Shirley Patterson Miller was born on January 26, 1945 and left to be with the Lord and her loved ones on November 19, 2023.  Pierce and Sarah Patterson gave birth to Pettie Lee Patterson (moved to Harlem, New York), Lester Patterson (Winston-Salem, NC), Shirley Ann Patterson (Winston-Salem, NC), and their baby sister Ruth Patterson, who unfortunately died at the age of 2.  Shirley was preceded in death by her second husband, Robert Miller.

Shirley is survived by her sons, Almaurice Jerry Smith (Tracy) and Alexander Dwaynenard Miller both of Winston-Salem, NC; her granddaughter/daughter, Kendra Washington Davis of Winston-Salem, NC; several grandchildren starting with the eldest granddaughter who always stayed by her side-Kendra, Aaliyah Smith of Virginia, McKenzie Miller, Khia Miller, and Jeremy Smith all of Winston-Salem, NC, and Adam Smith of Virginia; 4 great-grandsons, Ja'Lyn, Cayden, Bryson, and Peyton; 1 great-great-granddaughter, Kai'Lynn.; several nieces; and many, many cousins whom she loved and adored very much.  Shirley and her in-laws always stayed close with her driving to Salisbury quite often to visit all the family there.

Shirley graduated from Winston-Salem State University where she studied music.  She was privileged to travel to Europe and do what she loved best, singing.  Shirley had an amazing voice and loved playing the piano, which she did for well over 60 years.  Shirley played the organ and piano for her church and was an active member in which she continued to play until she couldn't anymore.  Even then, she would continue to play her piano at home.  Shirley also would leave her church and go play for several other different churches throughout Winston, but always made sure her church came first.   Shirley was a schoolteacher here in Winston-Salem, NC which she also loved doing. She would always correct those who used incorrect tenses or certain words even when doing so in a playful manner.

Shirley loved to travel. She would get up Saturday mornings and say, "Come on we, going down home, let's ride to the beach or wherever", just because that was her and what she loved to do. When Shirley wasn't traveling, she was heavily involved in her sororities: Eastern Stars and Iota Phi Lambda, which she stayed active until her illness didn't allow her anymore.

Shirley lived an amazing life and did all the things that she loved to do.   She got to live and see her great-grandson's play all their different sports, fuss and yell at them about cleaning up behind themselves, care and nurture all her grands, great-grands, and even her great great-granddaughter.  She was an amazing person that loved family, travel, teaching, and just living life. We all will forever miss her but know that she is watching over all of us.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Goler Memorial AME Zion Church with Reverend George Banks officiating.  Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 10:00am until 11:00am on Saturday at the Church.