Shirley Young Poythress, born in Quitman, MS, on February 17, 1938, went home to be with the Lord on August 6, 2025, in Livingston, TX, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Shirley was a beautiful and popular girl at Quitman High School, being a cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. As a young telephone operator for AT&T, Shirley met and married fellow AT&T worker, Joe Poythress of Meridian, MS. Their wonderful marriage spanned 63 years and many moves across the country. As a stay-at-home mom, Shirley focused on family, making a beautiful home, being involved in the community and in her church. She was active as a girl scout leader, youth leader, and Sunday school teacher. When her girls were young, she worked as a kindergarten teacher. As her girls grew older, Shirley went back to work as a manager for AT&T. Joe and Shirley retired to Quitman, MS, in the late 1990’s and became active in the community and First Baptist Church of Quitman. Shirley used her beautiful soprano voice for the Lord singing in the choir. She led WMU and enjoyed teaching dear ladies in a senior women’s Sunday school class for many years. Her many interests included entertaining, cooking, sewing, china painting, piano playing, singing, cultivating roses, and collecting beautiful things. Shirley was a shining light to her family, community, and friends.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Hazel Young; her siblings, Tommy Young, Ronnie Young, Jimmy Young, and Suzanne Priester; her niece, Brandi Priester; her nephew, Brad Young; and her husband, Joe Poythress.
She is survived by her daughters, Julie Darby Wilkinson (Ernie) and Amy Elisabeth Johnson (Brett); her grandsons, Ryan (Katharine), Shane (Krystle), Spencer (Megan), and Connor; and six great grandchildren, Melody, Maddie and Evie Pulliam, and William, Madeleine, and Philip Darby; and also by her brothers-in-law, Phil Poythress (Kathy) and Billy Priester; sisters-in-law, Vickie Poythress and Sue Young; and lifelong family friend, Gertie Meyers.
Shirley was a devoted wife to her beloved husband Joe and a loving mother and grandmother. Shirley showed the love of Jesus to those around her. She will be greatly missed by those whose lives she touched.
Memorial service to be announced at a later date.
Submitted by Family
