Marye Shirley Henninger Maize, 92, a native of Tuscumbia, Ala., died Jan. 20, in St. Louis, Mo., with her four loving sons and her beloved daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, by her side.
Shirley, loving daughter of Alleeth and Ethan John Henninger, and sister of Scott Lyon Henninger of Tuscumbia, graduated from Deshler High School before going on to attend the University of Alabama and the University of Pennsylvania where she earned her undergraduate degree. Shirley earned her masters degree in art history from Northwestern University. Shirley taught art history at the University of North Alabama before becoming director of the Tennessee Valley Art Center in Tuscumbia from 1978-1996.
Shirley was married to Donald G. Maize of Philadelphia and raised four devoted sons, Barton Gill, Bruce Chitwood, William Compere and Charles Cooper. Her grandson, Robert Barton Maize, also survives her.
A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held on June 18 at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, where her two decades of visionary service made such an important impact on the development of the art center. Encouraging an appreciation for the arts and making art accessible to her home community was a major focus in Shirley’s life. The family welcomes all of Shirley’s friends to join us to celebrate her life. This remembrance will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 N. Water St., Tuscumbia.
