Sharon Stanley Shirah

Sharon Stanley Shirah, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and devoted French teacher passed away on August 3rd.

Born on April 3, 1950 in New Orleans, LA, Sharon dedicated her life to education and the pursuit of knowledge. She inspired countless students with her passion for the French language and culture, encouraging them to explore the world beyond their own. Her love for teaching extended beyond the classroom; she was a mentor and a warm soul to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, where she was named homecoming queen in 1967. She went on to attend LSU and graduate with two degrees, one in French and one in Education. She met her beloved husband, James W. Shirah, during her time in Baton Rouge. They would go on to marry in February of 1975.

She pursued her passion of education and taught in Fulton County in Georgia for more than 25 years. As a French teacher, she was instrumental in leading the French department and many student exchange trips to Metz, France. She went on to become the World Language Department Chair at Chattahoochee High School, where she touched countless students’ lives, both domestically and abroad. She was also named Fulton County Teacher of the Year in 2006.

A devout Christian, Sharon lived her life with grace, kindness, and unwavering faith. She found joy in her church community at Mount Pisgah and Byromville Methodist Church, where she was known for her warm smile and compassionate spirit. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, guiding her actions and inspiring those around her. To know Sharon was to know how strong her faith was. From 1987-2012, she attended Mount Pisgah, where she both taught Sunday school and sang in the choir.

She is preceded in heaven by her parents, Ruth Mason and William Ezra Stanley, her sister, Betty Stanley Holbert, and her husband, James Walton Shirah.

Sharon is survived by her loving children, Sherry Shirah and Tiffany Shirah Farr, and her cherished grandchildren, Maddie and Mary Farr, as well as her sister, Peggy Stanley. She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and dedication that will forever be remembered by family, friends, and students alike.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held Sunday, September 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church in Peachtree Corners, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mattie H. Marshall Activity Fund or Phoebe Sumter Hospice care reflecting Sharon's commitment to helping others.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com 

Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mrs. Sharon Shirah.