" And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

Shirley Yvonne Mumford Watkins went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at the age of 62.  She departed this life peacefully at her home after an extended period of illness.

She was born May 5, 1955 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to the late Willie James and Edna Lee Mumford.  She graduated from West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, North Carolina.  She worked for Kate B. Reynolds Hospital as a medical records clerk.  She then went to work at AT&T where she worked for many years before retiring.  Shirley was a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church where she faithfully attended until she became ill. Her pastor was Reverend Kenneth Lilly.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Willie James and Edna Lee Mumford; and her grandparents, Edna Taylor and Robert Lee Cowan and Dossie and Annie Mumford.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband of twenty-six years, Charles Watkins of the home; five sisters, Patricia Mumford, Willie Kay Hawkins, Sandra Carter, Irene Weaks, and Amanda (James) Bowman all of the city; one stepson, Michael Watkins of Orlando, Florida; one brother-in-law, Steve Watkins of Kernersville, North Carolina; one sister-in-law, Betty Watkins of Walkertown, North Carolina; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Saturday, January 13, 2018 at New Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Samuel J. Cornelius officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12:00noon on Saturday at the Church.