SHIRLEY ANN COBB

                It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and noted Henderson businesswoman, Shirley Ann Cobb, who died Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family.  She was 76 years old.

                Shirley was born Tuesday, September 23, 1947, at the Jenny Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, to the late Waldo and Marie Johnson Cornelius.  Shirley graduated in 1965 from Henderson City High School.  When her parents retired and moved to Lakeland, Florida, Shirley went to work for Firestone Tire in Henderson.  In 1966, Shirley married Maurice Cobb.  Together, they opened Cobb’s Body Shop which was famous for painting the Little Red Wagon drag car.  In 1970, Shirley gave birth to their only child, Marcie Ann Cobb.  Later, alongside her in-laws, Elvie and Gladys Cobb, the family opened Western Kentucky Auto Salvage.  It was during this time, Elvie showed Shirley the ropes of operating a successful business.  In the 80’s, Shirley and Maurice founded MWC Oil Company, one of the largest oil producers in the southern states.  When the oil boom ended in 1990, Shirley went to work as an executive administrator for her father-in-law, Elvie Cobb, and his wife, Mary Alice Casey Cobb, at Casey’s Pawn Shop, Casey’s Rent to Own, Casey’s Check Advance, and later opening Smoke Break as her own business having two locations in Henderson and one in Owensboro.  Shirley remained dedicated to the growth and prosperity of Henderson throughout her life.  Because of her lifelong commitment to her community, she was awarded the highest honor a Kentuckian could receive and that is the title of Kentucky Colonel in 2021 by Governor Andy Beshear.

                Shirley loved to travel and experience life.  Whether it was scuba diving in the Red Sea, snorkeling in Bon Aire, shaking the dance floor down in Cozumel, or riding camels through the ancient pyramids of Egypt, dancing across the stage to her favorite Dottie West and John Conlee songs at the Grand Ole Opry, or strutting down Bourbon Street in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, Shirley enjoyed the experiences.  

                An avid animal lover, Shirley relished her beloved wiener dogs, Penny, and Dax; her remarkable pet racoon, Roscoe; and now her cherished corgi, Ruby, and chocolate lab, Maizey.  A true lover of equestrian sports, Shirley co-owned several thoroughbred racehorses and thoroughly enjoyed seeing them race.  

                Shirley was a previous member of Community Baptist Church and a current member of First Christian Church in Henderson.

Preceding Shirley in death were her parents, Waldo and Marie Johnson Cornelius; in-laws, Elvie and Mary Alice Casey Cobb and Gladys Cobb; and daughter, Marcie Ann Haynes.

                Survivors include her grandson she raised as her own, Tyler M. Haynes, his husband Brayden; granddaughter, Maddie A. Haynes, her fiancé, Wade Dunn; great-grandson, Brayden A. Dunn, all of Henderson, Kentucky; brothers, Michael W. Cornelius, his wife Delores, and Steven D. Cornelius, his wife Karen, both of Lakeland, Florida, aunts, Mary Jane Cornelius, Frieda Cornelius, and Betty Cornelius, of Cerulean, Kentucky; her ex-husband, Maurice W. Cobb, of Okeechobee, Florida; cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends.  

                A service to celebrate the life of Shirley will be held at noon Friday, March 8, 2024, at First Christian Church in Henderson, Kentucky.  The Reverend David L. Clifford will officiate.  Interment will follow at St. Louis Cemetery in Henderson.

                Visitation will be 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2024, and until 11:00 a.m. Friday at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home, 604 Center Street, Henderson, Kentucky 42420.

                Pallbearers will be John Clay Cavanah, Wade Dunn, Craig Cornelius, Johnathan Butler, Chris Smithhart, Shane Smithhart, Jonas T. Schweikhard, and Tristan Overfield.

                The family wishes to thank the caregivers who dedicated their time and services to Shirley while she was battling Alzheimer’s disease, the late Cora Sheffer, Onnastasia Clifford, and Moira Miller, without whom we could not have made it.  A special thank you to Jerel L. Schneider and our Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home family and the staff of St. Anthony’s Hospice for their loving care. 

                Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Anthony’s Hospice or First Christian Church.

                Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.