Shirley DeWitt

Shirley Roberson DeWitt, 88, of Dyersburg, TN, died Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Maple Ridge Assisted Living after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
Born August 4, 1937, in Pittsburg County, OK, to Earnest William and Iva Ardeth Tucker Smith, she was the fourth of five children. She was a loving stay-at-home mother in her younger years and later a franchise owner of Sonic Drive In and partner of D&B Properties.
Shirley married her high school sweetheart, Beryl Roberson, Jr., in 1954, and they raised four children in Baxter Springs, KS. In 1987, she married J. V. (Jack) DeWitt. Active citizens of Dyersburg, they supported many community organizations and established a scholarship fund at Dyersburg Community College. They attended Dyersburg Church of God and Village Baptist Church in Destin, FL.
She was a natural athlete at a time when it was less common for women to participate in sports. She lettered in basketball at Hartshorne (OK) High School and later competed in softball and bowling leagues. At age 60, she hit a hole in one at a golf course in Destin, FL.
Shirley was a proud grandmother who faithfully cheered on her children and grandchildren in all their activities. Her cooking and baking skills were legendary, and she loved family get-togethers where everyone played Yahtzee, Spades and "Doogies." For years, she and Jack presented a travelling trophy to the winner of the annual family Wii Golf competition held in their living room.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 1, 2026, in the Chapel of Curry Funeral Home officiated by Pastor Joseph Ballinger.
The family will receive friends Thursday beginning at 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Philip Potts, Kody Howard, Gabe Romero, Jack Romero, Ben Dzikowski, Charles Dzilowski, Thomas Dzikowski, Hunter Saffell, Jake Fountain, and Will Luckey will serve as pallbearers.
She is survived by her four children, Elaine Potts Stuart (John) of Fort Wayne, IN, Sue Hess (John) of Milan, TN, Mark Roberson (Carla) of Newbern, TN, and Penny Guthrie (Al) of Dyersburg; sister-in-law Judy Roberson Belt of McAlester, OK; ten grandchildren, Whitney Dzikowski (Bart), Philip Potts (Megan), Kari Luckey (Will), Robyn Taylor, Mallory Woods (Taylor), Chelsey Saffell (Hunter), Sara Jo Fountain (Jake), Kody Howard, Erin Terry (David), and Mackenzie Guthrie; seventeen great-grandchildren, Ben Dzkiwoski, Charles Dzikowski, Thomas Dzikowski, Elliott Beverly, Gabriel Romero, Jack Romero, Kate Romero, Ava Luckey, Anzley Taylor, Leighton Gallimore, Tripp Woods, Claire Woods, Andalyn Weatherly, William Fountain, Tucker Shaw Fountain, Hayden Terry and Ryland Terry; four step-children, several step-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband of 26 years, Beryl Roberson, and husband of 28 years, Jack DeWitt; three sisters, Stella Jiles, Inez Kramer, Dee Ana Strain; one brother, Russell Smith; four nephews, Mike Smith, Darrell Eller, James Beaty and Rex Smith; and two grandniece, Sharlotte Woods and Brandi Eller.
Over the years, Shirley was blessed with skilled and loving caregivers who became part of the family, including Nicole Hill Fowlkes, Kathy Shaw, Tara Nunn, Nora King, Valeria Morris, Franchesta Swift, Debbie Dance and Shirika Maclin.
The family thanks everyone at Maple Ridge Assisted Living in Dyersburg and Abe's Garden in Nashville.
The family requests memorials be directed to Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, Community Cancer Fund, PO Box 1055, Dyersburg, TN 38025-1055, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, 1 E Wacker Drive, Suite 1730, Chicago, IL 60601-1980, and the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
We are privileged and honored to serve the family of Shirley Roberson DeWitt. You may share your condolences and your memories with the family at www.curryfuneral.com.