Shirley Jean Walling, 86

Shirley Jean Walling (86) departed her family and friends to be in the loving care of God, on Friday, July 24, 2020. She was born April 29, 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio to Marie “Mary” (Mastny) Smith and Calvin Hull Smith.

She is predeceased by her daughter, Judith “Judy” Marie Richterkessing, and son-in-law Robert “Bob” Richterkessing. She is survived by her grandson Robert O. Richterkessing, wife Debbie and great granddaughter Azalea (Fuquay-Varina, NC); sister Marjorie (Smith) Becker (Louisville, KY); brother Warren N. Smith and wife, Elaine (Clearwater, FL); and her loving nieces and nephew (Donna Earley, Teresa Earley, Pamela (Earley) Stonebrook, Amy Smith and Ryan Smith); and many, many friends.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she spent much of her life from high school and adulthood in Lexington, Kentucky, until she moved in 1990 to Tamarac, Florida to be closer to her daughter and family, and her mother. Since “retiring” in 2001, she lived in Lakeland, Florida at the Lakeland Harbor adult residential community, moving there together with two good friends from Tamarac, Joan and Kim.

Shirley worked her entire career in restaurant supplies and equipment sales; and, after retirement in Lakeland, as a patient receptionist, until the time of her passing, at Watson Clinic.

Donations in honor of Shirley’s memory may be made at www.autismspeaks.org.

Funeral services and a Celebration of life will be held at an appropriate future time.

Condolences may be sent to the family at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes.