Shirley Mae Templeton Russell

Shirley Mae Templeton Russell passed away Saturday morning, November 14, 2026, at Comfort Creek Nursing Home in Wadley. Born on April 21, 1950, she was a lifelong resident of the Matthews-Wrens area and remained deeply rooted in the community she called home throughout her life.

A 1968 graduate of Wrens High School, Shirley married the love of her life soon after graduation and went on to share 58 years of marriage until his passing earlier this year. She also built an extensive career in medical billing, serving with dedication and care. Yet above all else, her greatest role was that of wife, mother, and nana. She made sure her family had a loving home, a place filled with warmth, security, serenity, and peace.

Shirley was known as a spit-fire in the very best sense of the word, with a huge and loving heart. She loved being outdoors and could often be found gardening. Though she considered herself a home-body, her home was more than a refuge for herself; it was the center of her family’s life and the place where her love was most clearly felt. Family was always her main priority. She was deeply devoted to her husband, doted on her two girls, and treasured her grandsons, her beloved “Nana’s boys,” who were her pride and joy.

Her life was also marked by quiet strength and selfless care for others. She was a devoted caregiver to her husband and to her parents, and she helped in any way she could in caring for other family members. That steady compassion, given so freely, will be remembered with gratitude by all who knew and loved her.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Elisha R. Gaskill and her husband Edward, and Angela R. Willis and her husband Bobby. She also leaves behind her cherished grandsons, Ralph Franks IV, Rhett Willis, Landon Willis, and Lawson Willis. She is also survived by her siblings, Dorothy Batzel, Ruth Wren, Carolyn Lee and her husband Roy, John Templeton, and Ronnie Templeton and his wife Vickie; as well as her sister-in-law, Cherlyn Templeton; nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends. She will be remembered in the love she gave, the home she created, and the deep devotion she showed to her family every day of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew “Andy” Walton Russell; her mother, Mary Ellen Arrington Templeton; her father, Walter Alexander Templeton; and her brother, Walter Templeton Jr.

To honor Shirley’s memory, a funeral service will be held on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at James Funeral Home with Rev. Jack Foley, Chaplain Georgia Hospice Care, officiating. Interment will follow in the Wrens Memorial Gardens. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Nana’s boys—Rhett Willis, Landon Willis, and Lawson Willis—as well as Max Arrington, Keith Boulineau, Wright Perdue and Barry Russell.

The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society by clicking on the link below.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to her home sitters, the staff of Comfort Creek Nursing Home, and the staff of Georgia Hospice Care, with special thanks to Eva Brown, for their kindness, loving support, and compassionate care.