Shirley Groover's Obituary
Shirley Edith (Smart) Groover, 87, passed away on April 16, 2023. Shirley was surrounded by her loving family and most certainly greeted in heaven by her adoring husband Jim who passed before her. Born August 16, 1935 in Plattsburg, New York to Dean and Edith Smart, Shirley was the oldest of eleven children. She served in the United States Air Force based in Texas where she met the love of her life Lt. Jim Groover. They were married in 1955 and lived in North Carolina, Florida and Oklahoma. They raised five beautiful children. Shirley wore many hats as a wife and mother including den mother, chauffeur, classroom volunteer, PTA member and bowling partner. She was active in church and had a knack for entertaining, throwing many dinner parties for their friends over the years. She & Jim dedicated over 40 years delivering Meals on Wheels in the various communities they lived.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Jim Groover of the home, parents Dean & Edith (Robare) Smart and great-granddaughter Kinslee Jean Ceballos, as well as six brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her children Mike (Barb) Groover, Apopka, FL; Tim (Buster) Groover, Louisville, KY; Kelly (Joe) Pike, Tulsa, OK; Katy (Danny) Snead, Catoosa, OK; and Jim (Stacey) Groover, Chattanooga, TN; 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, her brother Alan (Linda) Smart, Toms River, NJ; and sister Susan (Smart) McIntyre, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local Meals on Wheels chapter.
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