Shirley Ann Lawing

Shirley Ann "Nana" Lawing, 90, of Charlotte, NC, went home to her Lord and Savior on November 19, 2025. She is more alive today with Jesus than she ever was here on earth. Shirley was born on October 2, 1935, in Charlotte, NC. She was the daughter of the late William Birt and Rachel Smith Kirby and loved sharing stories over the years of growing up in a large family. In October of 1955, Shirley went with a friend to a square dance, where she met the man who would become her best friend and the love of her life, Carl Lawing. The two of them married three months later, on January 27, 1956, and soon started a family. Shirley attended Harding High School through her sophomore year, when she had to stop school to work. Yet, ever the learner, she went back to school as a young mother and completed her high school education through a new program offered at CPCC. She received her high school diploma from West Mecklenburg in 1967. Shirley made her home on Little Rock Road a haven not only for her three boys but also for all of their friends, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and anyone who pulled into her driveway. Many hearts hold memories of laughing, playing outside, Sunday suppers, Easter egg hunts, an overflowing living room around a tiny Christmas tree, checking out recent junk-store finds or a plant blooming in the yard, piling onto the swing for pictures, or receiving "one more thing" brought out to the car as Shirley waved from the porch until you reached the stop sign. She would then call you half an hour later to make sure you made it home-and to tell you one more story. Shirley loved a story. Her favorite was the story of how God loved His children and came to rescue them. Whenever she wasn't talking with family, Shirley was talking with Jesus. She kept her Bible close, wanting to know and love Him more and more each day. He was the solid rock on which her hope was built. In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Carl; daughter-in-law, Karen Lawing; five brothers: Boyce, Dan, Richard, Jack, and Bill Kirby; and four sisters: June, Gertie, Frances, and Mildred. Surviving are Shirley's brother, Bert (Margaret); her sons, Carl Jr. (Margie), Scotty, and Steven; her grandchildren, Shaun, Michael (Katie), Lindy (Matt), Brian (Amanda), KC (Krista), and Faith (Levi); and her great-grandchildren, Macie, Liam, Cora, Landon, Morgan, Lennon, and Harrison.
Services for Mrs. Lawing will be private. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Charlotte Rescue Mission or Roof Above. Condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mount Holly is caring for Mrs. Lawing's family.