Shirley Ann (Coultas) Motley, 86, saw her Savior face to face on August 27, 2024, after a brief illness. Shirley was born September 8, 1937, in Barry, IL to H. Glenn Coultas and Georgia Ann (Smith) Coultas.
She was a 1955 graduate of Barry High School and married John Roy Motley that same year. They raised three sons: Gregg Motley (Kim), Fort Scott, KS, Tim Motley, Seattle, WA, and Chris Motley, Kansas City, MO. After beginning their marriage in Barry, IL, the family moved to Tonawanda, NY, Quincy, IL, Lee’s Summit, MO, and Raytown, MO.
After her three sons were school age, Shirley worked as an office manager and bookkeeper for a newspaper, car dealers, medical practices and her son, Tim’s salon. She was an avid newspaper reader and loved to keep up with current events, the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas Jayhawks and devotedly followed politics. She loved to bowl, knit, quilt, sew and bake.
Shirley was a devoted Christian and faithfully attended church her whole adult life. She loved old hymns, radio/TV preachers, and reading her Bible. She donated much of her income to her favorite charities, including many for the benefit of the Holy Land. Her faith informed her attitude toward family as she readily welcomed numerous foster children and adopted grandchildren into the family as if they were her own.
Shirley had a sharp mind, quick wit, and a razor tongue, often used to entertain her friends and loved ones. Shirley was feisty and did not tolerate injustice or behavior she considered inappropriate.
In 2018, she moved to Fort Scott, KS, to live near her oldest son, Gregg and his wife, Kim. Her final residence was Guest Home Estates where she received loving care during her final four months of life.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers Glenn Gail Coultas and Dean Coultas, a daughter-in-law, Betty Rose Motley (Gregg), a grandson, Brian Motley and great-grandchildren, Nes Burton and Charleigh Burton.
She is survived by a brother, William Coultas (Diana), Industry, IL, three sons and a daughter-in-law, her eight grandchildren: Allison (Andy), Paige (Keith), Katie, Ben (Rachel), Kaylie (Pedro), Jesse, Khloe (Levi), and Max, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation and a memorial service will be held on Grandparents’ Day and her birthday, September 8, 2024, at the Cheney Witt Chapel,
Fort Scott, KS. Visitation will begin at 1:00PM, followed by the service at 2:00PM.
Cremation. Memorials are suggested to Faith Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.