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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Mardesque Powell
Shirley
July 12, 1917 – May 4, 2016
Obituary
Mardesque Powell Shirley was born in Aiken, South Carolina on July 12, 1917 to the late John Perry Powell, Sr. and the late Lucile Thompson Powell. She died on May 4, 2016 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in ALbany, Georgia.
At the age of four years old, Mardesque and her family relocated to Cuthbert, Georgia where her father taught in the agricultural extension system. The bucolic setting of small-town Cuthbert nurtured a bright, willful and determined student. After graduating high shcool, Mardesque received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Savannah State Teachers College. She then immersed herself in teaching the children of African-American migrant workers in Hahira, Georgia. In her spare time during World War II, Miss Powell volunteered through the USO to entertain military troops stationed around southern Georgia. After her young adult years as a teacher, Mardesque attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where she earned a Master's degree. It was soon after this milestone, that she met a dashing, young medical doctor, Jacob Lieucester Shirley, Jr. They were married on June 19, 1948. Dr. Shirley preceded her in death in 2004. They were blessed with one son, Jacob Lieucester Shirley, III, who survives them.
Among Mrs. Shirley's professional involvements and careers: a substitute teacher in Albany; the long-time business and office manager of Dr. Shirley's medical practice; one of three people to establish the Slater King Center in Albany to lend a helping hand and offer support services to senior citizens and their families; and a board membership at the center for over twenty years. As an attentive mate to Dr. Shirley, Mardesque basked in her husband's achievement as the first African American physician to be admitted to the medical staff of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. She was also a member of the Albany State University Faculty Wives Club in support of Dr. Shirley's position as head of the student infirmary at the university. Mrs. Shirley also doted on the couple's only child, Lieucester. She was relentless in her efforts to offer him the best opportunities for growth and development and also access to top-ranked schools. He was the Prince of 913 Dorsett.
Since 2008, Mrs. Shirley had been a resident of Palmyra Nursing Home in Albany.
In addition to her son Lieucester, Mardesque Shirley is survived by her nephew, Verneal Bolden Powell (Sandra); nieces, Brenda Willis Otis (Amos) and Sandra Willis Scales (Jerome); her dear cousins, Lloyd P. Powell, Thelma Powell Richardson, William Carroll (Naomi); and many more cousins, friends, a few former colleagues and co-workers.
At the age of four years old, Mardesque and her family relocated to Cuthbert, Georgia where her father taught in the agricultural extension system. The bucolic setting of small-town Cuthbert nurtured a bright, willful and determined student. After graduating high shcool, Mardesque received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Savannah State Teachers College. She then immersed herself in teaching the children of African-American migrant workers in Hahira, Georgia. In her spare time during World War II, Miss Powell volunteered through the USO to entertain military troops stationed around southern Georgia. After her young adult years as a teacher, Mardesque attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where she earned a Master's degree. It was soon after this milestone, that she met a dashing, young medical doctor, Jacob Lieucester Shirley, Jr. They were married on June 19, 1948. Dr. Shirley preceded her in death in 2004. They were blessed with one son, Jacob Lieucester Shirley, III, who survives them.
Among Mrs. Shirley's professional involvements and careers: a substitute teacher in Albany; the long-time business and office manager of Dr. Shirley's medical practice; one of three people to establish the Slater King Center in Albany to lend a helping hand and offer support services to senior citizens and their families; and a board membership at the center for over twenty years. As an attentive mate to Dr. Shirley, Mardesque basked in her husband's achievement as the first African American physician to be admitted to the medical staff of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. She was also a member of the Albany State University Faculty Wives Club in support of Dr. Shirley's position as head of the student infirmary at the university. Mrs. Shirley also doted on the couple's only child, Lieucester. She was relentless in her efforts to offer him the best opportunities for growth and development and also access to top-ranked schools. He was the Prince of 913 Dorsett.
Since 2008, Mrs. Shirley had been a resident of Palmyra Nursing Home in Albany.
In addition to her son Lieucester, Mardesque Shirley is survived by her nephew, Verneal Bolden Powell (Sandra); nieces, Brenda Willis Otis (Amos) and Sandra Willis Scales (Jerome); her dear cousins, Lloyd P. Powell, Thelma Powell Richardson, William Carroll (Naomi); and many more cousins, friends, a few former colleagues and co-workers.
Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay...
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey's quicker,
For some the journey's slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the lord.
Together with the lord.
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