Mrs. Shirley VanPelt, age 88 of Gaylesville, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025 at Cherokee County Health and Rehab in Centre.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM, Friday, June 20, at the Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Starrett Green officiating. Family will receive friends from 10 AM until the hour of the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Weiss Lake Memory Gardens in Cedar Bluff.
Survivors include her son, Rodney (Tracy) VanPelt; Daughter, Gay (Earl Jr.) Simpson; Grandchildren, Scott (Makenze) Simpson, Blake (Amber) Nichols, Holly (Shane) Dodd, Hayli (Jordan) Battles; Great-grandchildren, Hayden and Hudson Dodd, Brody and Brantley Simpson, Blaize Battles, Brody and Addie Nichols; Sisters, Hobbie Abernathy, Nancy (Larry) Smith; Special friend, Jean Watwood; Sisters-in-law, Faye Green and Pam Hill.
Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Pallbearers are Troy Simpson, Dennis Simpson, Scott Simpson, Shane Dodd, and Tim Colbert.
Shirley was a native of Rome, GA and born to the late Richard and Audrey Jones Green. She was known by her community for making the best peach pies, sewing, and dedicating her talent of singing to songs of praise and worship for local churches and events. The love she had for her family, especially the children, was unmatched.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bob VanPelt; Brothers, Jim, Fred, James, and Douglas Green; Sisters, Peggy Henderson, Max Ann Hunter, Judy Roach, Ruby Chandler, and Nell Green.
Mrs. VanPelt’s family wishes to extend extra special thanks to Dr. Clinton Allen, ProHealth Hospice, and all the staff at Cherokee County Health and Rehab (Station 1) for providing her with excellent care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the caring staff on station 1 at Cherokee County Health and Rehab, located at 877 Cedar Bluff Road, Centre, AL 35960.
Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
