Effie R. Shirley Services for Effie R. Shirley will be held Friday, December 10, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Carl White officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Shirley, 84, of Meridian died Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Anderson Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Shirley was a long time member of Highland Baptist Church and was valedictorian of her graduating class at Long Creek. She served as Deputy Tax Assessor from 1960 until 1981 for Lauderdale County and was elected as Tax Assessor 1984 and she served until 2000. She was the first female Tax Assessor elected in the State of Mississippi. When she first began, the county did not even have maps and she and her staff mapped out the county by hand. Mrs. Shirley will always be remembered as a valuable member of our community and exemplified the ideas of dedication, achievement, public service and selfless commitment to her fellow man. She is survived by her children Eldon "Buddy" Shirley of Meridian, Michael E. Shirley and wife Dot of Meridian, Regina Aldridge and her husband Noel of Batesville, Roger Shirley and his wife Angie of Meridian; her grandchildren Kim Sigl and her husband Steve, Buddy Aldridge, Chris Aldridge and wife Michelle, Scott Aldridge and wife Deletha, Beth Aldridge, Chris Fortenberry and wife Amber, David Shirley and Allie Shirley; 8 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; a sister Earline Truelove of Cuba, AL, a brother Elvin "Bo" Rogers of Meridian and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Eldon L. Shirley, Sr. and seven brothers and sisters. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial be made to the American Cancer Society. Family and friends may sign the online guest book at robertbarhamffh.com Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 until 8:00 at the funeral home.
