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Shirley Ann Grunert
July 2, 2026
Shirley Ann Grunert
July 12, 1944 – July 1, 2026
On July 1, 2026, Shirley Ann Grunert, 81, of Atmore, Alabama, ran into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she loved with all her heart.
Shirley was the daughter of the late Sephers and Novella Jackson; loving wife of her adoring husband, Horst-Werner “Mike” Grunert; and sweet mama to her children Angela Colley (Keith), Karen McRae (Mark), the late Boyd Johnson (Tonya), Teri Peterson (Mike), and Kacie Campbell (Rodney), and her bonus children, Eric Grunert (Mary), Heidi Grunert, and Chris Grabarkwitz.
She adored her grandchildren Jared, Christina, Malcolm, Mackenzie, Jordan, Joshua, Kela, Michael, Janae, Thrice, Gwyn, Cally, Mecoa, Ellie, and Bailey, as well as five great-grandchildren. She was loved deeply by many nieces, nephews, and bonus grandchildren from this big, beautiful, blended family.
Shirley was born on July 12, 1944, in Brewton, Alabama. Her childhood was spent with her sisters Betty, Joyce, Hilda, and Linda, as well as her late brother Billy Jackson (Brenda). Although they didn’t have much, her mother, Novella, passed down a sense of adventure and fun to her children that Shirley lived out to the end of her days.
She met her husband, Mike, in November 1962 while working at S.H. Kress Five and Dime in Pensacola, Florida. She was immediately drawn to his Navy whites and handsome blue eyes. They were married on June 7, 1963. Although they separated for many years, they found their way back to each other and married again on March 24, 1989, while living in Texas. They spent the last 37 years growing more in love and deeper in their relationships with Christ. Shirley deeply treasured their time studying the Word, attending church, and praying and worshipping together.
She could out-fish anyone and had no problems beating her own grandkids at a game of Phase 10 or Words with Friends. She loved good ice in her drink, White Linen perfume, dancing to a good tune, white roses, heading to the beach to watch the waves, a well-done steak, traveling to new places, and studying the Bible. Shirley was independent, fun, creative, loving, had the most amazing green thumb, and enjoyed being a mom to her children more than anything.
A visit out to a restaurant nearly always included Shirley making friends with strangers, telling them about Jesus, and finding out ways she could pray for them. She started a video Bible study on Facebook, walked with others from her church, and always found ways to encourage others. If you ever met Shirley, she absolutely prayed for you, and possibly daily.
Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at her church home, Atmore First Baptist Church.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., at Atmore First Baptist Church. Please feel free to wear bright, happy colors to honor Shirley.
A private burial will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, it would make Shirley so happy to see donations sent to St. Jude or Shriners Hospitals for Children, whom Mike and Shirley have supported for years, or St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where her granddaughter is currently being treated.
We are forever thankful for the life of our dear wife, mom, grandma, aunt, sister, and friend. A special thank you to Rhonda and the rest of the staff at Southern Care Hospice Services who lovingly cared for our mom in her last days. Thank you for your prayers and love during this time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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