Shirley Sutherlin Obituary

Shirley Sutherlin 89, of Livermore, Kentucky passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Heartford House in Owensboro. Shirley Ann Davis was born February 24, 1936 in McLean County, Kentucky to the late Ben J. and Stella Rae Penrod Davis and was married to Leslie Jay 'Boggie' Sutherlin on April 6, 1957.
Shirley was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and teacher. She taught at Livermore Elementary School for 40 years and was a member of Livermore United Methodist Church. Many in the community knew her for her kind, yet strict instruction in the elementary basics, as well as the fundamentals of Christian life. Shirley would lovingly teach you what she believed was right, and then earnestly pray for you if you happened to stray a bit.
Family get-togethers for holidays and any occasion delighted her! A consummate hostess, she always prepared a banquet suited for at least twice as many as attended, ensuring her loved ones went home with plenty of comforting leftovers. In times of need, distress, and even celebration, you could count on having one of her delicious pecan pies.
Shirley was a quiet, yet industrious woman. Her home was clean, her kitchen always in use, and her pantry full of canned, family favorites. A great week for Mrs. Shirley would include reading her Upper Room, completing several word search puzzles, talking to her daughters to ensure they were doing what was expected, and catching the evening news and weather updates.
After her retirement from teaching, Shirley pursued volunteer involvement at the RiverPark Center's Friday After Five events in Owensboro. She and her long-time friend, Barbara Hatfield, were charged with preventing patrons from leaving the events with alcohol. Her daughters often teased her about her second career, as a bouncer!
In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Leslie 'Boggie' Sutherlin, who died May 9, 2000; a daughter, Sondra Ashton; a granddaughter, Alyssa Austin; a great-granddaughter, Georgia Sorenson; and her two sisters, Reta Conrad and Shelby Huffman.
Shirley is survived by two daughters, Leisa Prater of Owensboro and Kimberley Austin (Bryan) of Calhoun; five grandchildren, Lori Sorenson (Skip), Adam Austin (Jessica), Ashley Tuggle, Tyler Ashton (Anna), and Matt Ashton (Joice); fifteen great-grandchildren, Arik Sorenson, Lio Sorenson, Isla Sorenson, Hazel Sorenson, Allie Austin, Ava Austin, Hayse Austin, Hadley Hardin, Laney Tuggle, Owen Tuggle, Austin Moore, Jaclyne Ashton, Jameson Ashton, Rayne Ashton, and Kenny Ashton; and a brother, Jimmie Davis (Margery) of Philpot.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Muster Funeral Homes, Livermore Chapel. Burial will be in the Island Community Cemetery in McLean County. Friends may visit with Shirley's family from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. Thursday at Musters in Livermore.
The Shirley Sutherlin family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Island Community Cemetery Fund; C/O Susan Edmonds; 125 East Broadway; Island, Kentucky 42350.
Shirley's services will be streamed live on musterfuneralhomes.com at 3:00 P.M. Thursday.
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