Clayton GA- Mary "Carolyn" Philyaw Shirley, 89, passed away in Portland on August 24, 2018. She was born to Martin and Merle (McGinn) Philyaw in Raban County, Clayton, Georgia on July 7,1929. Carolyn was educated at Tallulah Falls and Raban Gap Nachoochee schools. She was raised by her grandparents, Lewis and Mary Philyaw along with her younger brother, Donald Philyaw. She was a member and was baptized at Bethel Baptist Church. She had a strong faith and was the loudest singer in the congregation. She married the love of her life, Thomas Jesse Shirley, a war hero receiving the bronze star and Purple Heart (having been wounded twice) along with other metals, in 1946 when he returned from WWII. They made their home in Tiger, Georgia. Daddy always said Mom was the most beautiful woman to walk the streets of Georgia. They had four children, Carroll Shirley Marean & her husband, Clifton of Standish, Gail Shirley Bragg and her husband, Terry of Florida. Thomas S. Shirley and his wife, Viola of Standish, and Donna Shirley Woodbrey who died from Cancer in 1998. The family has never gotten over this heartbreak. Moving to Maine in 1958, Carolyn started work at the Hanold Outfitting Company in Standish, Maine. Her position was a stitcher on the 3rd floor. At her retirement she was the president of the Hanold Company. She had vacation homes in the Villages, Ocala and Fernandina Beach, Florida. After Tom died in 1991 she moved back to her beloved mountains - Screamer Mountain in Clayton, Georgia. There she enjoyed her retirement - loving her birds, her books and her church, writing letters every day to her loved ones. Her 10 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren remember her singing, trips for the entire family to Sugarloaf skiing, trips to Sky Valley in Georgia and her southern cooking. She loved to cook, garden, and read her bible. She was also a big dancer and singer. Carolyn had many charities and loved her little dogs (all named Mitzi). She was a brilliant, loving driving force that was always a role model. She always lived by: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain". We have been so fortunate to have this amazing woman as our Mother and Grandmother. The family extends gratitude to the caregivers of the Barron Center for their attention and loving care of our Mother during her stay there. Those planning on expression of sympathy are asked to consider donating in Carolyn's name to the Alzheimer's Association of Maine 383 US Route One #2C, Scarborough, ME 04074 Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Wednesday August 29, 2018 from 11:00 AM -12:00 PM at the Gorham Chapel of Dolby, Blais & Segee, 75 State St. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 PM. Please visit www.dolbyblaissegee.com to view Carolyn's tribute page and to sign her online guestbook.