Shirley Jane Mann King

WEST ALBANY – Shirley Jane Mann King, 92, on December 24, 2015, went home to be with the Lord, joining her loving husband of 61 years, Robert E. King; her parents Charles H. Mann and Reva M. Wilson Mann and brother James W. Mann.

Shirley is survived by her children: James (Kieran), Barbara Witt (Gary), Robert (late Rae Ann), Donald (Janine) and Mark (Diana). Shirley is also survived by beloved grandchildren: Jennifer, Davia, Christopher (Kyle), Matthew (Cassandra), Jared (Sarah), Adrienne, Ryan (Lauren), Joshua, Valerie, David and Amanda; great grandchildren: Falynn (Kevin), Collin, Nathan, Jordan, Selah, Kailyn, Amelia, Julian, Everett and Christian; great-great grandchildren Raechel and Evelyn and special family friend Patricia Herrmann.

Born in 1923 in Norfolk, NE; Shirley was raised in a loving family. While growing up she lived in Missouri, Iowa and Wyoming. In 1941, Shirley graduated from high school in Creston, IA. Her family moved to Wyoming where she enrolled in nursing school at Wyoming General Hospital in Rock Springs. Graduating in 1944, Shirley started a career as a registered nurse in Cheyenne, WY. Her civilian nursing career was placed on hold to join the Army Nurse Corps during WWII. Commissioned a 2nd Lt. in 1945, Shirley served at the Tripler General Hospital in Honolulu, HI and the 29th General Hospital in Okinawa, Japan and Seoul, Korea. Achieving the grade of 1st Lt., Shirley was honorably discharged in 1946. Shirley proudly enjoyed serving her country and remained in contact with close, Army Nurse Corps friends her whole life.

During nursing school, she cared for a young Army PFC Robert E. King from Albany, NY who fell ill on a troop train passing through Rock Springs. They fell in love, corresponded throughout the war and were married in Cheyenne in 1949. Shirley moved to Albany and started her true life's work – raising and caring for her wonderful family.

A truly giving person, Shirley was counted on to care for all the minor medical emergencies of the neighborhood children. The home her husband built for her was the center of her universe, which she lovingly shared with family, friends and neighbors; including a bible study group she hosted with her husband for over 30 years. She was loved and will be missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Shirley was a member of Pineview Community Church and supported the work of Christ locally and through missionaries in the US and abroad.

A funeral with military honors will be from Pineview Community Church, 251 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12205 on Thursday, Dec. 31st at 11AM. All are welcome to attend. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Church from 10AM to 11AM. Interment will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Colonie immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution to Pineview Community Church would be appreciated.