Shirley Ann Pugh

Shirley Ann Pugh was born on December 14, 1949, in Trenton, Tennessee, to the late Benjamin Ivy and Lurlie McTizie. She was the third of five children. Shirley graduated from Rosenwald High School in 1967 and furthered her education at Tennessee State University where she majored in Sociology. She later obtained her Teacher Certification at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee, and earned her Master’s Degree from Grand Canyon University in 2015. 

She was united in Holy Matrimony on June 30, 1973, to Joe Willie Pugh in Trenton, Tennessee. To this union was born four children, Kimberly, Sharon, Joseph, and Jason.

Shirley loved teaching children and worked in the educational system for over forty years. Shirley started and ended her teaching career at Lone Star Elementary. She, also, taught at Good Shepard Christian Academy for eight-teen years. Other institutions of learning included John Love Elementary, Carter G. Woodson, and Northwestern Legends Elementary. In addition to teaching, she worked part-time at Belk for over twenty-five years.

Shirley accepted Christ as a youth. She was a former member of the Cathedral of Faith Church of God in Christ of Jacksonville, Florida for over twenty years. Shirley was an active and faithful member of Emmanuel Church of God in Christ of Jacksonville, under the leadership of Pastor Gabriel Hall, until her passing. She served as a Sunday School teacher for elementary school students, a Pastor’s Aide board member, Deacon Wives Circle, and a member of District #4, with her husband as leader.

She devoted herself faithfully and wholeheartedly to serving her Savior in each season of her life. Shirley was a talented, fun-loving woman who enjoyed life, family, and friends. In addition, Shirley enjoyed shopping and had an eye for fashion.

Shirley was preceded in death by her father, Benjamin Ivy; mother, Lurlie McTizie; stepfather, Supt. Buford McTizie; and two brothers, Joe Word and Jerome McTizie.

On Sunday, August 27, 2023, Joe, her four children along with their spouses, and the four grandchildren surrounded Shirley as she faced the sunset of her days on earth and entered her rest joining her precious Savior in eternity.

Shirley has left an indelible impact to be remembered by her husband of over fifty years, Joe Willie Pugh; four children, Kimberly Jernigan (Robert), Sharon Pugh, Joseph Pugh (Alyson Waterman), and Jason Pugh; four grandchildren, Robert Clifton Jernigan III, Kayla Ann-Marie Jernigan, Joseph William Pugh Jr., and Alice Kathleen Pugh; two sisters, Armarie Bates (Clabon) and Irma “Judy” Sims; one brother-in-law, Charles Inman; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, church family, coworkers and friends.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the Family.

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