Shirley Dene Taylor

Shirley Dene Bray Taylor, 88, of Malvern passed away on June 20, 2021. She was born on July 9, 1932, to Lawrence Raymond “Buddy” Bray and Jennie Walker Bray.

Shirley was a loving wife to Pastor Earnest Harold Taylor and mother to their three children, Sharon, Brenda and Larry.

Shirley spent many years as a pastor’s wife and homemaker, but after her three children were grown, she decided to attend college to become a nurse. She spent many years as a nurse at Baptist Hospital on the Orthopedic Floor. Once she retired from nursing, she and her husband traveled the country often with at least one child, grandchild or great-grandchild joining the fun. Shirley had many joys in life, but her biggest joy was being a grandma to five and great grandma to seven.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Lawrence “Bo” Bray and sister, Faye Bray House.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Sharon Malnar and Brenda Davis and son, Larry Taylor; grandchildren, Lezlee, Stephanie, Jamee, Blake and Jacob, also seven great-grandchildren, and one brother Jimmy Bray.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 24, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Atkinson Funeral Home Chapel.

Services will be held Friday, June 25, 2021, at 2:00 PM at the Big Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Malvern with Mark Thornton officiating.

Interment will follow at Neighbors Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Blake, Jacob, Andrue, Hunter, Taylor and Robert.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Atkinson Funeral Home of Malvern, Arkansas. Guests may register at www.atkinsonfuneralhome.net