Mr. Shirey was born in Marshall County, AL the son of the late Rev. William Ben and Manolia Ragsdale Shirey.He was a member of the First Baptist Church in fort Payne, AL. he received his masters degree from the University of Alabama in 1939.He received his Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Judson College in 1973.He taught school in the Dekalb County School system from 1931 to 1936, Talledega High 1936 to 1939, Principal of Winterboro High School 1939 to 1943, he was a veteran of the U. S. Navy in WWII and in 1945 to 1947 he returned to Dekalb County High as Principal.From 1955 to 1975 he was Superintendent of the Alabama Baptist Children's Home in Troy, AL.He was a member of the choir and Sunday School teacher at the First Baptist Church in Fort Payne, AL, Past President of the Dekalb County Chapter of the AARP, past member of the Troy Board of Education, life member of the Kiwanis Club, member on the council on aging..Member of the Baptist Board of Missions, member of the Y.E.S. Board of Directors, past member of the Child Care Executive Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention. he was a member of the American Red Cross Executive Board and Blood Mobile Volunteer.He was manager of the Shocco Springs Assembly in Talledega, AL and Alabama Baptist Brotherhood Secretary.He is survived by his Wife; Marie Hilley Shirey

Survivors include Shirey's wife, Marie Hilley Shirey of Fort Payne, a daughter and son-in-law, two brothers, a sister, a granddaughter, two stepchildren, 11 step grandchildren and 11 step great-grandchildren.As superintendent of the Children's Homes, "Pop" Shirey led the ministry's growth from the main campus in Troy to homes in Decatur, Birmingham and Mobile.The agency's first foster care families were recruited, the family assistance program was expanded and aid increased to college and trade school students.In addition to increased Cooperative Program receipts from Alabama Baptists, the Annual Children's Homes Offering from churches grew fourfold.Lillian Scoggins Corley lived at Troy while Shirey was in leadership there.Shirey loved to sing and really pushed the choral program at the Troy campus," Corley recalled. Earlier as Shocco Springs' first manager, Shirey not only helped to improve the property, but also helped to nurture lives of children and families who visited, according to retired director George Ricker. I have the pleasure of hearing this today, but it has been the committed leadership of men like Dr. Shirey, who gave of themselves to build a heritage that still changes lives today.We are indebted to Dr. Shirey for paving the way that has guided us into the 21st century and beyond."Wendy Westerhouse, Shocco's conference relations associate, added, "We are pleased that Dr. Shirey was able to participate in the January 2000 dedication of the Shirey Retreat Lodge, our upscale adult retreat facility named in his honor.Because of Dr. Shirey and others like him, thousands of people have accepted Jesus Christ at Shocco and this ministry continues to impact lives today."Shirey was born near Albertville in Marshall County and was a son of Alabama Baptist pastor W.B. Shirey.After graduation from Tennessee River Institute in 1927, Hobson earned the bachelor of arts degree from Furman University in Greenville, S.C., and the master of arts degree from the University of Alabama.In 1973, he received an honorary doctor of humanities degree from Judson College in Marion.From 1931 to 1943, he was a public school teacher in Fort Payne, Talladega and Winterboro.He was principal of Winterboro High School and, after serving in the U.S. Navy, was principal at Fort Payne High School.Before going to work with Shocco Springs, he served as minister of music and education at First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge, Tenn.