters, Joanne Schrader, Lorain Bishop, and Laura Cox; brother Loren (Sandra) Booten; aunt Mary Hitchcock along with many other loving relatives.
Shirley requested a celebration of life be held in her honor as opposed to traditional funeral services. We invite all of Shirley’s friends and family to please join us in celebrating her beautiful life during an open house at the Huckleberry Hall C, in the FunCity/Catfish Bend Casino complex, Burlington, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, from 3:30 – 6 p.m.
There will be a small graveside gathering, held at the Carman Cemetery in Carman, Ill. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 2 p.m.