Shirley French

Shirley Ann French was born in Bruceton, TN on October 29, 1934, to Floyd Cole and Gwendolyn Park Cole. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Lawrence and Alzada Jordan Park, who lovingly adopted her at age nine when her mother died, her beloved husband Robert (BoBo) French, cherished granddaughter Melissa Ann Phillips, and brother Floyd Cole, Jr. She is survived by her four loving children, Sheena (Danny) Perry, Clarksville, TN, Debra Bloom, Nashville, TN, Marion Appleman (Harvey), Bumpus Mills, TN, and John French, Dover, TN. Her much-loved grandchildren, Greg (Stacey) Crockarell, Lance (Jessica) Bloom, Brooke (Russell) Riebeling, Gloria (Jason) Perigo, Olivia Davis, Lindsey (Clement) Lochner, Tiffany Holland, John French, Jr., Ginna (Michael) Lococo, twenty-one precious great-grandchildren, one great great-grandchild, and a sister, Gloria Littleton. She is also survived with great affection by Mark J. Bloom, Robert T. Keeton III, Nitzia French, Gabby Holgado, and many nieces and nephews.

Shirley grew up in the West Tennessee town of Bruceton, closely surrounded by a host of loving relatives. There, she met, loved, and married Bruceton native Robert (BoBo) French on June 7, 1951. Shirley possessed great charm, beauty, and an engaging warmth. Her deep love, pride, and devotion for her husband, children, and family was foremost in her life. She was infinitely generous with her time, which included an abiding dedication to her faith, Walnut Grove Baptist Church (where she taught Sunday School for many years), a tremendous amount of volunteer work, life-long friendships, and her well-known hospitality. Shirley and BoBo took great delight in hosting family and friends throughout their entire marriage.

In 1958, Shirley and BoBo moved to Dover and raised their family. They moved to Memphis in 1973 and lived there for 21 years. After retiring from The Tennessee Department of Human Services, they moved back to Dover, where they would remain. Shirley continued hosting and preparing delicious meals for family and friends after becoming a widow on October 2, 2000.

Shirley’s family is forever grateful for the loving and exemplary care she received at Spring Meadows Health Care Center for the last seven months. Though our anguished hearts mourn her passing, her cherished memory will remain a beautiful, lasting blessing.

A visitation and graveside service will be held at Stewart County Memorial Gardens on Sunday, September 8, 2024. Visitation will begin at 1:30 pm and continue until the graveside service at 2:00 pm with Bro. William Gray officiating. Pallbearers will be members of the Walnut Grove Baptist Church: Larry Fitzhugh, Travis Compton, Billy Moss, Tim Filson, Randall Horn and Mike Winstand.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Walnut Grove Baptist Church; 700 Walnut Grove Baptist Church; Dover, TN 37058 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; 501 St. Jude Place; Memphis, TN 38105-1942.

Arrangements are entrusted to Anglin Funeral Home, Dover, TN and online condolences may be made at anglinfuneralhome.com