James Shirley

James Shirley, age 96, passed away in his home in Baton Rouge on August 24, 2022. He was born in Choctaw County, Alabama, to Jesse Harmon Shirley and Nora Dunnam Shirley and was one of nine children. The family later moved to Kentwood, LA, where he was raised. He is a WWII Veteran having served in the Army Air Corps. He retired from SheII Oil Company as a drilling superintendent with 35 years of service. He was a member of the Tiger Athletic Foundation and will proudly be buried in his TAF purple blazer. He loved sports, particularly the LSU Tigers, hunting, fishing, and anything outdoors. Most of all though he loved his family. He was married for 65 years to his loving wife, Mary Nettles Shirley, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Lacy and husband Rick (Baton Rouge); two grandchildren, Alex Lacy (Denver, CO) and Anna Lacy (Baton Rouge); sisters Delores Bennett (Denham Springs, LA) and Catherine Middleton (Terry, MS); sister-in-law Virginia Shirley (Brookhaven MS) and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Janice and Kenny Cutrer, along with many nieces and nephews and other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and siblings Elsie Vest (Hollis), Inez Stephens, Vernon Shirley (Alice), Vernice Cook (Jimmy), Harmon Shirley, and Bonnie Shirley. Also brother-in-law Alton Nettles Jr. and wife Darci, and sister-in-law Ethel Hyde and husband Huey. Visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge, on Monday, August 29, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. conducted by his brother-in-law, Pastor Kenny Cutrer. Interment will be in Resthaven Gardens of Memory.