Shirley Yvonne Harvey

July 6 1935-Dec. 29, 2022
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Shirley Yvonne Harvey on December 29th, 2022, at the age of 87 due to a lengthy illness. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Melvin Harvey, her parents Carl and Ruby (Stupperich)Johnson, her brother Lon Holy, sisters Violet Shipman and Patricia Malik and grandson, Gregory Woodhouse, Jr. Shirley is survived by her son Paul Harvey, daughters, Alison Schuler(fiancé John Carnaggio), Linda Smoyer(Steve), 9 grandchildren: Amelia Harvey, Amanda Floyd, Marisa Battell, Lee Cates, Julie Breeze, Craig Schuler, Kyle Schuler, Stephanie Lafontaine, Christina Woodhouse, 19 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Shirley was born July 6, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to Carl and Ruby Johnson. It was Ruby's 28th birthday, a day they lovingly shared. Shirley was born into the family of 2 sisters and a brother. They were Ruby's children from a previous marriage but they always thought of each other as true siblings. She attended schools in Chicago until 1947 when the family moved to Hollywood, Fl. Shirley graduated from South Broward High School in 1953. After high school she moved to Jacksonville, FL where she attended St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing to become a registered nurse. She was Salutatorian of her class. In 1954 she met her husband, the love of her life, Melvin Harvey. It was love at first sight. They married May 5, 1956.
In 1963 Melvin and Shirley moved to St. Augustine so 2 of their 3 children could attend Florida School for the Deaf and Blind (FSDB) and live at home. Shirley was active in the FSDB booster club and PTA. As a registered nurse she worked at Flagler Hospital, General Hospital, St. Johns County Practical Nursing Program and was the nursing supervisor at FSDB for 12 years.
After retiring, Shirley and Melvin traveled in their motor home, making 2 trips to Alaska and going up the East Coast to New Brunswick, Canada. They made 2 trips to Sweden to visit her relatives and on one of those trips drove through Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg and Denmark. They loved cruises; so, they went on quite a few of them. She also loved caves; so, they would try to see a cave on every trip. The traveling they loved the most was to their summer home near Maggie Valley, NC. She loved when the family could go, too.
Shirley belonged to the St. Augustine Scimitars and the Kham temple of the Daughters of the Nile in Jacksonville. She joined the Daughters of the Niles in 2006 and was the 1st president of the oldest city Nile club and a member of the marching patrol. She loved the Daughter of the Niles. As she told one granddaughter," the daughters of the Nile were the best friends she's ever had since high school".
Shirley loved being surrounded by her family and loved all the family gatherings. She will be sorely missed for her beautiful smile and her loving hugs. Shirley was a very spiritual woman. She had a good sense of humor, was smart, wise, always honest and very direct.
A Remembrance Service will be held at 3 pm, Thursday, January 5th,, with a visitation from 2-3 at Craig Funeral Home. Rev. Pat Turner-Sharpton is officiating. Burial will be held at 11 am Friday, January 6th in Oakhill Cemetery East located at 2900 Crill Ave in Palatka with Pastor Clarence Blalock officiating.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or a memorial donation may be made to The Shriners Children's Hospital in memory of Shirley.