Obituary for Shirley J. Shavers
Minister Shirley Jean Sommerville-Shavers
"Keep the loving memories alive and she will live with you forever."
Minister Shirley Jean Sommerville-Shavers, 74, departed this life peacefully on Friday, February 13, 2015.
She was born on August 2, 1940 in Akron, Ohio to devoted parents, Clifford and Pauline Sommerville. Minister Shirley was the third eldest of seven sisters and two brothers. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Pauline; daughter, Pamela Renee Maddox; brothers, Rashad Ali and Donnie Ray Robinson; and sister, Tonya Denise Gooden. She is survived by sisters, Rev. Janice (John) Wilson, Donna Mae Thomas, Patricia White, Sandra Duncan, Andrea (Taz) Sommerville, and Karen (Hamp) Beach, and special friend, Charles Wallace, who played an important part in her life during her later years.
The things that were most important to Minister Shirley were her family and her ministry, and through both, she affected the lives of many.
Minister Shirley was a wonderful mother who loved her children dearly and always remained concerned for their welfare: Nazirah (Sharon) Muhammad, Rev. Dr. Odinga Lawrence (Nancy) Maddox II and Minister Stephen Henderson (Gina) Muhammad. She was also blessed with thirteen beautiful grandchildren: Christopher E. Maddox, Alexia D. Harris, Ariana T. (James) Maddox-McDuffie, Terrell Maddox, Lawrence Maddox Jr., Shelley Maddox, Carissa Maddox, Joshua S. Maddox, Jordan T. Smith, Saadiq A. Muhammad, Kamil S. Muhammad, Shamael H. Muhammad and Abdul-Raheem J. Muhammad; and twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom were touched in their own special way by her influence, in addition to many nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own.
Minister Shirley possessed a kind, giving spirit; she loved God, and her family, friends and neighbors. She will always be remembered for her uncanny ability to make people feel special. After she and her siblings lost their mother at a young age, Minister Shirley took on the role of surrogate mother for her younger sisters, often sharing her home with family members.
The family went through many ups and downs, but weathered the storm together.
Minister Shirley''s powerful faith in God inspired her to cherish each day of life and always be of service to others. As a young adult, she embraced the Christian ministry and later pursued her goal to become an ordained minister under the guidance of Pastor Samuel Johnson of New Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.
Submitted by your loving children.
Service will be held Friday, February 20, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home, 529 W. Thornton St., Akron, OH 44307, Dr. Odinga Lawrence Maddox I eulogizing, Minister Stephen H. Muhammad officiating. Interment at Mt. Peace Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until time of service. Procession will form at 1558 Bronson Rd., Akron, OH 44305 and condolences may be sent to 305 Alden Ave., Akron, OH 44313.
"Keep the loving memories alive and she will live with you forever."
Minister Shirley Jean Sommerville-Shavers, 74, departed this life peacefully on Friday, February 13, 2015.
She was born on August 2, 1940 in Akron, Ohio to devoted parents, Clifford and Pauline Sommerville. Minister Shirley was the third eldest of seven sisters and two brothers. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Pauline; daughter, Pamela Renee Maddox; brothers, Rashad Ali and Donnie Ray Robinson; and sister, Tonya Denise Gooden. She is survived by sisters, Rev. Janice (John) Wilson, Donna Mae Thomas, Patricia White, Sandra Duncan, Andrea (Taz) Sommerville, and Karen (Hamp) Beach, and special friend, Charles Wallace, who played an important part in her life during her later years.
The things that were most important to Minister Shirley were her family and her ministry, and through both, she affected the lives of many.
Minister Shirley was a wonderful mother who loved her children dearly and always remained concerned for their welfare: Nazirah (Sharon) Muhammad, Rev. Dr. Odinga Lawrence (Nancy) Maddox II and Minister Stephen Henderson (Gina) Muhammad. She was also blessed with thirteen beautiful grandchildren: Christopher E. Maddox, Alexia D. Harris, Ariana T. (James) Maddox-McDuffie, Terrell Maddox, Lawrence Maddox Jr., Shelley Maddox, Carissa Maddox, Joshua S. Maddox, Jordan T. Smith, Saadiq A. Muhammad, Kamil S. Muhammad, Shamael H. Muhammad and Abdul-Raheem J. Muhammad; and twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom were touched in their own special way by her influence, in addition to many nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own.
Minister Shirley possessed a kind, giving spirit; she loved God, and her family, friends and neighbors. She will always be remembered for her uncanny ability to make people feel special. After she and her siblings lost their mother at a young age, Minister Shirley took on the role of surrogate mother for her younger sisters, often sharing her home with family members.
The family went through many ups and downs, but weathered the storm together.
Minister Shirley''s powerful faith in God inspired her to cherish each day of life and always be of service to others. As a young adult, she embraced the Christian ministry and later pursued her goal to become an ordained minister under the guidance of Pastor Samuel Johnson of New Trinity Missionary Baptist Church.
Submitted by your loving children.
Service will be held Friday, February 20, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home, 529 W. Thornton St., Akron, OH 44307, Dr. Odinga Lawrence Maddox I eulogizing, Minister Stephen H. Muhammad officiating. Interment at Mt. Peace Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until time of service. Procession will form at 1558 Bronson Rd., Akron, OH 44305 and condolences may be sent to 305 Alden Ave., Akron, OH 44313.