Shirley Tubbs Blackerby

Shirley Tubbs Blackerby, 81, a resident of Daphne, Alabama, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Shirley was born and raised in Heiberger, Alabama. As a young woman, she was a youth group leader for Bethlehem Methodist church in Heiberger. She graduated from Perry County High School as the class valedictorian in 1962. She graduated from Judson College in Marion, Alabama, and then received her Master’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama. After receiving her Master’s, she worked in different capacities: as a social worker in an orphanage in Selma, Alabama; with psychiatric patients at Bryce Hospital; and eventually as the Director of Human Resources in Perry County.

After reconnecting with her high school sweetheart, Newt Blackerby, at their 25th high school reunion in 1987, the couple married in 1988. They moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where they lived for many years. While in Montgomery, Shirley was Assistant Director of Family and Children's Services at the Alabama Department of Human Resources. According to former co-workers, Shirley was universally admired and respected by staff in both Marion and Montgomery. She was known for her strong work ethic, and for being a champion and advocate for children and families in need.

After Shirley’s retirement, Newt and Shirley moved to Daphne, Alabama, in 1999. They were longtime members of Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church. Shirley was a kind, servant-hearted southern lady who loved people with a gentle strength. She had a profound impact on the lives of everyone who knew her. Shirley continued to serve her church and community in many ways in her retirement. In her spare time, she enjoyed going to antique and thrift stores, serving family members and friends, doing puzzles, going on walks, and cooking amazing meals.

Preceding Shirley in death are her mother and father, Spurgeon W Tubbs and Susie Jane Tubbs; her brother Clyde Tubbs and her sister-in-law Barbara Tubbs; her sister-in-law Mary Ann Shelton Tubbs; her sister Annie Doris Whitehouse; and her brother-in-law Sam Stevens.

She is survived by her sister Ada Agnes Tubbs Stevens; her husband Newton Blackerby; her nephew and his wife Sammy and Teresa Stevens; her niece and her husband Susan and Greg Horton; her great niece Whitlee Blount and her husband Johnathan Blount, and their two children Harrison and Ada; her great nephew Sam Horton and his wife Anna Horton; her stepdaughter Cathy Blackerby Mathews and her husband Scott Mathews, and their children Ansley Mathews Olsson (and her husband Nick Olsson) and Griffin Mathews; her stepdaughter Christine Blackerby Pack and her husband Jim Pack, and their sons Parker Pack and Preston Pack; and many other loving relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church in Fairhope, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 11:00am. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Interment will follow the church service at Memory Gardens of Fairhope.

To honor Shirley’s memory, you may give flowers if you wish, or make a donation in lieu of flowers to either the charity of your choice or the missions ministry at Shirley’s church, Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church.

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