Shirley Katherine Carpenter Whittle of Nashville, Tennessee

January 30, 1937 - October 10, 2020

Shirley Whittle, 83, passed away unexpectedly on October 10, 2020 at her home in Nashville, Tennessee.

She was born Shirley Katherine Ellis on January 30, 1937 in Nashville to Van and Onna Mae Ellis.  She was the youngest of three children.  After completing Cohn High School, she was blessed with three children of her own –Shirley Dawn, Dent Van, and Todd Carpenter.

Shirley spent her career at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, most recently as the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Neonatal Unit.  She treasured the babies of the neonatal nursery.  She held the doctors she worked with in high esteem. Shirley was a strong, independent woman with a happy disposition and a great sense of fun.  Outside of work she loved traveling, spending time with her friends, and playing games.

On January 23, 2016, she and Charles Whittle were married.  Together they continued traveling to destinations both foreign and domestic.  They worshipped together at Hillsboro Church of Christ in Nashville.  They were the light in each other’s lives.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Charles Whittle; her son, Dent Van Carpenter of White House, Tennessee;  4 grandchildren; 4  great-grandchildren;  and nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Van and Onna Mae Ellis; her siblings, Elizabeth Sheals and Johnnie Mae Tomes; her daughter, Shirley Dawn  Whitley; and her son, Todd Carpenter.

A memorial service is planned for Friday October 16, at 1:00 PM in the auditorium of The Hillsboro Church of Christ.  Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashville.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Shirley’s honor be sent to to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Neonatal Unit.