Shirley Wilson Harrison

Shirley Wilson Harrison, 72, of Augusta, Georgia, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2025.

Shirley, born on April 16, 1953, was the heart of her family, embodying strength, generosity, and an unwavering devotion to those she loved. For 54 years, she and Robert “Bobby” Harrison built a life together anchored in hard work, resilience, and steadfast devotion. Together, they raised two sons, Robert “Robby,” and Kevin “Scotty,” whom she nurtured with boundless love and guidance.

Shirley dedicated 26 years to the local school system as a kindergarten teaching assistant, working in a high-poverty school where her kindness and patience shaped the lives of countless children. She found joy in giving to those who had little, ensuring each child who walked into her classroom felt valued and

capable. Teaching them to read was more than a job; it was her calling, a gift she bestowed upon her students that would stay with them forever. That same nurturing spirit guided everything she did, shaping not just young minds but the hearts of all who knew her.

Family was the foundation of Shirley’s life. She was a proud mother, but an even more devoted grandmother to Claudia, Lewis, and her great-grandson, Beau. She embraced her growing family with open arms, welcoming Robby’s fiancée, Brittnee, and her children as her own. Shirley’s presence was a steady force of comfort, encouragement, and unconditional love. She spent years providing full-time care for her grandchildren before they started school, watching over them not just with responsibility but with joy.  Whether volunteering in their classrooms, cheering them on at events, or simply reading them their favorite stories, Shirley made sure they always felt her love.

Her home was a place of comfort, hard work, and unwavering care. She found peace in the beauty of the land she cared for, tending to her farm with pride, mowing the grass herself, and filling her yard with flowers. She had a soft spot for every stray animal her children and grandchildren brought home, welcoming them into her life just as she welcomed everyone she loved. The Blue Ridge Mountains held a special place in her heart; she often sat on the porch swing overlooking the peaks, with her beloved dog Gabby by her side, finding quiet joy in the stillness and beauty of the view.

Even in the face of hardship, Shirley’s kindness never wavered. Diagnosed with aggressive cancer two years ago, she met the battle with resilience and grace. Through the challenges of chemotherapy, she never ceased to care for others, baking treats and crafting beautiful things to brighten the days of nurses, doctors, and fellow patients. Her strength wasn’t just in enduring but in continuing to give even in her most challenging moments.

Shirley is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Mollie and Claude Wilson, who instilled in her the values of hard work, generosity, and devotion to family, qualities she carried throughout her life. As a middle child, Shirley embraced her role as both a steady presence and a source of unwavering support for her siblings. She was the kind of sister who showed up, whether lending a listening ear, offering guidance, or simply making sure everyone felt cared for. Her bond with Brenda, Dennis, and Diane was one of deep love and loyalty, a connection that remained strong through every stage of life.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Bobby; her sons, Robby (Brittnee) and Scotty (Emily); her grandchildren, Claudia (Jackson) and Lewis, son of Scotty and Emily, and her great-grandchild, Beau, son of Claudia and Jackson; her beloved siblings, Brenda (David), Dennis (Barbara), and Diane; and many nieces, nephews, colleagues, and friends who were touched by her generosity and steadfast love.

Her legacy is one of devotion, strength, and immeasurable kindness. Shirley’s life was a testament to what it means to take care of others, and her memory will remain a guiding light for all who knew her.

A funeral graveside service will be held on Friday, May 23, 10 AM at Westover Cemetery. The family will receive friends before and after the service.

Shirley’s life was a gift to all who knew her, and her presence will be profoundly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Shirley’s memory, an organization close to her heart and one she supported faithfully throughout her life.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907, 706-364-8484.