TALLULAH — Mary Shirley Ulmer died Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, after a long illness in Tallulah.

Mary was born in Meridian, Miss., on Nov. 15, 1923. She graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Meridian and remained a devout Catholic her entire life. She spent much of her adult life working for Jr. Food Marts in Meridian.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Clifton Shirley and Margaret Cecelia Semmes Shirley; brother, Walter Clifton Shirley Jr.; sister, Sadie Brackman; and three of her eight children, David, Shirley and Barbara.

She is survived by her brother, Louie Shirley of Abbeville, La.; one daughter, Mary Ann Ulmer; four sons, Curtis, Richard, John and Mike; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Mary will be remembered as a wonderful mother who always put her children first. She never met a stranger and was so generous that she gave away all that she ever possessed. She was so proud that all her children received degrees from the University of Mississippi and grateful to the university for its financial support.

The family would like to thank Mary Jane Eiland and the staff at Olive Branch Nursing Home in Tallullah, as well as Patients’ Care Hospice of Tallulah.

Visitation will be at Crothers-Glenwood Funeral Home, No. 2 Crothers Drive, Tallulah, from 4 until 6 p.m. today. A funeral Mass will be at 9 a.m. Monday at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Tallulah. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Semmes Cemetery in Meridian.