1923
Shirley
2020
Shirley A. Carey
December 21, 1923 — April 9, 2020
Shirley Ann Carey, 96 years of age, went to be with her heavenly Father peacefully on April 9, 2020 at Hospice of Okeechobee. She was born in St. Jacob, Illinois and lived most of her younger years there.
She lived her life to the fullest with an incredibly courageous and infectious spirit. Shirley always had an encouraging word and message of hope and a well lived walk of faith, proclaiming that we all need Jesus in our lives. Shirley was full of love and compassion for her family, friends and community. She was active in various churches throughout her life and always played an important role from teaching Sunday School, playing the piano and in the Salvation Army band. She was a devoted member of Sunrise Tabernacle Church with Pastor Tommy York. Our family enjoyed many all night Gospel Sings growing up and she always had a creative way of entertaining her children and grands.
Shirley was fortunate to have been married to three compassionate men and she loved them all, who preceded her in death. She worked for over 40 years in the insurance business including 30 years for Haines and Haines Insurance. Shirley also worked alongside her husband as a special agent with the FBI until he became very ill. Shirley took an active part in her community and was a giving individual in many capacities. She enjoyed singing in Sweet Adelines and enjoyed Home League (a women’s organization at the Salvation Army). Shirley was an avid bell ringer every Christmas season for many years.
Shirley is survived by her three children: Joe Benefiel, Sally Miller (Nolan) and Carol Tomlinson (Jamie)
She has 15 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren
She is also survived by one sister, Lynda Ghidotti, of Bangor, MI and 9 nieces and nephews and 9 great nieces and nephews.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, George and Marguerite Searcy, a brother, Robert Searcy and sister, Kathryn Searcy. Husbands, Joe H. Benefiel, Sr., Earl W. Benefiel and I.W. Carey.
We would like to extend a special thanks to her doctors of many years, Dr. Ahmed, Dr. B. Shareef and Dr. Rudolph, Lawnwood Regional Medical Center, Lawnwood Physical Rehabilitation Center and Hospice of Okeechobee and their wonderful staff.
In lieu of flowers, we are asking memorial gifts to be sent to Hospice of Okeechobee, 411 SE 4th St., Okeechobee, FL 34974
Due to the social distancing requirements from the COVID 19 the Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
She lived her life to the fullest with an incredibly courageous and infectious spirit. Shirley always had an encouraging word and message of hope and a well lived walk of faith, proclaiming that we all need Jesus in our lives. Shirley was full of love and compassion for her family, friends and community. She was active in various churches throughout her life and always played an important role from teaching Sunday School, playing the piano and in the Salvation Army band. She was a devoted member of Sunrise Tabernacle Church with Pastor Tommy York. Our family enjoyed many all night Gospel Sings growing up and she always had a creative way of entertaining her children and grands.
Shirley was fortunate to have been married to three compassionate men and she loved them all, who preceded her in death. She worked for over 40 years in the insurance business including 30 years for Haines and Haines Insurance. Shirley also worked alongside her husband as a special agent with the FBI until he became very ill. Shirley took an active part in her community and was a giving individual in many capacities. She enjoyed singing in Sweet Adelines and enjoyed Home League (a women’s organization at the Salvation Army). Shirley was an avid bell ringer every Christmas season for many years.
Shirley is survived by her three children: Joe Benefiel, Sally Miller (Nolan) and Carol Tomlinson (Jamie)
She has 15 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren
She is also survived by one sister, Lynda Ghidotti, of Bangor, MI and 9 nieces and nephews and 9 great nieces and nephews.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, George and Marguerite Searcy, a brother, Robert Searcy and sister, Kathryn Searcy. Husbands, Joe H. Benefiel, Sr., Earl W. Benefiel and I.W. Carey.
We would like to extend a special thanks to her doctors of many years, Dr. Ahmed, Dr. B. Shareef and Dr. Rudolph, Lawnwood Regional Medical Center, Lawnwood Physical Rehabilitation Center and Hospice of Okeechobee and their wonderful staff.
In lieu of flowers, we are asking memorial gifts to be sent to Hospice of Okeechobee, 411 SE 4th St., Okeechobee, FL 34974
Due to the social distancing requirements from the COVID 19 the Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley A. Carey, please visit our flower store.
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