Shirley Fay Vitatoe

Shirley Faye Vitatoe, age 86, passed away on February 2, 2026, at her home.

Shirley was born March 4, 1939, in Crab Orchard, Tennessee to the late Harley and Ruby (Turner) Vitatoe.

She was a member of the Crab Orchard Church of God. Attending church was one of Shirley’s favorite things. She loved to sing and clap along to the church hymns. Her joy and love for the Lord was pure and evident anytime you were around her. She also loved church dinners and any other opportunity to fellowship with her friends and family. Shirley was always ready for someone to talk to her and “hug her neck.”

Shirley was truly a very special lady and loved by all who knew her. She always enjoyed a good joke, and her laugh was truly infectious. Shirley eagerly looked forward to celebrating her birthday each year with family, friends, and a beautiful cake (which she did not want to share). She enjoyed spending time with her niece Sandy when she visited from Arkansas, and hanging out with her great niece, Eleanor, great nephew, Evan and their little dog, Coco.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by Sister Erma Jean Vitatoe, Brother Willard Stanton Vitatoe, and Brother-in-Law Joel Richard Godsey.

She is survived by her Sister Linda Sue Godsey of Crossville, Niece Sandra Gail Downs (Keith) of Scranton, Arkansas, Niece Kristy Godsey Brown (Andy) of Brentwood, Great Niece Eleanor Brown of Brentwood, Great Nephew Evan Brown of Brentwood, Sister-in-Law Sue Vitatoe of Crossville and a host of other extended family members and friends.

Shirley, and her sweet smile, will be greatly missed.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Bilbrey Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Haleys Grove Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM prior to the service.