Shirley A Aldridge

Shirley Annette Austin Aldridge, 84, breathed her soul away into her Savior’s arms on January 21st, 2024. Shirley was born in Hot Springs and lived most of her life in Malvern. She leaves behind her sons Terry and Tom (married to Anna Calabro) Aldridge, and three spoiled grandchildren: Savannah (engaged to Ian Williamson), Tommy, and Lonnie “Louis” Aldridge.

On August 27, 1955, at the age of 16, Shirley married sweetheart Lonnie and accompanied him on a 43-year honeymoon until the Lord called him home. Today, she again holds his gentle hand in Heaven as they watch a magnificent sunset and listen to the distant call of whippoorwills. She loved reading mystery novels and touring the country with Lonnie, sometimes leaving their driveway with no particular destination in mind. Shirley was baptized in a cold country stream and is remembered for her angelic singing voice and taking meticulous notes during Sunday Baptist services. In addition to being a supportive mom, wife, and Razorback fan, she was a beautician who owned the Silhouette Beauty Salon in Malvern. Shirley enjoyed visiting and doting on family. In her twilight years, she enjoyed clogging, playing cards with her grandchildren and friends, and driving Arkansas back roads with Terry. A master cook of Southern cuisine, Shirley was renowned for making mouthwatering chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, homemade pies, and cherry tart desserts.

Shirley was blessed to have two loving sets of parents and enjoyed a lifetime of unfiltered love with her many siblings, nieces who were like daughters to her, nephews, and cousins. The story is that she was hidden in a blanket and removed (“kidnapped”) from the hospital nursery by extended family shortly after her birth on February 8, 1939, but enjoyed the family love of both sets of parents. Shirley is preceded in eternal rest by her father George and mother Bertha Ingram Austin, as well as father Hobson Dewey Lambert, Sr. and mother Gladys Austin Lambert, and Lonnie’s parents Clifford Aldridge and Lemay Chamberlain Aldridge Ward. Welcoming her at the Pearly Gates are sisters Zenovia Kassandra Echols (survived by husband Johnny Leo), Coy Austin Drake and husband W.P. Drake, and brothers Bill Austin and wife Glenda, Eustice Austin and wife Alma, Charles Austin (KIA WWII), Kenneth Austin, and Silas Lambert.

She is survived by sisters Sally Crume and Garry Brown, brother Dewey Lambert, Jr. and Dewey’s wife Pam, and sister-in-law Roberta Aldridge Turley and Roberta’s beloved partner Danny Rothstein.

In lieu of flowers, Shirley would want you to venture somewhere new and exciting and to tell your family about the love and joy they bring to your life. Enjoy every moment which God has blessed you.

Family and friends are welcome for visitation on Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Atkinson funeral home in Malvern. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. Afterwards, Shirley will be laid to rest next to Lonnie in the Damascus cemetery. Www.atkinsonfuneralhome.net

Pallbearers: Robert and Jerry Turley, John and Allen Echols, and Gary and Robert Austin.

Honorary Pallbearers: Leo Echols, Danny Rothstein, Gary Austin, Nicholas and Christopher Outlaw, and Allen Brown.