Shirley Anne Williams-Mills

Shirley Anne Williams-Mills (Elliott), affectionately known to many as “Shirley,” was born on September 25, 1943, in Saint Louis, Missouri, to James Monroe Elliott and the late Jennie Mae Bagby. She was the eldest of six siblings. Shirley accepted Christ at an early age; her life was rooted in faith and family, which remained central to her throughout her years. In her early years, she sang in the choir, served as a Girl Scout, and ran track in high school. In 1962, after graduating from Hadley Tech in St. Louis, Missouri, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she built a full and vibrant life. In 1981, Shirley found her passion as a professional barber/hairstylist, a career she loved and through which she touched the lives of countless clients and friends. Shirley was a faithful member of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Jerry Black, where she found joy singing in the choir and fellowshipping with her fellow church members. Shirley was known for her strong will, her deep generosity, and her unmatched sense of humor. She enjoyed music—especially dancing—watching movies, and spending time laughing with her family and friends. She had a gift for bringing joy into every room she entered. Shirley’s family and friends will forever remember her bright spirit, her caring heart, and her ability to make others smile. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving father, James Monroe Elliott; devoted daughters: Audrey “DD” Adams, Juanita “Kay” Jenkins, and Andrea “Suzanne” Kirkland; her honorary son, Nicholas Walker; her beloved sisters: Anne Polk, Brenda Sanders, and Millie Hill-Byrd; her adored grand children: Tonya Johnson, Richard Adams, Brandon Carroway, Chloe Carroway, and Geniecia Price; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Shirley’s life and legacy will live on through the love, laughter, and lessons she instilled in those who knew her. On September 12, 2025, Shirley peacefully entered eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jennie Mae; her sister, Betty Elliott; her brother, Woodrow “Butters” Harris, Jr.; and her late husband, Sylvester Mills. Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034.

Tributes

Shirley Anne Williams-Mills

September 25, 1943 - September 12, 2025