Shirley Baker Coffey, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, aunt, and cherished friend, passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at home with her children by her side.
Shirley was the devoted wife of Fred “Buddy” Coffey, with whom she shared more than 50 years of marriage until his passing in 2015.
Her greatest earthly joy was her family. She is survived by her children: Dennis (Erin), Neil (Alena), Darla (Dayne), and Lisa. She also adored her grandchildren: Freddie, David, Kevin (Jennifer), Kurt (Mandy), Jason (Emily), Noah (Tia), Kierra (Kyler), Dylan, Cody (Brielle), and Kyle (Alyssa).
Her great-grandchildren brought her even more joy: Blair, Kayden, Reece, Caiden, Jadyn, Malia, and Ezekiel.
She also leaves behind her loving nieces and nephews in Florida: Jeffrey (Karen), Curt (Kathleen), Nancy (Paul), Melanie (Rob), and Janet, and nephew Mark in Virginia, also best friends, to include Peggy Hudson of Portsmouth, Sandra Jordan Bunce of Georgia, and Ann Osborne of Yorktown, high school friend Mary Lou Worrell of Norfolk, and her dear Tennessee best friends, Peggy Monroe, Jacky Ward and his family, and Sherry and John David Sherrill and their daughters, all of Collinwood, TN, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews in Virginia.
Her daughter, Lisa, became her loving and devoted caretaker for her last 4 years, surrounding her mother with tenderness, patience, comfort, and unwavering love. Lisa, with the help of Dennis and a very special caregiver, Velma, remained beside her mother through this difficult journey, giving of herself so that Shirley could remain surrounded by love and dignity.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 19th, at 2:00 p.m. at Asbury Wesleyan Church, 605 Harpersville Rd, Newport News, VA, followed by a dinner visitation with the family at the church.
Burial will be held at a later date at Albert G. Horton Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Suffolk, VA, where she will be laid to rest by her husband, Fred Coffey, U.S. Army, Korean War veteran.
Arrangements by Peninsula Funeral Home, Newport News.