Shirley A. Jarriel

Shirley A. Jarriel, age 79, of Port Wentworth passed away Saturday, September 13, 2025 at home.

Shirley was born on October 12, 1945 in Reidsville, GA, the daughter of the late Benjamin F. Jarriel and Hilma L. Jarriel. She was a graduate of Robert W. Groves High School and continued her formal education at Paris Beauty School and Draughon’s Business College. She began her career as a hairdresser and later as a bookkeeper, but ultimately served with Memorial Medical Center where she retired after 21 years as a Payroll Analyst. She enjoyed trips to Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and Biloxi, MS.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Terry J. Jarriel. She is survived by her life partner, Mary Ellen Leonard; sisters, Diane Shephard, Joyce (Glenn) Hibberts, and Rebecca (Andrew) Battles; nieces and nephews, David (Stephanie), Kimberly (Ray), John (Laura), Shelly (Danny), Becky (Dwayne), Tracie, Ched, and Christy and a host of great nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews.

Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with a private funeral service which will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research by visiting www.stjude.org/donate.