Mrs. Shirley Jean Phillips Smith was born December 25, 1947 in Columbus, Georgia to the late Aaron Phillips and Mary Francis McAdoo. She departed this life on Tuesday April 20, 2021 at Piedmont Columbus Regional – Midtown, Columbus, Georgia

She confessed Christ at an early age and joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church where she served diligently in several auxiliaries and ministries. She often attended conferences at all levels local, state, and national such as: The National Baptist Convention, Southeastern District Convention, Selma University, and the Congress of Christian Education, as well as other many others. She was also an active participant in Sunday School and church, which demonstrated her commitment.

Shirley was a 1966 graduate of Mount Olive High School, graduating with honors. Their class motto was: "We have crossed the river, but the ocean lies ahead."  She furthered her education at Alabama State University in Montgomery Alabama, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree. She also earned a Master's and Educational Specialist Degree from Alabama State University. She was a devoted educator spending many years educating boys and girls in the states Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. She retired in May 2009 after devoting 40 years of her life teaching History and English and retired from the Russell County School District as a Counselor.

While at Alabama State University, in 1967, she pledged the Beta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and was also inducted into the National Honor Society. She was a member of the National Education Association (NEA), the Alabama Education Association (AEA), and the local education association. She was a member of the Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC), Russell County Democratic Executive Committee (RCDEC), and Russell Democratic Association (RCDA).  She served her community as an activist, a poll worker during elections, and a volunteer. She was always lending a helping hand to those in need.

In addition to her parents Aaron Phillips and Mary Francis McAdoo, she was proceeded in death by her son Michael Bernard Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memories a loving son, Kelvin (Maketa) Smith of Seale, Alabama; the joy of her heart and love of her life, her six grandchildren, Sémaj Smith of Austin, Texas; Kévon Smith, MarcAnthony Smith, Mia Smith, Kayla Smith, and Gavin Smith all of Seale, Alabama; an uncle Henry Parker; three aunts, Lois Phillips, Sarah Wright and Alberta (Edgar) Miles; and a host of other relatives and loved ones.