Mrs. Shirley F. Dent entered into rest on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Mrs. Dent may be viewed on Friday August 21, 2026, from 2:00 from 6:00 pm at the funeral

home. There will be a private burial.

A Mother Remembered

Mrs. Shirley Francis Dent has been known by many names Mrs. Dent, Shirley Dent, Mom, Mama Shirley,

Ma Ma, Grandma, Aunt Shirley, Shirley McKie, Sister Shirley, and Shelly (southern version of Shirley). But

to us, one name rises above them all. It is the name that holds her love, her protection, her sacrifice, and her

strength. It is the name that still brings her closest to our hearts...Mama.

The Mama Who Raised Us

As children, we carry memories of Mama that are simple, honest, and unforgettable. Some make us laugh, some

still make us pause, but together they reveal the strength, discipline, faith, and love that shaped who she was and

who we became. There are so many memories, but these are the ones we're going to honor.

The look that stopped you cold : Mama did not always have to raise her voice to get our attention.

If she caught you misbehaving around guests, family friends, or other adults, all she had to do was

turn those brown eyes toward you and hold that look. It was steady, focused, and sharp enough to

make you straighten up before she ever said a word. We knew exactly what it meant: misbehave now,

and answer for it later. And when the guests were gone, we often heard the words we dreaded most:

"Go get me a switch." Anyone from the South who was born before 1970 knows exactly what a switch

is-a small tree branch used for discipline. And if Mama sent you to get one, you knew not to return

with something too small. The hardest part was not always the whipping itself; it was the long walk

outside, searching for the right branch-nothing too small, nothing too big-while wondering what

kind of mood she would be in when you returned. Plus, seeing Mama's disappointed expression didn't

make things any better. Mama believed in discipline, and she did not have to repeat herself often.

She understood that the world outside our home could be unforgiving, so she expected us to learn

respect, obedience, and self-control while we were still young. We respected Mama deeply, and yes,

at times we were afraid of her too. But that look was effective, because we rarely misbehaved

around company more than once.

When Mama Let Loose: For an older lady, Mama could really dance. She brought back dances from the

1950s and 1960s-the Twist, the Mashed Potato, the Jerk, the Dog, the Funky Chicken, and more. Those

were the rare moments when she laughed freely, let loose, and showed us a joyful side of herself.

She did not play with us often, but when she did, we remembered it. Sometimes she would even get

out there and play baseball with us. Mama was fast, strong, and fearless, and in another life, she

could have been a great athlete. Those moments did not happen every day, but they happened enough

for us to know that beneath all the discipline and hard work, Mama loved us and enjoyed being with

us.

Always finding a way: When Mama was not sharing a rare laugh, dance, or playing games with us, Mams

was working around our house. Mama was up around 5:30 in the morning and did not stop until nearly

10 at night. Cooking, cleaning, gardening, washing clothes, ironing, repairing things around the

house-whatever needed to be done, Mama found a way to do it. Mama was also a wonderful seamstress

who passed down her sewing skills to her daughters. We do not remember seeing her take breaks. She

simply moved from one task to the next, carrying the weight of four children and caring for her

elderly father with minimal financial resources. But Mama did not complain. She took what was in

front of her, figured it out, and kept going. Mama was strong in every way that

mattered-physically, mentally, and in the way she kept pushing forward. Mama's side hustle was

being the neighborhood beautician, which was a real lifesaver during some tough financial times.

She was an amazing beautician-just like everything she did!

Unwavering faith: Mama was a devoted believer in Jesus Christ. Mama made sure we said grace before

meals and our prayers at night. And we went to Sunday school every Sunday. Those early days were

difficult for all of us, but they were especially hard on Mama as she watched her family struggle

to meet basic needs and knew she did not have the means to help as much as she wanted. But as hard

as life was then, Mama never lost her faith in God. She was always praying, and she prayed hard and

loud, particularly late at night. Mama led us to Jesus Christ through the example of her life. We

saw the many daily challenges she faced, yet Mama never lost her faith in Christ. As children, we

believed there had to be something real about the Christ she kept calling on, trusting that one day

He would deliver us all.

