Shirley Jean Kofoed

Shirley J. Kofoed, 92, of Evans, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Shirley was born on October 29, 1933, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the late Ruthella P. Smith and V. LaMar Smith. She graduated from Phoenixville High School in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and later attended Miami-Dade Community College and Florida International University in Miami, Florida.

In 1955, Shirley married the love of her life, John W. (“Jack”) Kofoed. The couple began their life together in Tallahassee, Florida, where Shirley worked as a secretary while Jack completed his master’s degree at Florida State University. After graduation, Jack’s career took the family to Silver Spring, Maryland and later to Miami, Florida.

In 1983, Shirley and Jack retired to Central Florida, where they built their forever home. They shared a love of the outdoors and adventure, spending their retirement years camping in national parks, canoeing the Florida’s rivers, and traveling extensively throughout New England, the western United States, Alaska, Canada, and Europe, including England, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

After 64 wonderful years of marriage, Jack passed away on April 10, 2020. Shirley later moved to Evans, Georgia, to be closer to her daughter and family. She enjoyed her time at Amberley, especially the monthly “Lunch Bunch.” Shirley had a deep love for flower gardening, gathering wildflowers, decorating her home—especially at Christmas—, watching cooking shows, thrifting, and shopping.

Shirley was preceded in death by her devoted husband, John W. Kofoed, and her beloved son, Craig E. Kofoed.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Jones (Tom); her granddaughters, Caroline: Hannah Mellits (David); Emi Clement (Alex); Kate Maynard (Hunter); Anita Jones, all of Augusta area; and Wendy Nemchik (Scott) of New Tripoli, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Jordan, Ruthie, Reese, Harrison, Johannah, Hudson, Aubrey, and Caitlyn; her brother, David Smith (Doris): and her nieces Kate Book, Loren Smith, Lisa and Lori.

The family is deeply grateful to Southeast Hospice and Brandon Wilde Pavilion Care Facility in Evans, Georgia, for their compassionate care, patience, and support. Their kindness brought comfort to Shirley and her family during her final days.

A private memorial service and burial will be held at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on-line at www.stjude.org, or by mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com