Shirley Ann Coulson

July 17, 2024, the day our beloved Shirley Ann (Stockinger) Coulson had been waiting for the majority of her life, the day she met Jesus. Shirley was surrounded by her Redemption Church family as well as Jonathan Tomblin, Larry and Jackie Puckett, Yancy Puckett, and Zenia Fortson who traveled from Arkansas to say their final goodbyes.

On May 25, 1949, Shirley was born in Leachville, Ark., to Everett and Reba Stockinger who preceded her in death. As a young girl, Shirley moved to Michigan and met the love of her life, Charles Erwin Coulson who survives. The two were married on Oct. 23, 1967. During her lifetime she and Charles owned and managed many mobile home parks in the area as well as Jim’s Cafe in Dowagiac where she was the bookkeeper for all of their endeavors. In addition to being a bookkeeper, Shirley was the secretary of the UAW in Dowagiac for over 25 years.

Most recently, Shirley served as the secretary, Mother of the Church, and founding member of Redemption Church of Eau Claire for the last five years. Although she loved those titles, her favorite title was being a Sunday school teacher, which she was for many years. During her time as a Sunday school teacher, many students have become pastors. Teaching and leading others to Christ was her passion. Left to celebrate her homecoming with Jesus is her Redemption Church of Eau Claire family, her nieces and nephews: Larry and Jackie Puckett, Yancy Puckett, Zenia Fortson, and great-nephew, Jonathan Tomblin.

We would like to acknowledge and thank the wonderful staff at the Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, on the 3rd and 4th floor as well as the staff at the Timbers Nursing Home in Dowagiac who all took immaculate care of Shirley. There will be no services. The family has entrusted the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with arrangements. Those wishing to leave condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.