Living Her Best Life

Jesus Christ surely carried Mama through those difficult years. And over time, life began to look a

little different for her and for her four children. The struggle did not disappear overnight, but

things began to improve in ways that mattered. Those were the years when more of Mama's gifts

started to shine, and with the love, support, and resources of her children, she began to

experience a better life for herself and the family she had worked so hard to raise.

These are the memories from our young adult years that we are especially thankful for and will

never forget. This was a different season with Mama-a happier season. She was proud to see her

children doing well in life, both spiritually and professionally, and in many ways, we finally

began to see her enjoy more of the life she deserved.

The kitchen was her ministry : Everybody believes their mother can cook-and we're sure yours

could-but in our hearts, Mama was in a class of her own. She could make just about anything taste

good: fried chicken, fried fish, greens, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and so much more.

And like everything else Mama took on, she gave it her all. When guests stopped by, she did not

just welcome them into the house; she made sure they were fed. Looking back, it seems like Mama was

always feeding somebody-family, friends, neighbors, and guests. We hardly remember her sitting down

long enough to enjoy the meal herself. She was too busy serving others, watching people enjoy what

she had prepared, and giving from the heart without expecting anything in return. That was Mama. In

the kitchen, she was not just a good cook; she was a master. But two of her specialties deserve

special mention:

Best sweet potato pies in the world : No one could ever get enough of Mama's sweet potato pies. They

had that beautiful golden-brown glaze on top, and the taste was something you did not forget. And

no, Mama did not use milk or eggs-the recipe was Mama's secret. Mama made pies for family, friends,

and guests, and it gave her real joy when someone asked for one. Mama would spend hours in a hot

kitchen, working over those pies until they came out just right. Mama had a gift, and she shared

all the wonderful things that came with it. Every compliment seemed to lift her spirit, especially

when someone told her what we already knew: Mama's sweet potato pies were the best in the world.

Her hands still remembered: Like her sweet potato pies, Mama's biscuits were unforgettable.

Biscuits and grits were a breakfast staple in our home while growing up, and nobody made them quite

like she did. About 18 months ago, while Mama was visiting in Atlanta, we asked if she still

remembered how to make biscuits. She simply said, "Sure." Even though she was dealing with

short-term memory loss and had not made them in nearly 15 years, she walked into the kitchen and

went straight to work. We watched as her hands remembered what her mind might have struggled to

explain-the ingredients, the steps, the mixing, the rolling of the dough, and the feel of when

everything was just right. Those biscuits were amazing! We think she even surprised herself. There

she was, 88 years old, making biscuits by hand for the first time in two decades-and giving us a

memory we will never forget.

"Have you prayed about it?" : Whenever we came to Mama for advice or comfort, her first and favorite

question was always, "Have you prayed about it?" She truly believed that answers could be found in

prayer-that if you asked God, trusted Him, and believed in Him, He would make a way. And it was

hard to question her faith, because we had watched God carry her through a long and difficult

journey. Mama was not performing. She believed it, lived it, and leaned on it. If you were having

trouble at work, she would ask, "Have you prayed about it?" If you were struggling in your

marriage, she would ask, "Have you prayed about it?" If you could not decide which house to buy,

she would ask, "Have you prayed about it?" That was Mama's way of reminding us that God is in

control-that He opens doors, and through God, there is always a way forward.

'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will

be opened."

Matthew 7:7-8 I NIV

"We'll take both" : Mama loved shoes-she was a true shoe enthusiast, with all kinds of shapes,

colors, and styles. Her favorite style was stilettos, and even in her eighties, she still enjoyed

wearing four-inch heels. Yes, stilettos!

Every time we came home to visit, Mama wanted to go shopping for more shoes. At one point, she

owned more than S0 pairs. When Mama relocated to Houston to live with my sister, she could only

take about 10 pairs with her, so the rest were donated to the Salvation Army. Mama also loved hats.

Like her shoes, they came in many styles, shapes, and colors, and she had a hat for almost every

occasion. Mama owned at least 20 hats, and when she moved to Houston, most of them were donated as

well. We loved watching Mama buy the shoes and hats she wanted, because for so many years, she

rarely bought anything new for herself. Her selfless nature always placed her family first. When

she finally had the chance to choose something just for her, we enjoyed every minute of it-even

when it took a while. She would go back and forth, trying to decide which pair to buy, and the

conversation almost always ended the same way: "We'll take both."

