Shirley Temple Aldridge

Shirley Temple Aldridge, 85, of Blytheville, departed from this life March 30, 2024, at Great River Medical Center. She was born May 17, 1938, in Dell to the late Freeman Hall and Bessie Beatrice Edwards.

Shirley retired from Blytheville Compress where she worked in the cotton gin warehouse. She was an active member of New MT Olive M.B. Church in Blytheville, where she devoted her time as an usher and was a member of the Mother Board and the church choir.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Freeman and Bessie Beatrice Hall; her husband, Nathaniel Aldridge Sr.; and five children, Ruby Aldridge-Sims, Shirley Bedford, Bessie Aldridge, Nathaniel Aldridge Jr., and Christopher Aldridge Sr., as well as eight siblings.

Shirley leaves to cherish her memory to her five sons, Johnny (Marilyn) Aldridge of Sikeston, Mo., Ronny (Jennifer) Aldridge, Jimmy Aldridge, Timothy Aldridge, all of Blytheville, and Sylvester (Von) Aldridge of Paragould; seven daughters, Kathy Hayes of Blytheville, Barbara (Roy) Aldridge-Hogan of Milwaukee, Wis., Beatrice Reed of Blytheville, Ruby Mathews of Colorado Springs, Colo., Rosie Aldridge of Milwaukee, Wis., Theresa Aldridge, and Charlott Aldridge, both of Blytheville; one sister, Ida Mae Harris; two brothers, Albert (Ethell) Hall and Willie James (Clara) Hall, all of Blytheville; 69 grandchildren, 140 great-grandchildren, 65 great-great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including her special nephew, Collins (Ruth) Harris.

Services will be held at New MT Olive M.B. Church in Blytheville with the visitation Saturday, April 13, from 12-2 p.m. and the funeral to follow at 2 p.m. Burial will be at the Sandy Ridge Cemetery in Burdette with pastor Douglas Echols officiating.

Wilson Funeral Home in Blytheville will be in charge of the arrangements.