Obituary of Shirley Booker

Shirley W. Booker was born on February 2, 1941 in Cumberland County, VA to the late Lee Minter and Mattie Minter. She was the youngest of seven children. Later, Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Lee Minter and Mattie Minter and her sisters: Della Wardlaw, Lorraine Futrell and Sue McMillan. At an early age Shirley was taught to acknowledge and love people and to be thankful for life by her parents. She enjoyed showing that love for people with her family at the Old Bethlehem Baptist Church in Cumberland County, Va., where she was a faithful member. Shirley received her education through the Cumberland County School System at Cumberland Training High School then graduated from the Luther P. Jackson High School where she took a course in Horticultural Studies. There she learned to care for all sorts of plants and flowers. In her early twenties, Shirley met the love of her life John Booker affectionately known as "BOOKER" and they were united in marriage until he departed in death. Shirley and John had no children born from their marriage union. Still, Shirley's love for children was amazing and while she did not have any of her own- her nieces, nephews and children of her close friends "became her children" and had no problem disciplining any of them when they needed it. More importantly, she was a most loving, giving and caring Sister, Aunt, and friend to her family and friends. Everyone she came in contact with experienced that jovial love from her. One of the nicknames given by Shirley to everybody was "Sugar", no matter who you were- that was your name. In her final days of illness, she really showed her funny side at the hospital to her family, friends, nurses and doctors including trying to dance from the bed and sometimes even balling up her fists to anyone who came to visit her or who did not do what she said. In fact, Shirley's spunkiness and internal "Minter Family strength" showed that even sickness couldn't get her down. She also in another sense was letting all know, that "life is not that heavy and but to just enjoy it while we have it". Shirley will be missed greatly by her longtime companion John Lee who she loved dearly. It was clear that they loved each other and enjoy each other company. Above all, Shirley will mostly and forever be missed by her remaining and older sisters Estelle and Mary Lou, where most times would talk to Shirley everyday on the phone. They were last of the surviving Minter girls and loved each other tremendously. Also she will be greatly missed by her nephews Moses and Ed who were like her "baby boys" whom she loved and adored since they were born. And her play daughter Sheila proved to be invaluable to Shirley and the family especially in these past several months. And we simply say "Thank You" for taking care of our dear "SISTER AND AUNT SHIRLEY". OUR DEAR SHIRLEY WAS A FUN AND LOVING PERSON AND LOVED EVERYBODY IN HER OWN SPECIAL WAY. SHE HAD A WONDERFUL LAUGH AND BEAUTIFUL PERSONALITY. YES, WE CAN TRULY SAY OUR DEAR SHIRLEY WILLIE BOOKER SHOWED US ALL TO BE KIND AND WELCOMING TO ALL PEOPLE. BUT SHE ESPECIALLY LOVED HER FAMILY AND SHE KNEW HER FAMILY LOVED HER!!! Shirley leaves a large family behind including sisters: Estelle Mayo (Jersey City, NJ) and Mary Lou Brown (Philadelphia, Pa); brother -in-law: Robert Brown, Sr.,(Philadelphia, Pa); sister-in-law: Louise Booker(Cumberland County, Va); host of cousins, nieces, nephews, adopted children and very close friends and neighbors.