SHIRLEY MAE KENDRICK

Johnston City - Accomplished musician, avid puzzle solver, amazing cook, loving mom, nana, aunt and friend, Shirley Kendrick 96, of Johnston City, passed away peacefully at Herrin Hospital on Thursday evening, October 17, 2024.

Shirley was born in Johnston City on March 24, 1928, to Robert and Elizabeth Ann (Leamen) Oliver.  She was united in marriage to William D. Kendrick (Bill) on April 12, 1947. Surviving her are her children Jane Ann, Becky, Keith and daughter-in-law Brenda Kendrick, all of Johnston City, granddaughters Laura Coloni, Angela Coloni, Kelly Kendrick-Tyson (Whitney) and Monica Arnold (David), great grandchildren Kyle Savant, Carley Payne, Logan Essary, Jackson (Leah) Essary, Jace Linton, Sydney Linton, Madyson Moore, Trevor Coloni, and Chelsea Coloni, two great-great grandchildren Jett and Irene and several special nieces and nephews.

A 1945 graduate of Johnston City High School, Shirley was very active playing piano for various school functions and events. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Johnston City.  At age nine she began playing piano for Sunday school and two years later began a lengthy career as church pianist and organist.  In 1995 she received the Distinguished Christian Service Award for her faithful service as church musician and in May 2017 she retired as church organist after serving eighty years in the music ministry of her church.  Throughout her career, Shirley played for hundreds of weddings and funerals and taught piano and organ to many students.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, brothers and sisters-in-law Bob and Marian Oliver, Albert and Betty Oliver and her young siblings John, Ann and James Wesley Oliver.

Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday October 21, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Johnston City with Pastor Sherri Cisneros officiating. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery of Johnston City. Visitation will be from 11:00A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the church located at 400 W. Broadway. Murman & Wilson Funeral Home of Johnston City is in Charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Johnston City.  Envelopes will be available at the time of service.