Shirley Ann Greene

December 26, 1941 – July 25, 2025

Shirley Ann (King) Greene, age 83, passed away peacefully in Enterprise, Alabama, surrounded by the love of her family. Funeral services will be held at 9AM on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home & Crematory in Enterprise. Burial will follow at Alabama National Cemetery located at 3133 Hwy 119 Montevallo, AL 35115. Visitation will be from 8AM until service time.

Shirley was born on December 26, 1941, in Biloxi, Mississippi (Harrison County), the firstborn child of Lucille Isabel Duvernay and Robert Earl King. As the eldest of six siblings: Robert Earl King III (Junior), Eugene (Gene), Wayne, Sandra Diane, and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) and Shirley naturally took on a nurturing role that she carried throughout her life.

She was raised in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and graduated from St. Martin High School in 1959 where she was crowned as the schools first Homecoming Queen. After graduation, Shirley began her working life in retail before taking a position as a secretary with Robinson Motor Company in Biloxi.

In 1961, Shirley met the love of her life, Air Force Airman Ben Greene, who was stationed at Keesler AFB. The two quickly fell in love and were married on November 30, 1962. Though Ben received orders to Germany shortly after their wedding, Shirley courageously joined him overseas several months later, where they began their family. Their son, Gregory Allen Greene, was born on September 4, 1963, at Landstuhl Army Hospital in Germany.

Their life together was one of great dedication and resilience. As a military spouse, Shirley managed multiple relocations, raised their children during Ben’s many assignments, and created a loving and stable home in every place they lived—from Savannah, Georgia, to New Jersey, Mississippi, California, Alabama, and finally Florida.

In 1968, Shirley and Ben welcomed their daughter, Karen Theresa Greene, into the world at Ft. Dix, New Jersey. During Ben’s overseas tours, Shirley anchored the family with strength, grace, and unwavering support.

After Ben’s retirement from the Air Force in 1982 and later his civilian career, the couple eventually settled in Vancleave, Mississippi, to be closer to Shirley’s roots. In 2017, they relocated once more to Enterprise, Alabama, to be near Karen and her family.

Shirley will be remembered for her deep devotion to her family, her quiet strength, and her enduring love for her husband, children, and grandchildren. She exemplified what it meant to be a supportive wife, a loving mother, and a woman of grace through every chapter of life.

She is survived by her beloved husband of over 62 years, Ben Lewis Greene; her children, Gregory Allen Greene (Lori) and Karen Theresa Tucker (Ted); her grandchildren, Chelsea Burn (Michael), Jordan Hilgenfeldt (Spencer), Nicholas Tucker (Taylor) and Andrew Harris (Tiffany); great grandchildren Avery and Elena Tucker, Kaycen and Kolby Burn, and Theo and Aggie Harris, siblings, Eugene King, Sandra Diane Quave and Mary Elizabeth Torgerson; and a host of extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

Her journey was one marked by service, sacrifice, and love a legacy that will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery PO Box 648 Montevallo, AL 35115

Sorrells Funeral Home and Crematory of Enterprise, (334) 347-9598, is in charge of arrangements. To sign a guest register, please visit www.sorrellsfuneralhomeenterprise.com.