Showing a deep concern for the spiritual, physical and emotional well-being of Alabama children and families is how R. Hobson Shirey will be remembered. He served 20 years as assistant superintendent and superintendent of what is now the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH). His role there came after seven years as the first manager of Shocco Springs Conference Center in Talladega and brotherhood secretary for the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
Shirey, a 95-year-old newlywed, died Nov. 11 in Fort Payne. The funeral was held Nov. 13 at First Baptist Church, Fort Payne, with Doyle Shirey and Alton Vaughn officiating. Burial followed in Glenwood Cemetery.
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. She said he set a “fatherly example” and often organized talent contests for the children. “Mr. Shirey loved to sing and really pushed the choral program at the Troy campus,” Corley recalled.
“He and his first wife, Sara, were inspirations in that they tried to project their Christian beliefs. They understand that while church membership was important, it wasn’t the same as becoming a Christian.”
After retirement from the Children’s Homes in 1975, the Shireys continued to minister to children. They were volunteer directors at a dormitory for children of missionaries in Israel.
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.
“Hobson’s first months at Shocco Springs were spent cleaning up the property and renovating dilapidated buildings with limited funds,” Ricker noted. “He had a wonderful way of showing God’s love to all people.
He had a love for music and implemented the first statewide music event at Shocco Springs.”
Shocco memories
Shocco executive director Buster Taylor said, “People constantly comment to me on what a beautiful place Shocco has become. 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.
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