Shirley (Winningham) Groce Austin

Shirley (Winningham) Groce Austin, age 93 of Byrdstown, TN, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at Livingston Regional Hospital.

She was born January 11, 1933 in Livingston, TN to Bernie Winningham & Ellen (Ogletree) Winningham. Shirley was a garment factory worker, a member of Livingston Church of Christ, and later attended Wolf River United Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Bernie and Ellen Winningham; husbands: Robert Groce and Luke Austin; (4) brothers:  Howard, Lester, Donald, and Bernie Winningham; (1) sister: Margaret Wesley; (3) sons: Johnny and Ronnie Robinson and David Austin; (1) daughter:  Bobbie Elder; (1) great grandson: Sadler Overton.

Shirley was survived by (5) daughters: Cathy (Roger) Tompkins, Carolyn Dyer, Sharon Russell, Diann (Jimmy) McWhorter, Terri (Tim) Anito; (2) sons: Wayne (Suzanne) Austin, Jeff Austin; (12) grandchildren: Emily (Stacy) Moody, Rachel (Randy) Overton, Brandon (Angie) Robinson, Nathan Robinson, Robert (Nancy) Elder, Neta (Scot) Cobb, Courtney (James) Fitzgerald, Amy Dyer, Mary Beth Jackson, Rob (Gia) Russell, Derek (Stacey) McWhorter, Daniel (Mandy) McWhorter; (23) great grandchildren: Spencer (Alex) Moody, Tyler Moody, Jackson (Emma) Moody, Max Moody, Sarah Moody, Sydney (Josh) Breland, Sutton Overton, Sadie Overton, Simms Overton, Sully Overton, Evan Robinson, Emma Robinson, Suzanne (Josh) Bond, Caroline (Dale) Madden, Elissa Cobb, Evan Fitzgerald, Trent Jackson, Mitch Russell, Caroline Russell, Blake McWhorter, Courtney McWhorter, Cole Chaplin, Dawson Chaplin; (6) great great grandchildren: Annalee Bond, JR Bond, Dale Madden Jr, Camille Madden, Jordan Chaplin, baby Moody on the way; sister-in-law: Shelia Winningham. 

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. from Brown Funeral Chapel with Bro. Randy Tompkins and Bro. Rick Cross officiating. The burial was in Lovelady-Sims Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were Spencer, Tyler, Jackson, and Max Moody; Josh Breland; Sutton, Simms, and Sully Overton; Evan Robinson.

The family will receive friends Friday, June 19 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Brown Funeral Chapel.