Shirley P. Ailey age 81 of Spring City, Tennessee died on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Golden Years Retirement Resort in Spring City.

She was born on December 27, 1942 in Maryville, Tennessee to the late Dallas and Virgie Dill Forrester. Shirley was a graduate of Everett High School in Maryville. She then married the late Richard "Gene" Ailey Sr. and raised four children. Shirley loved to crochet and also loved all animals. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan. Shirley was of the Baptist faith.

Shirley was also preceded in death by her brothers Charles and Don Forrester and her sister Dorothy Deering.

Survivors include her children Richard (Jill) Ailey, Kelli (Chris) Morris both of Spring City, Charles (Vicki) Ailey of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Kristina (Donnie) Salter of Hixson, Tennessee; twelve grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Vaughn Funeral Home with Rev. Brian Price officiating. Interment will follow at Spring City Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Vaughn Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Rhea County Animal Shelter Alliance, 9118 Back Valley Road, Evensville, TN 37332.

Vaughn Funeral Home, Spring City is in charge of the arrangements of Shirley P. Ailey and asks that friends and family share memories and condolences with herfamily at www.vaughn-funeral-home.com