Shirley Norrell Summerour Dobbins

May 18, 1932 - August 19, 2020

Shirley Norrell Summerour Dobbins, 88, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away August 19, 2020. Shirley, the 9th child of Charles Henry and Azza Lee Summerour, was born in a home on Robinson Road in rural East Cobb in 1932. She grew up working and playing with her eight siblings on farms her father sharecropped during and after the Great Depression. Shirley attended the old Mt. Bethel Elementary School until the 8th grade. She then took a 96 mile round trip bus ride to Acworth High School from East Cobb graduating in 1948. Shirley met and then wed her husband of 58 years, John Edwards Dobbins in 1950. Shirley retired from Lockheed after 25 years, with service separated to raise children. Shirley was a very active and devoted Southern Baptist and life long member of New Providence Baptist Church. Shirley taught Sunday school and played piano until her late eighties. Shirley was also very active in the community. She was a member of the Marietta Glass Club, Sope Creek Garden Club, and a group called the Entertainers which performed for nursing homes and other events in the area. Shirley was the 2012 “Senior Citizen of the Year” for Cobb County. Shirley loved her flowers and organized the flower show for the North Georgia State Fair for many years; a show in which she won many ribbons. Shirley was a faithful servant to God and all that knew her and she will be truly missed. Shirley was predeceased by her husband John, sisters Margaret, Blanche, Pauline, and brothers, Harold, Henry, Frank, Bill and Charles, Daughter in Law Penny Dobbins, Grandchildren Jennifer and Jacob. Shirley is survived by her children Sherman, Scott wife Darleen, Stacy wife Marci, and grandchildren Sarah, Shelby, John and Liza and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers Shirley requested donations to the New Providence Baptist Church Cemetery Fund. 3740 Providence Road, Marietta, GA 30062. The family will have a viewing at New Providence Baptist Church from 10am to 11am, August 23, 2020, followed by a celebration of life service and then the burial at the graveyard next to the church. Family and friends are invited to have a luncheon in the fellowship hall at 1pm. Historic Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta is in charge of arrangements. 770-428-1511