Obituary of Shirley A Lumpkin

Mrs. Shirley Ann Lumpkin (née Fairbanks), age 95, passed away peacefully at home in the care of her loved ones. She was born in Flint, Michigan on January 6, 1928, and passed away in Mesa, Arizona on March 27, 2023.

Shirley was a woman of faith, and her commitment to serving the Lord was evident in everything she did. She was an active member of the church communities to which she belonged throughout her life and was known by all for embodying the Christ-like values of love, compassion, forgiveness, humility, and selflessness. Her motto, which was written on the back page of her bible was “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, for all the people you can, while you can!”

A hard-working woman, Shirley retired from Motorola in 1991 after 28 years working in its manufacturing plant where she earned service awards for her tireless work ethic.

Shirley was an avid painter, craftsperson, seamstress, piano player, and hiker. She loved nothing more than spending time in nature, and she hiked well into her 80s, including hiking the Grand Canyon regularly. Her passion for the outdoors and her adventurous spirit inspired many.

Shirley was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Lt. Col. Robert F. Lumpkin Jr, who passed away in 1998. Together they spent 17 wonderful and happy years. She is survived by her children Edward Smith, Viola Burke, and Glenna Williams (from first marriage to Glenn G. Smith, deceased) and her stepchildren, Deidra Rambo and Glenn Lumpkin. She was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Shirley will be remembered as a faithful servant of God, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, a passionate lover of nature, and a creative artist and musician. But most of all she will be remembered for touching the lives of all who knew her with humor, positivity, and unwavering kindness. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.