Shirley McCormick-Gwinn

Our amazing mother transitioned from time to eternity on January 13, 2025. She battled valiantly and is more than a conqueror. She wrote these words just for you.

I, SHIRLEY JEAN (FRAZIER) MCCORMICK, REDMAN, GWINN, was born February 5, 1938, in Roxboro, North Carolina, and raised in BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. You may have called me MOMS CORLEONE’, BOSS MAC,SQUIRT, YONIE, GRANDMOTHER, G.G., MOMMY, MOMSIE, BLOSSOM, or just plain MOM, I answered to them all.

I was preceded in death by my parents, DAVE FRAZIER and EASTER Ophelia May Ruffin Parker Frazier MCNAIR; my sister, MARJORIE MCNAIR; my husband, ROBERT GWINN; my sons, RONALD “ROLO” MCCORMICK, SR., and LESLIE “DUSTY” BROOKS; my daughters-in-love, Marcella Redman and Sabrina McCormick; also waiting for G.G. is my nephew, EDGAR “CRAIG” MCNAIR; granddaughter, VERONICA NICHOLE MCCORMICK; great-granddaughter, JEVAEH MCCORMICK; special friends, Genetra Gardner, RANDOLPH “Sonny” JOHNSON, JR., and WILLIAM “Berry” ARTERBERRY; and my best friend, EARL J. REDMAN, SR.

I was educated at Dunbar High School in Baltimore, Maryland, attended Columbus State College in Columbus, Ohio, and was a member in good standing with “AA” since April 25, 1977. Robert Gwinn, and I met and married on December 31, 1984 (for tax purposes), and then we fell in LOVE.

In 1989, I received my sewing gift from GOD (specializing in ETHNIC WEAR AND Ministerial ROBES). Then I began to make ANYTHING I could imagine: sew, crochet, build, plastic canvas, etc. Some of my clothes and crafts are still around. My favorite trips were to FAMILY REUNIONS in North Carolina and gambling in ATLANTIC CITY. So don’t mourn too long for me because I had a FULL life—Loved almost every phase of it. The only things I missed on “MY BUCKET LIST” was learning to play my organ and swimming with confidence. After GOD, I loved my children, softball, bowling fellowship with the MONDAY GO-GETTERS, BINGO with my neighbors at Ottawa Ridge, TRIPOLEY with the “FOLKS” and POKENO with the “Olde Folks.”

As a child, I was baptized in Chesapeake Bay in Baltimore, Maryland (I was really crabbing and fell in). I loved to laugh—as well as make others laugh. I sure hope they have lobsters and crabs in Heaven (I’ll let you know). My infectious laughter and jovial personality made me well-liked by “most” of those who met me (oh no not all).  In 2000, I re-dedicated my life to CHRIST and joined “THE DIVINE REFUGE CHURCH OF CHRIST” in East Columbus, Ohio. After joining, I was baptized by the late BISHOP GEORGE C. PLUMMER. A devoted mother of seven—I lived only to share myself with them and to watch over EACH as they grew into unique individuals. Okay, so I started with seven kids but raised anyone who came through the door. If you looked hungry, homeless, or loveless I found a space (pallet) on the floor, at the table, and in my heart.  

I leave my sons, HAROLD W. MCCORMICK, JR., EARL REDMAN, JR., ERIC MCCORMICK, CHARLES (Debbie) GWINN; daughters, BONITA (Don, Sr.) WILLIAMS, ANGELA K. MCCORMICK, MELISSA E. REDMAN, ROSALIND L. PHIPPS-JONES, KEVIN KING, and COLUMBUS SMITH; and all others to Celebrate, Rejoice, Mourn, Be happy, Be sad, Be glad (Smile), or Other (You fill in the Box). Also, I leave scores of grandkids (16), great-grandkids (50), and great-great-grandkids (nine), way too many to name. I may miss somebody and that’s a No No! My three nieces: TONI V. MCNAIR (Larry Sr.), DAWN L. MCNAIR BEY, and JOY LYNN MCNAIR occupy a special place in my heart.

Finally, I leave to celebrate my life—the LOVE of MY life—QUEEN E. BROOKS.

****** TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST... TOUGH PEOPLE DO!!!!!! ******

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