Shirley Elizabeth Kennedy Shelburne, 92, of Lillington, NC passed away on September 2, 2026. She was born on March 26, 1934, in Harnett County to the late Lee Franklin Kennedy and Sadie Ellen Woodley Kennedy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Amfort Shelburne, who died on April 28, 2005. Shirley is survived by her daughter, Barbara Ellen Shelburne and her grandsons, Corey Matthew Clayton and Steven Michael Clayton; as well as family and friends of the heart.

Shirley was an only child for Lee and Sadie; she was so loved! From an early age she loved the Lord and was very involved in church as she grew through her young life. In high school she played basketball, was voted the biggest eater and the most romantic, among other things. She met her love, Frank, when she was in high school and knew immediately that he was her lifelong partner. They were married for 53 years.

Jesus was always first in Shirley’s life, and she dedicated most of her life to serving the Lord. She played the piano for many years at Durham Memorial Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina. After serving as missionaries in Brazil and Nigeria for several years, Shirley and Frank moved to Lillington, North Carolina in the early 1990s. It was like coming home to them as there were special cousins, family and friends in Lillington. Shirley and Frank joined Lillington Baptist Church where Shirley became involved in the choir and began playing the piano there for almost 28 years. She loved serving in this way. During her years at Lillington Baptist Church, she formed many special relationships that were instrumental in her life: Kathy and Bill Sutter; Betty Lee and Dorothy Barham (part of the Golden Girls); Ms. Ruby and Tracy; and Daniel and LaDonna Selman. And there were many others that she loved. She was home.

Shirley and Frank loved the UNC Tarheels and spent many years supporting the basketball and football teams. Frank graduated from UNC as an undergrad and Shirley also attended UNC during that time. Their faithfulness to UNC never wavered, as they supported the teams their entire life. Shirley loved crocheting, traveling with the senior group, baking bread and most of all, her family! She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. Shirley died knowing she would soon be seeing the face of Jesus!

Her celebration of life will be Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Lillington Baptist Church, 210 W. Lofton Street, Lillington, NC 27546. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the service beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Flowers are beautiful and welcome, but donations can be made to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Fund at UNC.