Shirley Marcelle Mathis Burkeen, 72, of Dalton, GA, died on Tuesday, September 10, 2013.
She loved Jesus Christ with all her heart and soul and tried to share her love for Christ with everyone she came in contact with. She wanted to be a blessing to her Quinton Family and her family in life. Shirley sang gospel songs and read her Bible to the residents at Quinton every day until she entered the gates of Heaven. She was united with her only child whom she lost 34 years ago along with other loved ones. Heaven received a rare jewel when Shirley entered the gates.
She was preceded in death by her only child, Tony Steven Burkeen; her parents, Herrtis and Annie Novella Mathis; grandparents, Ula Mae Bennett Woodring, Virgil and Minnie Mathis and Joe and Lily Woodring; her beloved sister, Wanda Brown; nieces, Shannon Murie and Haley Gazaway; and nephews, Brett Mathis, Brett Andrew Thomason and Dale Mathis.
She is survived by her only grandson, Cody Burkeen; great grandchildren, Tristen, Kelsey and Hunter Burkeen of Utah; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bobby and Jeanette Mathis of Dalton, Billy and Ann Mathis of Varnell and Randall and Carole Mathis of Michigan; sisters and brothers-in-law, Boyd and Carol Gossett, Doug and Betty Jensen, all of Dalton, Bob and Sandra Murie of Michigan; sisters, Kay Goodwin of California, Martha Minneker and Doris Kedrow, both of Dalton; and many nieces and nephews whom loved her dearly.
The funeral service to honor the life of Shirley Burkeen will be held Saturday, September 14, at 2 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove Chapel of Julian Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. Bob Murie and Rev. Lawrence Wagner officiating. Burial will be in West Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Cody Burkeen, Jhon Shoemaker, Mike Minniker, Shaun Murie, Ricky Brown and Larry Brooks. Honorary pallbearers will be Boyd Gossett, Doug Jensen and Jerry Mathis.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, September 13 from 5-9 p.m.
Shirley’s wishes were that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Quinton Memorial Activities Fund.
Julian Peeples Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.