Shirley K. West

Shirley K. West, 78, of Valdosta, died on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at Langdale Hospice House following a lengthy illness. She was born on May 13, 1943 in Brooks County, Georgia to the late Mose and Rebecca Johnson Kearse. She has been in the Valdosta area all her life. She was a retired educator with the Lowndes County School system with 40 years of service. She enjoyed her role as a science teacher for both 3rd and 5th grade and had a heart for every student she taught. She was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching all sports, but she was a die-hard Florida Gators fan. Shirley exhibited her care and compassion toward others by putting their needs above her own. This was reflected in her years as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend. She was a member of West End Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Mike West of Valdosta; her daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Kevin Cowart of Valdosta; her granddaughter and her husband, Kennedy and Stewart Tyler of Cordele; two sisters, Geneva Swain of Valdosta and Eloise Blanton of Quitman; a special loving niece, Tambra Logan and her son and his wife, Caleb and Becky Logan, all of Blue Ridge, Georgia; other nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her fur-baby, Bella. She was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Bobbie Ann and Alton McDonald, and brother, Troy Parker.
A visitation for Shirley K. West will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Carson McLane Funeral Home on Friday, June 18, 2021. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.