07/31/2026
Obituary for Mr. Claud Russell Shirley
Mr. Claud Russell Shirley, age 94, of Cu***ng, Georgia went home to be with the Lord on July 25, 2026 surrounded by family and loved ones at Northside Hospital Forsyth.
He was born on August 5, 1931 in Alpharetta, Georgia, the son to the late Wilburn Cleveland and Lily Mae Flynn Shirley.
Claud moved to Atlanta as a young adult after marrying the love of his life, Shirley Lee Henderson. They were married for 62 years until her passing and were blessed with two sons, two grandsons, one granddaughter, and two great-grandchildren.
He later married and is survived by his second wife, Barbara Shirley of Cu***ng, Georgia.
In Atlanta, Claud was a Manager for Mead Packaging, originally Atlanta Paper Company, for over 30 years.
Claud was in the Korean War and after moving back to Forsyth County, he helped start the volunteer Forsyth County Fire Department. He was a member of Union Baptist Church where he was a Deacon for many years. He was also a member of the Ducktown Masonic Lodge.
Music was a passion of his and he sang and played his guitar for many years, traveling to senior centers, Masonic Lodges, and Simply Southern Restaurant.
Along with his parents and first wife, Claud is preceded in death by his sons, Danny Ray Shirley and Marcus Craig Shirley; his sisters, Allene Sisson, Ruby Frisby, and Georgia Cronan; and his brothers, John Edward Shirley, JC Shirley, and Grover Shirley.
He is survived by his second wife and three siblings; Crawford (Debbie) Shirley of Cu***ng, Charlene (Larry) Foster of Braselton, and Darlene Bradford of Jefferson; his two half-sisters, Joyce Stamey of Jasper, and Doris Westbrooks of W. Melbourne, Florida; his three grandchildren, Brett Cole Shirley of Flowery Branch, Cody Lane Shirley and Emily Jane Shirley, both of Calera, Alabama; his great grandchildren, Braydon Matthew Shirley and Teagen Michelle Shirley of Buford; his precious niece that loved him dearly, Judy Jackson of Dawsonville; and many other family members.
The visitation for Claud will take place the evening of Thursday, July 30 from 6:00 o’clock until 8:00 o’clock and on Friday, July 31, 2026 prior to the service at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, Georgia 30075 from 12:00 o’clock until 2:00 o’clock. The funeral service to honor the life of Claud Russell Shirley will be at 2:00 o’clock on Friday, July 31, 2026 in the chapel.
