Robert Lavelle Shirley

Funeral services for Robert Shirley, age 58 of Columbia, LA, will be held at 2 PM, Thursday, January 20, 2022, from the chapel of Riser and Son Funeral Home, Columbia with Bro. Chad Franklin officiating. Interment will follow at Welcome Home Cemetery, Grayson. The family will have a visitation at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, from 4 PM until 7 PM.

Robert Lavelle Shirley was born March 27, 1963, in Jackson, MS to the union of his parents, Lavelle Shirley and Florine Wall Shirley, and he passed from this life January 14, 2022, at his home in Columbia. While Robert worked for many years in the oilfield, he was a jack-of-all-trades. He was always there for others and willing to help in any way he could. He was a good friend and was always able to make those around him feel better. He liked to clown around and the fun began when he entered a room. He was a true outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He jokingly referred to himself as "The Great White Hunter." His greatest love was his family. He was always active with his children and in their lives, teaching them along the way. He coached and at one time took his daughter's softball team on to win the State Championship. Once his children were grown and had children of their own, he quickly became the best PawPaw ever, loving his grandchildren with all his heart. He will be forever loved and missed by his family. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Reggie Whatley.

Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of almost 42 years, Abbie Brown Shirley, of Columbia; his daughters: Christen Bordelon (Dewayne) of Sandy Lake, Amanda Breland (Shawn) of Larto, and Crystal Cross (Joshua) of Larto; Son , Curtis Shirley (Vanessa) of Columbia; sister, Debbie Whatley of Sandy Lake; brother-in-law, Jessie Brown; grandchildren: Ashley Bordelon, Leah Bordelon, Katelyn Richmond, Kelsea Richmond, Skylar Richmond, Christopher King, Triston Shirley, Cheyenne Shirley, Kallie Breland, Dalton Breland, Hadley Breland, Macie Cross, Lacie Cross, Payton Cross, and Ryleigh Cross; great-grandchildren: Isiah Vizena, Sebastian Lucas, Alanis Valois, Danny LaPrairie, Mae Mullins, and Eden Mullins.

Serving as pallbearers will be Christopher King, Triston Shirley, Dalton Breland, Sammy Lafferty, John Duncan, and George Duncan. Honorary pallbearers are Chad Whatley, Joe Lafferty, and Jessie Brown.