PENSACOLA, Fla. – Shirley Hall Humphrey, 88 of Pensacola, Fla. died Monday, Aug. 30, 2010.

Mother Shirley was born on Aug. 28, 1922 in Columbus, Ohio and had resided in Pensacola, Fla. since relocating from Winnfield, LA. in May of 1996.

After successfully raising 5 children and being active on the distaff side of her husband’s military career, Mother Shirley went back to school to focus more on her artistic endeavors. Earning a master’s degree in fine arts and becoming an accomplished artist in various media, Mother Shirley soon realized that there were more challenges and opportunities in her future. Like her husband, she had a calling to serve in God’s ministry, was accepted for the Seminary in Austin, Texas and received a master’s in divinity. Mother Shirley had the distinction of being the first female Episcopal priest in the Western Diocese of Louisiana. She was ordained by Bishop Robert J. Hargrove in 1990. The Right Reverend D. Bruce MacPherson served as her bishop and remained a mentor and dear friend for the remainder of her life. Mother Shirley had the blessing to serve her ministry along with her husband, Father Lee in various churches throughout Louisiana, Florida and Alabama. A member and Associate Priest at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Pensacola, Florida, Mother Shirley was loved and respected by many. As did her husband, Mother Shirley had a special love for the members of St. Anna’s Episcopal Church in Atmore. She and Father Lee felt the Poarch Creek Indians and other members of the church were near and dear to their hearts.

Mother Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Lee J. Humphrey and is survived by her five children; Karen Deeter, David Humphrey, Suzanne Long, Timothy Humphrey and James Humphrey, along with their children and grandchildren.

A Mass for the Resurrection will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Mount Olivet Chapel in Pineville, LA. on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. Bishop MacPherson will officiate. Graveside prayers and interment will follow at the adjacent Mt. Olivet Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in the near future at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Pensacola, with the Reverend Jeffrey Jencks officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends make donations to the Mt. Olivet Endowment Fund through St. James Church, 1620 Murray St., Alexandria, LA. 71301 Telephone: (318) 445-9845.