Shirley Ann Clarke Wantland departed this earthly existence on November 14, 2025, after a long battle with gastric cancer. We feel quite sure that the first thing she did was check in over the Rainbow Bridge to reunite with her beloved fur babies that meant so much to her. Every stray that came to her door was taken in, given a home, and loved. She was devoted to doing whatever she could to preserve the environment, and was a staunch supporter of recycling. She loved nature, being outside, and summertime. She loved little kids, and it was a joy to grow up with her as our mother. She was privileged to teach the kids' Sunday School class at Liberty Christian Church in Newnan, where her husband was a pastor since 1969. She was a gentle, kind, and empathetic friend to all who knew her, and a light in our lives.

On one of her many trips to the infusion center for treatment, Nurse Kylie once told her that someone was "asking about the little woman who always wore a hat and was always smiling." She said, "I knew just who she was talking about. That's Mrs. Wantland." She went through life with a smile on her face for all, and she will be sorely missed.

Shirley was born October 3, 1936, to James and Lena Clarke, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. She was the sole daughter in the middle of four brothers, two older and two younger. After high school, she went to College at Lincoln Christian College in Illinois, where she met and married a fellow student, Burdett Wantland. They had three daughters, then moved to Columbia, Missouri, where Shirley was a full-time pastor's wife and a mother. In 1968, the family moved to Georgia, where Shirley resumed her college classes and worked at both the Registrar's Office and the Library at West Georgia College, now the University of West Georgia. Happily, she did finish her college degree; after 30 years of taking part-time classes, in 1984 she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History.

She was predeceased by her husband, Burdett Wantland; her parents, James and Lena Clarke; her two older brothers, Gene Clarke and Don Clarke; a nephew, Michael Clarke; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Alice Ann and Delbert Wilson of San Antonio, Texas. She is survived by daughters Janet Wantland of Mount Zion; Jill and Don Long, of Remlap, Alabama; Janell and Lonnie Adams of Bowdon; brothers Larry and Barbara Clarke of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Steve and Bonnie Clarke of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; grandson Josh and Jeannie Peden of Gulf Breeze, Florida; great-grandson Davis Peden of Gulf Breeze; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, most of whom live in Illinois, one in Texas, and one in Missouri.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 1:30 pm from the chapel of Almon Funeral Home with Mr. Kenneth Helton officiating. The family will have a time of visitation following the memorial service.

Flowers are accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the Burdett and Shirley Wantland Philosophy Scholarship, 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30118.

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.