Shirley Ann Dillard

Shirley Maddox Dillard passed peacefully to her heavenly home early on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Shirley was born to Guy and Margaret Carithers Maddox in Spartanburg, South Carolina on August 20, 1946. Shirley and her mother moved to Madison County, Georgia when she was an early teen. She grew up on the farm of Odanus and Alma Parham at Gholston Stand (now Paoli Junction) and met her life mate, Larry Dillard at Madison County High School. They dated from age 15, married in 1964 and lived and loved for 62 years. 

They have a son, Jeff Dillard (Michelle), a daughter, Teresa Dillard Parker (Lee), and a “daughter by another mother,” Candy English Alexander who came into their life at age 14 and is still a family member today (50 years later). God blessed them with four grandchildren, Justin Byrd (Lindsey), Brea Byrd, Jordan Alexander, and Daniel Alexander (Hope); and six great grand children, Lola Byrd, Charlee Ann Byrd, and Truman, Bennet, Wendell, and Coralia Alexander.

Shirley was a Master Cosmetologist for fifty-seven years and spread great good will as she worked. She became a member of the Crescent Lane Rug Guild and enjoyed twenty-five years of wonderful fellowship locally, and traveling to workshops as far away as Ohio and California. Some of her creations will be on view at her Memorial Service. Everywhere she went she loved and was loved by all who knew her. Shirley confessed her faith in Christ as a preteen in Spartanburg, recommitted herself to Him at Memorial Baptist Church, Watkinsville in the early 1980s, and was a member of Moon’s Grove Baptist Church for the past thirty-three years. A memorial service will be held at Moon’s Grove on June 20, 2026 with visitation from 11:30 a.m. and service at 1:00 p.m.

The family requests that donations in memory of Shirley be made to the Gideons International, PO Box 238, Hull, Georgia, 30646. 

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Danielsville, is entrusted with arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com.