Shirley Mae Guin ascended to heaven to be with Jesus Christ on April 25, 2026, at the youthful age of 90.

Shirley was born to Louis and Margaret Metzner on Christmas Day in 1935 in Bristol, Wisconsin. Shirley was the proud mother of a wonderful, blended family of ten children. Her immense capacity to love only multiplied with each generation.

She was given the heartfelt name “Grams” by her closest granddaughter, Natasha Linley Patterson, with whom she shared a uniquely close and deeply special relationship—a title she wore like a badge of honor as she became the beloved matriarch to a vast legacy of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At the young age of 78, she proudly mastered Facebook, using technology to stay connected and marvel at pictures of all the kids growing up. Her unwavering faith in Jesus was the foundation of her life, and she passed that legacy of love and devotion down to her enormous family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, LeRoy Guin, who passed away in June 2014; her cherished son, Eddie LaFave; and her adored grandson, Jeff Bird. After being widowed, she deeply missed LeRoy every day, and her family finds great comfort in knowing they are all beautifully reunited in heaven.

She is survived by nine wonderfully blended surviving children, twenty-five grandchildren, fifty great grandbabies, and five great, great grandchildren.

A small memorial service will be held on September 25, 2026, at Bowen Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. in Winfield, Alabama. Immediately following the service, Shirley will be laid to rest next to her husband at White Springs United Methodist Church.