Shirley Erwin

Our beloved, Shirley Renee' Erwin, was born on December 16, 1956, to Bessie Rogers and the late Charles Watson, in Baltimore, Maryland. she went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 25, 2015, with her children by her side. On that day, she was greeted at heaven's gates by her loving and nurturing maternal grandparents, Leroy and Laura Rogers, her cousin, Alisa Toles (Lee-Lee), her aunt, Barbara Rogers (Bobbie), her nephew, Lamonte Sherman, and several other family members. Shirley was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System. With the help of her grandparents, Papa and Ninnie, she became spiritually grounded at Cornerstone Baptist Church. As a young adult, she worked for Brown's Supermarket and South Baltimore General Hospital, in Baltimore. In 1979, she married Arthur Erwin, and from this union, four children were born. Shirley learned early on that a sound education was the key to transcending to greater heights. With her children in mind, she relentlessly began her pursuit. In 1986, Shirley earned her Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from the former Community College of Baltimore. From there, she realized her gift and passion, and moved on to Coppin State College (now University), earning her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education 1-6 & Middle School & Psychology in 1991. While at Coppin, she was honored as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar for demonstrating strong academic potential; consistently made the Dean's List; received departmental honors in Elementary Education; appeared in several editions of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges; was recognized by the National Alumni Association of Coppin State College for outstanding character, leadership, and discipline; and was voted into the office of Senior Class President by her peers, who expressed their gratitude through an award for service and support. She further expanded her education by returning to Coppin State University and obtained, with high honors, her Master of Science degree in Adult and Continuing Education, Administration, and Supervision in 2004. Coppin's Graduate Division recognized Shirley for outstanding and dedicated community service. She returned to school, yet again, and was only four classes away from receiving her Doctorate in Educational Psychology with certification in School Leadership, in proud anticipation of becoming Dr. Erwin. In 1991, Shirley was graced with a career that was her calling rather than a chore; she was charged with raising well-rounded, intelligent human beings. She proudly accepted the awesome responsibility of being a significant fixture in the lives of many children. Shirley's 22 years of teaching included her shaping minds at almost every level. Her professional experiences have been with Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, Community College of Baltimore County, and Harford Community College. She was most fulfilled when she served misunderstood and misguided youth. She was more than a teacher. She fed, clothed, mentored, encouraged, counseled, and above all, prepared her students for life. While she carried a genuine love for all of her students, her greatest impact was made during her time at Pimlico Middle. Shirley retired in December 2013, and her purpose was absolutely fulfilled. She will forever be remembered for her unmatched prowess as an Educator. While in retirement, she began branding Erwin Enterprise & Company". In the early stages of its development, she managed her sons' entrepreneurial endeavors at Anago Cleaning Services (Darell) and Core Elite Fitness (Donte'), and was instrumental in showcasing "The Phoenyx Experience" for one of her adopted daughters, Gennifer Robinson. Shirley had a knack for writing, speaking, planning, decorating, dressing to a tee with her expensive taste, hosting the best cookouts, pulling things off without a hitch, and was simply a maestro for making it all happen. You could always count on her to be on the dance floor as the life of the party with her daughters. she loved culture and attended as many plays and musical performances as possible. She never asked for a single thing in return; it was truly her nature and her desire to please others. In 2008, Shirley met James Smith, and two immediately connected. They spent more than seven years together, and enjoyed trying out various restaurants and taking frequent trips to Atlantic City. He remained by her side until the very end. As a mother of four, Shirley made it her priority to pour her heart into the daringly defiant turned dangerously debonair Darrell, timid youth turned tenacious Tanesha, boldly expressive turned unsurpassingly elegant Ebony, and her youngest dedicated duckling Donte'. Shirley loved her children and grandchildren very much, and considered them to be God's masterpieces. She raised them to be academically inclined, socially connected, caring, giving, honest, determined, loyal, and family oriented. Shirley leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy; her mother, Bessie; four children, Darell (LaKesha), Tanesha (Patrick), Ebony (Mark), and Donte' (Lauren); six grandchildren, Shalyse, Brianna, Adrielle, Kahron, Keira, and Amirah; one great granddaughter, Emery; one brother, Larry; two nieces, Shavonda and Kiev; one nephew, Yusef; two aunts, Ginger and Ann; three uncles, Daniel (Mary), Leroy, Jr. (Patricia), and Gerald (Rosalind); two cousins who were more like sisters, Angela and Lawanda; three great-nephews and one great-niece; a loving and devoted companion, James; two dear friends, Linda McCurnin and Barbara Williams; and a host of cousins, adopted children, friends, and students.

Tributes

Shirley Erwin

December 16, 1956 - May 25, 2015