Shirley Haines Wagnon, age 78, of Sheffield, passed away February 3, after fighting a spirited and courageous battle with cancer over 2-1/2 years, always with a brave heart, and a kind word for all who cared for her, never complaining despite the difficulty of the struggle. She leaves a legion of friends, students, and family, all of whom adored her with good reason. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Foy Braxton Wagnon, Sr., her parents Eula S. Haines and William A. Haines, her sister Lois L. Everett, and daughter-in-law Cathleen D. Wagnon. Surviving Mrs. Wagnon are her children, Foy Braxton Wagnon, Jr., Audrey Brown Wagnon, Julianne Haines Wagnon, Laura Tilford Kidwell, Stan Wagnon, and Ravenna Tucker Wagnon. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Emily, Caroline, and Fox Wagnon, beloved sister and friend Naomi Haines Griffith, and loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Mrs. Wagnon was most recently a member of First United Methodist Church, Tuscumbia, and a former member of First Baptist Church, Sheffield. At First United Methodist Church, she served as rotation teacher for the Ethel Gary Sunday School Class and Friendship Class, and was a member of WMU’s Circle 5. She was a member of Sheffield Panorama Study Club, serving on the program committee for many years; JAMS Book Club; and the Helen Keller Literary Club. During her retirement, she served as an enthusiastic volunteer at Colbert Caring Center for many years.
Residing in Colbert County most of her life, Shirley was educated in Sheffield City Schools, Deshler High School, and Florence State College, and completed graduate studies in Latin and classics at the University of Alabama and Troy State University. She taught English, Latin, and Spanish at Sheffield High School for 32 full-time years, as well as numerous interspersed part-time years. Mrs. Wagnon loved to learn, and to teach, truly fulfilling a life’s calling through teaching opportunities in public schools. In addition to her professional teaching career, a joy of her life that she spoke of often was the opportunity to teach Sunday School for teenage and college girls, and young married women, along with a later-life commitment in teaching the Ethel Gary Class at Tuscumbia FUMC. In addition to teaching, the other profound joy in her life was the indefatigable expression of love and devotion to her husband, children, mother, sisters, and other family members, as well as a host of close and devoted friends, and to Christ, her entire life. Her passion for life and learning was continuous, and contagious, to the very end of her life, even while battling cancer. She loved to uplift and encourage others.
Services for Mrs. Wagnon will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 6, at First United Methodist Church, Tuscumbia, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the church. A family graveside service will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Sheffield. Pallbearers will include members of the Ethel Gary Class.
Mrs. Wagnon’s family would like to express special appreciation to Leora Horn, M.D., and Barbara Cardin, RN, of Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Richard Deal, M.D., and Hospice of the Shoals, as well as caregivers Hazel Reaves, Martha Bevis, Elder Care Services, Danny and Paula Watkins, and innumerable friends and family members who journeyed with her, and with us.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Colbert Caring Center, 108 Water Street, Tuscumbia, AL 35674 or First United Methodist Church, 104 E. Third Street, Tuscumbia, AL 35674.
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