Shirley Gordon was born in Patterson, New Jersey on January 25, 1935, to the parents Carrina Windell Ward and William Ward. Shirley was the second oldest of seven children. The one surviving sibling is Brenzina Ward-Mosley. Deceased siblings are William (Billy) Ward,    Alice Davis, John Arthur (Sonny) Ward, Juanita Florence, and Nancy Ward.

Shirley gave birth to sixteen children. She is survived by Andrew Ward, Debora Ward, Andrietta Ward, Henrietta Conley, Jeffreda   Gordon, Jeffrey Gordon, Ifeoma Gordon-Gibson, Iylas Gordon, Ezell Gordon, Zarren Gordon, Angelo Gordon, Malissa William, Shirley Gordon-Streeter, Latisha Noyan, and Tahara Gordon. She is also survived by a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Shirley is preceded in death by her late husband Jeffrey Gordon and her son Daniel Gordon.

Shirley retired as a Medical Technician at Cordis Dow Medical Facility where her ease and skillfulness in performing her work was rewarded with many bonuses. She was also known on the job for her willingness to help others. She loved to dance and her favorite dance was the "Hucklebuck."  She loved to laugh, and will be remembered for her good natured practical jokes that she would play on her then small children to their delight.  She loved to cook and bake and to share with others.

Shirley was beloved by her congregation. Anybody who picked up her personal copy of the Bible would discover several times within its  pages she wrote "I LOVE THIS BOOK" and she would often go to bed with it beside her. Her favorite scripture was Isaiah 41:10 and 13 which says: Do not be afraid, for I am with you.  Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you…For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand.  She told family that the words of this scripture are what sustained her and helped her get through difficult times when she was afraid. She used this scripture to comfort others.

Although very shy by nature she shared in public witnessing to others when her health allowed. Shirley dedicated her life to Jehovah by water baptism as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on June 21, 2003.  She wanted her children and others to get to know Jehovah and Jesus Christ. She knew this was the only way one could gain Everlasting Life.