Shirley A. Worthington, age 81, of Battle Creek died peacefully at her home on Wednesday morning, November 27, 2019. She was born in Battle Creek on July 7, 1938, the daughter of James and Lillian (Knowles) Elliott. Shirley graduated from Lakeview High School with the Class of 1956 and retired from Michigan Paper Board in 2000, after more than 18 years of service.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Ronald Worthington; her two daughters, Debi (Lynn) Savage and Valorie Koehler; her two step-sons, Kristopher Worthington and Brent Viers; four grandchildren, Beau, Josh, Eric and Chelsea; five great-grandchildren, Walter, Audrey, Velouria, James and Thomas; six step-grandchildren, Alexa, Abby, Allison, Addison, Kadim, and Kalan; and three siblings, James (Pat) Elliott, Nancy (Skip) Huff and Janett Raymond. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lillian.
Shirley enjoyed knitting, bowling, hunting, camping and loved Harleys and her Camaro convertible. She was an avid U of M fan and also loved her Detroit Lions and Tigers. Shirley was known to her grandchildren as "Candy Grandma", because she always had a sweet treat for them.
The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, December 2, 2019 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. A private family memorial service will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials directed to the Elara Caring Hospice Foundation would be appreciated. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Shirley may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.