Shirley Ruth Swindal Allen, passed away peacefully at home with her family in
Spanish Fort, AL, on August 16, 2022 at the age of 85. Shirley is preceded in death by
her husband, Fred R. Allen; her parents, Ruth and James Swindal; brothers Larry
Swindal, Ray Swindal, and Jerry Swindal; sisters
Stella McCauley and Dorathy Early. Shirley is survived by her daughters Judy Allen
of Foley, AL, and Alice Abernathy of Spanish Fort, AL, as well as beloved son-in-law
Chris Abernathy. She leaves behind two grandsons, Reese McWhorter and William
Abernathy, and two sisters Gloria Hancock (Jack) and Cindy Swindal, all of whom
she loved deeply.
Shirley, a spitfire with a heart of gold, was born in Sprott, AL. She moved to Calhoun
County as a teenager where she graduated from Alexandria High School in 195? .
She attended nursing school in Gadsden at Holy Name of Jesus Hospital where, after
graduating, she worked for most of her career before retiring in 1993. Shirley found
her passion serving as a home health nurse for Holy Name, the Etowah County Health
Department, and Riverview thus allowing her to touch many lives who in turn touched
hers. Her love language involved not only acts of service but also in frequently
surprising loved ones with thoughtful little treasures "just because."
Shirley was a devoted member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and
the CWF, Christian Women's Fellowship, in Gadsden. Upon its closure, she then
became a member of the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, joining the Daughters of
the King. She then moved to Anniston to be closer to family and joined St.
Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church where she worshiped faithfully.
A special thanks to Wanda McMillan and to Southern Care Hospice of Daphne for
being part of Shirley's journey home, as well as to Missy Self Davis for guiding us
along the hospice pathway. Hospice services allowed Shirley to be with her family
until the end.
Services will be held at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Gadsden, AL at 1 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Michael's Clinic
in Anniston, found at https://stmichaelsmedicalclinic.com/