Shirley Ellison

Shirley Wren Ellison passed away on July 6, 2023, in Homewood, Alabama at the age of 70. Ms. Ellison is survived by her mother Marie Wren Sanders, sister Diane Brasfield (Wren), children Anna-Marie Ellison (Trace Newton), Mary Katherine Ellison, and John Thomas Ellison, grandchildren Major Moorer and Jack Hawkins, and niece Ashley Kegley (Ricky). 

Shirley Ellison began her lifelong love of choral music as a student at Fairfield High School. After graduating from Heritage Christian Academy in 1970,  she pursued music as a major while at Samford University, where she also took an active role in the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. An avid pianist, she began her teaching career at Homewood Middle School, where she remained for 33 years, pioneering advances in technology and advocating for choral music opportunities for middle school students. Ms. Ellison dearly loved every student that came through her choral program while at HMS. She embraced fellow faculty and staff like family and her impact on the Homewood community spans generations.  Her passion and visionary spirit created opportunities such as the ACDA Young Voices Festival, that continue to bring joy to students all over the state of Alabama to this day. 

Shirley served the Apple corporation for five years in their flagship Birmingham, Alabama Summit location. Her natural “educator attitude” allowed her to cultivate relationships around computers and technology. Even later in life, Ms. Ellison took on a new role with ERA King Real Estate, all the while using her skills to instruct and assist others. 

Shirley was an active member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church where she founded and implemented the worship band for the Celebrate Recovery program. She attended women’s Bible Studies and enjoyed supporting the worship ministry. Her faith in Jesus Christ remained strong throughout her life, and she clung to the Hope she knew to be true throughout all of her difficult days.

The single greatest marker of Shirley Ellison’s life was her love of people. Her ability to discern a given situation and offer insight was unmatched. Her relationships were varied and deep, and many were impacted by her knowledge and life experience.

Shirley’s legacy lives on in her son J.T., and her two daughters, Anna-Marie and Mary, all of whom she was extremely proud of. 

Thank you, Shirley, for the music, love, laughter, and wisdom. We are grateful for your life and legacy.

A celebration of life service will be held at Dawson Memorial Baptist  Church in Birmingham, AL on Thursday, July 13th at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home https://www.alabamachild.org/give

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