From Farm to Table: Mama loved to garden. Even after her children had grown and moved on with their

lives, she was still an early riser, often up around S:30 in the morning and working late into the

evening, coming inside around 7:00. With no children left in the house, Mama filled her days the

way she always had-by working with her hands. Mama's garden was large and full, with tomatoes,

corn, collards, cabbage, okra, green beans, black-eyed peas, potatoes, and more. Mama was

farm-to-table before farm-to-table ever became a popular idea. She loved the soil, loved the work,

and spent whole summer days planting, tending, and harvesting. In the winter, she would cut down

small trees and clear high grass to make the garden even bigger. It was a never-ending process, but

it was one she truly enjoyed. Just like she mastered the art of cooking, Mama mastered the art of

gardening. There was almost nothing she could not grow. As with her cooking, Mama was happy to

share the bounty from her garden with friends and family.

Surrounded by Love

Early in 2016, we noticed Mama was having memory problems. Mama was forgetting to take her

medication, which quickly became a serious concern. We also saw a change in her energy. This was a

woman who had always been active, always working, and always moving, but now something was

different. The doctor diagnosed her wit short-term memory loss and eventually recommended that she

not be left home alone. Marilyn volunteered to bring Mama to Houston to live with her. Mama

remained in Marilyn's care for 10 years. Although we all supported Marilyn with resources, she

carried the daily responsibility of caring for Mama, and she did an outstanding job. Mama could be

a handful at times, but Marilyn stayed faithful through every challenge. As a family, we agreed

that we would never place Mama in a nursing home, and because of Marilyn's dedication, we were able

to keep that promise. Marilyn provided Mama with excellent care, patience, and love when Mama

needed it most. While in Houston, Mama traveled across Texas and Oklahoma and visited New York and

New Jersey. Mama had some of her happiest years in Houston with Marilyn and her family. Marilyn

would sometimes treat Mama to dinner and dancing. And guess what? Mama was still dancing in her

eighties!

'Mama had some of her happiest years in Houston with Marilyn."

On Tuesday morning, August 11, 2026, around 2:15 a.m. CST, our beautiful Mama-the woman who still

loved her four-inch stilettos-passed into the hands of Jesus Christ. Mama, born February 15, 1936,

in Clarks Hill, South Carolina, was the fifth of ten children of Charlie and Rose McKie. Mama was

preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Walker Burton Dent; her five siblings - Willie McKie Sr.,

Reathy Sutton, Ella Mae Thomas, Sarah McKie, and Lewis McKie; and two sisters-in-law - Barbara

Charles and Frances Lee.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art

with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with

oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house

of the LORD for ever.

Mama's Legacy Lives On

Mama leaves a beautiful legacy of strength, love, and unwavering faith through the family she

cherished.

Her Children

Henry (Yvette) Golphin, Hephzibah, GA;  Marilyn (Wendell) Dent-Allen,  Houston, TX ; Edith (Timothy)

Dent-Adams,  Greenwood, SC and Allen (Debra) Dent ,  Alpharetta, GA

Her Siblings

Rosetta Twiggs,  Brooklyn, NY;  Charlie (Carolyn) McKie , Dover, DE;  Charlotte Thomas,  Long Island,

NY; and Florine McKie,  Brooklyn, NY

Mama's legacy also continues through 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one

great-great-grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mama's Legacy

Mama's legacy is rooted in the values by which she lived: faith, discipline, selflessness, hard

work, and an unmistakable joy for life. Those qualities did not end with her. They live on in her

children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild.

The sacrifices Mama made and the lessons she taught have been passed from one generation to the

next. We see pieces of her in ourselves-in our faith, our strength, our work ethic, the way we care

for our families, and, every now and then, in the way we dance.

As one generation gives way to another, it is now our responsibility to carry those values forward

and pass them on to those who come after us. Mama's life was not simply a life well lived; it was a

foundation upon which generations have been built.

Her work is done. Her legacy is not.

Williams Funeral Home, 1765 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Augusta, GA