Shirley Irene (Casey) Thornton

Shirley Irene Thornton, 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 24 at her home. She was born December 31, 1938 in Zanesville, Ohio to Okey and Helen Williams Casey.

Intelligent, resourceful, and resilient, Shirley was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who loved her family fiercely. She was a woman ahead of her time, raising two daughters while excelling in her career and moving around the country. After she retired, she came to live with her daughters in Knightdale, North Carolina, where she continued to do the things she loved – gardening, cooking, playing (and winning) Scrabble, and taking care of her family.

She is survived by her daughters, Sherry Decker and Brandy Decker of Knightdale NC, grandsons: Casey Lake of Providence RI and Shelby Lake of Washington DC, great-grandsons: Connor & Parker Lake of Providence RI, and lifelong best friend, Margaret Zipperich in Cambridge Ohio.

Shirley’s wishes were to be cremated and no formal services be held.

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