Shirley May Newman

Shirley May Wheeler entered eternal life on May 29, 2024. Shirley was born on April 27, 1940 to the late John A. Wheeler and Mary G. Anthony Wheeler. Shirley was the youngest and last of twenty siblings. She grew up in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland and attended Kennard High School. There she met and later married James Newman and from this union they had four children, Ethel (Pam), Phyllis, Shelby and James (Jimmy). They were married for sixteen years before they made the decision to go their separate ways. However, they remained friends and spoke daily until James’ untimely passing. Shirley was a homemaker until her children were old enough to attend school. She then entered the workforce with various jobs, including becoming a meat wrapper with Shoppers Food, from where she retired with over thirty (30) years of service. Shirley liked taking road trips, traveling to Florida, Arizona, Texas and the Carolinas. She loved her Children, Grandchildren and her GG’s as she would call them. Mom-Mom and Granny, as she was affectionately called, was the fun Grandmother always ready for a good time whether it was playing cards, telling her childhood stories, chasing or being chased around, dancing or trying to protect them from getting into trouble. That didn’t come without her giving them good advice and guidance. Shirley Loved “FAMILY” she had a bond with all of her Nieces and Nephews. She communicated with them daily and would say, “I just talked to my Betty-Boo.” Aunt Shirley was the Matriarch of the Family and she wore the title proudly. Shirley was raised up in Church and attended Bethel AME Church at a young age. She stayed anchored in the Lord and later joined New Dawn Baptist Church. Shirley lived in Rollingcrest where she was surrounded by a family-like Community where they looked out for one another. Phyllis Carroll, Myrtle Thomas and Shirley were like the “Three Misskateers” and their motto was “one for all and all for one.” Shirley was always lending a helping hand, taking you to the store or wherever you needed to go and volunteering at the Community Center. Shirley had long time friends who became family, Blonnie Nichols and Mabel Keys, who never lost touch with each other. Shirley was known for her witty sayings: “You can cloud up, but don’t make it rain”; “It’s your little red wagon; you can push it or pull it” (in other words it’s your choice). We use to joke with her that she could write a book with some of her sayings, and she should have followed through with it. Shirley leaves to cherish her memories: her children, Pam Newman, Phyllis Contee (Tony) and James Newman (Erica); special son and daughter, Pete and Tracy Smith; nine grandchildren, Shadona (Nate), Latisha, Andrew, Mya, Jasmine (Johnathan), Jamel, Anthony, Lauryn and Jay; nine great-grandchildren, Brandon, Taliyah, Janiya, Trey, Jacion, Teagan, Lark , Sa’Meir, and Shania, a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Shirley was preceded in death by: her parents, John and Mary Wheeler; daughter, Shelby Newman; grandson, Jeffrey Seldon; brothers and sisters, William, Raymond, Sylvester, Thomas, Fletcher, Elmer, Edward, Norman, Joseph, Charlie, Alston, Fannie, Eleanor, Helen, Pearl, Kathleen, Louise, Lena and Sadie.

Shirley May Newman

April 27, 1940 - May 29, 2024