Shirley M. Garland, 83, passed away in Milton, Florida on June 28, 2019. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee and graduated from High School in Jacksonville, Florida, where she also accepted Christ and was baptized at the First Baptist Church. She received her A.B. Degree from Samford University and  M.S.W. Degree from Florida State University. The Carver School of Missions in Kentucky was also attended for special studies.

Her clinical experience included  2 ½ years on the staff of  the Children's Hospital, Menninger  Foundation and  she practiced as a Family and Child Therapist in Dallas, Texas for over 18 years providing emotional support to her patients and their families. During that period, she authored " Of  Castles and Dreams and Tender Things", a book  describing the experiences of the move from childhood, to adolescence  to adulthood. The book was dedicated to her patients and the struggle  for oneness and  one's self in the world . After she  closed her Practice in Dallas, Texas she returned to Birmingham and helped care for her aging Mother and  continued her devotion to children and families with the City of Midfield, Alabama , as the Community Librarian  for the City.

Preceded in death by her parents, H. H. Garland Sr. & Roxie L. Garland; sister Dorris L. Garland &  brother W. F. Garland. Survived by brothers H.H. Garland Jr. (Beth) & James A. Garland  (Natalie ),  sister Beverly G. Erskine and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

Private family graveside services by www.valhallafuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations  in Shirley's memory to the Samford University General Scholarship Fund.

" Briefly in the shadows of dementia, Shirley now dwells in heavenly light"