Shirley Yell Obituary

A funeral service for Shirley Roberson Yell, age 88, of Petersburg, TN, will be held at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Jerry Raines officiating. Burial will follow in Yell Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM until the time of service at Higgins.
Shirley passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on July 11, 2025, at Elk River Health and Rehab in Fayetteville, TN.
She was born on September 30, 1936, in Huntsville, AL, to the late Lee H. and Sarah Cole Roberson. Shirley was proud of her roots and always considered it an honor to call Huntsville home. It was there she met her future husband, Charles "Gene" Yell, while attending Butler High School. They married in 1956 and shared 53 years of love and laughter together.
Shirley worked for many years as the executive secretary to the Vice President of Operations at Motorola, where she was known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to her work. Her career was a source of pride, and she carried the same commitment to excellence into all areas of her life.
With a warm heart and a quick wit, Shirley had a wonderful sense of humor that she shared most joyfully with her siblings, and any time spent with them was filled with laughter. She loved her family deeply and was especially proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always cherishing time spent with them, whether on vacation, running errands around town, or simply riding shotgun in the UTV.
Shirley had a special love for Christmas and everything that came with it: decorating, cooking, and hosting the Roberson family's beloved holiday gatherings for many years. She was known for her delicious chocolate pie and chicken and dressing, recipes that brought comfort and joy to those lucky enough to enjoy them.
A fan of both bluegrass and gospel music, she also had a soft spot for her dogs, who were loyal companions through the years. Shirley never met a stranger, never spoke unkindly of anyone, and loved to talk on the phone, always delighted when someone called to check in.
She is survived by her son, Rick (Annya) Yell; daughter, Tina (Keith) Moore; grandchildren, Jessica (Matt) Cocita, Shelby (Michael) Shertzer, Laura Yell, and Nathan (Ashley) Yell; great-grandchildren, Thomas Cocita, Aaron and John Wyatt Shertzer, and Charlie Yell; and her brother, Doug (Beth) Roberson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles Eugene Yell; sisters, Joyce Shumate and Barbara Cooke; and Cassie Schade who she viewed as her dearest friend.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Shirley Roberson Yell.