Shirley Ann (Chilcutt) Smith
Shirley Smith was born August 30, 1938, in Buchannan, TN., to loving parents, Porter Q. and Rubye (Maynard) Chilcutt. At the age of three, she moved with her family to the Murray community. Shirley met life with wide-eyed curiosity and joyful expectation. Her sparkling personality invited many special relationships and unique opportunities all throughout her life. Deeply rooted in her Christian faith, Shirley was interested in helping others, a trait that remained with her throughout her life.
Shirley graduated from Murray High School in 1956, and three weeks later, married her high school sweetheart, Billy Smith, a farmer from the Kirksey community. She began working as a secretary for a local attorney in Murray. The couple was soon blessed with two children and Shirley stopped working to enjoy all aspects of being a mother and homemaker.
Once her children were in school, Shirley went back to work, serving as a secretary/bookkeeper for the Murray State University Bookstore. In addition to her public work and homemaking endeavors, she served as a den mother to the Cub Scouts, president of the PTA, and kept the nursery for almost twenty years at the Kirksey United Methodist Church.
As her children grew into their teens, and with the encouragement of Billy, Shirley acted on a lifelong dream to be in business for herself. In November 1973, she opened Shirley’s Showcase, a bridal and formalwear store, located along 121 Bypass in Murray. For the next seventeen years, she assisted countless brides prepare for their special day, while dressing thousands of teenaged girls with stylish formals for their proms, homecomings, and beauty pageants.
Shirley was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990, and decided it was time to sell the business. As she worked through the illness and treatments, she wrote about her experience in A Time to Behold: Triumph Over Tragedy by Faith, Prayers and a Positive Attitude, published by Carlton Press, in 1994. During this challenging time, Billy received a job offer requiring a move to Kansas City, Kansas. Never one to shrink from a challenge, Shirley encouraged Billy to take the offer, even with her medical treatments underway.
The couple enjoyed starting anew, making friends in their new home state. After she recovered from her illness, Shirley delved into projects that she was passionate about. She was a talented seamstress, creative scrapbook maker, and loved to quilt. She also enjoyed gardening, and was an excellent cook. Making things for her children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren were her greatest delight.
A few years later, Billy’s work took another turn and they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas for him to continue his career path in the fertilizer industry. After living away from their families for eight years, the couple finally returned to Kentucky in 1998, and lived in Eddyville until Billy retired in 2002, moving back to Calloway County and the Smith family farm.
Retirement was a joy for Shirley as she and Billy spent time with their family, and traveled extensively, exploring places of interest in the U.S. and abroad. Shirley is most remembered as the Queen of Hospitality, and for her positive attitude, poised demeanor, unconditional love, and especially her fun-loving personality. She loved entertaining, particularly preparing and serving family meals. She was a good friend to many, and was always thinking of things to do or make in order to express her love and care for others.
In addition to her husband of 59 years, Shirley is survived by her two children, Billy Dale and his wife Debbie, of Murray, and Bobbie and her husband, Bill Bryant, of Louisville. Two grandchildren, Josh and his wife, Missy Smith, and Janae Smith and her fiancé, Brandon K. McCoy, and two step-grandsons, Garrett Bryant, and Landon and his wife, Amber Bryant, survive, along with two great-grandsons, Logan Smith and Carter Smith. Sister-in-law Bettie and her husband Gregg Stoll of Paducah also survives, as well as several beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her brother, Charles F. Chilcutt, and his wife, Barbara.
Blalock-Coleman & York Funeral Home, 713 South 4th Street, Murray Kentucky, is in charge of arrangements. Visitation is scheduled Wednesday, December 2nd, from 5 – 8:00 p.m. and the funeral will be conducted by Rev. Charley Bazzell and Rev. Tim Palmer, at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 3rd, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Murray Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Bobby Bazzell, Landon Bryant, Nick Dempsey, Phil McCallon, Brandon McCoy, Jerry Maynard, and Joel Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Elwood Brown, Garrett Bryant, Charles Coleman, David Emerson, Danny Maynard, Rob Ed Parrish, Greg Stoll, Tim Szabo and Andrew Smith.
The Smith family extends their deepest appreciation to the caring staff at Hickory Woods Senior Living Center, and the Murray-Calloway County Hospital Hospice Program. In lieu of flowers, honorariums should be sent to the American Cancer Society.