Shirley E. Mack

Shirley E. Mack, daughter of the late David Gilliam, Sr. and Margaret (Hill) Gilliam, was born on Sunday, May 11, 1947, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Shirley was educated in Guilford, North Carolina, where she graduated from North West High School. After moving back to Pennsylvania, she dedicated her life to caring for others. She worked faithfully with the Harrisburg School District and later with Playmate Daycare until her retirement. At one point, Shirley even had her home state-approved for more than thirty children, proof of her extraordinary love, patience, and devotion. In her leisure, Shirley loved decorating her home, cooking meals for family, shopping at JC Penney, and taking pottery classes. Simple joys brought her the most peace, such as hanging her freshly washed clothes on the line outside. She was also a proud member of the Whip-O-Wheel Women’s Club and enjoyed the friendships and fellowship she shared there. Shirley loved singing in the church choir, where her voice added warmth and joy to the worship experience. Spiritually, Shirley was a member of Turner Memorial Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Richard Hampton. Her faith shaped her life and the way she poured into others with kindness, encouragement, and love. On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Shirley peacefully transitioned from this life at seventy-eight years of age. In addition to her parents, she joined in eternal rest her beloved husband, George Mack, Jr.; her brothers, David Gilliam, Jr., Garry Gilliam, Michael Gilliam, and Darryl Gilliam; her maternal grandparents, James Hill and Willie Hill; paternal grandparents, Nellie Gilliam and Garfield Gilliam; and her aunt, Arcola Taylor. Shirley’s legacy of love will live on through her daughters, Tisha Mills (Rodney) and Nicole Mack; her Goddaughter, Chanel Wanner; her sisters, Hazel Gilliam (Ronald Jenkins, Sr.), April Gilliam, and Deborah Gilliam (Bishop Edgar Murphy); her brother, Pastor Harold Gilliam (Gloria); her grandchildren, Shayna Gillis, Andre Mack, Shauneece Mack, Cierra Mills, and Taliha Murray; and her great-grandchildren, Kennedi Martin, Jamari Mills-Burnett, Kaiden Mack, and Ayah Burhannan. She will also be deeply missed by her extended family, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends. Shirley’s passion for caring for others and her unwavering love for her family remain gifts that will continue to bless the lives of all who knew her. Her memory will be cherished and honored forever.

Tributes

Shirley E. Mack

May 11, 1947 - September 20, 2025