Mrs. Shirley Anne Sluder Cunliffe

Shirley Anne Sluder Cunliffe passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 1, 1949, in Asheville, North Carolina, to June and Richard Sluder, Shirley lived a life marked by devotion, adventure, and grace. She attended T.C. Roberson High School, where she met the love of her life, Hillis Cunliffe. They married January 17, 1970, and began an incredible 55-year journey together. As Hillis embarked on a 23-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Shirley embraced military life with poise and resilience, building a warm and happy home as they moved around the globe. Their travels began at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, the birthplace of their son, Michael, and continued to Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska, where their daughter, Amy was born. They later lived in Florida, England, and California before eventually settling in Millbrook, Alabama, which remained Shirley’s home until her passing. Shirley had a long and dedicated career as a switchboard operator, retiring in the early 2000s after serving as head of switchboard operations at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Her calm demeanor and strong work ethic left a lasting impression on colleagues and friends alike. Outside of work, Shirley loved gardening, reading, water aerobics, and spending time with family and friends. She and Hillis shared a love of the arts and travel which included attending plays, watching movies, and exploring new cities throughout their retirement. Shirley was a devoted grandmother to Ben and Jack (Amy and Will’s sons) who were the lights of her life. Shirley was also a beloved aunt to her brother Rick Sluder’s children Cody, Jamie, and Summer, and a cherished great-aunt to Summer’s son Ulysses. She was a loving aunt to Barbara Hall Simpson (John) and Jennifer Hall, daughters of sister-in-law Lucy and the late Jimmy Hall. She adored Barbara and John’s children Marshall, Virginia, and Jack Simpson. She is survived by her husband Hillis Cunliffe; her mother, June Sluder; her brother, Rick Sluder; her children, Michael (Sara) Cunliffe and Amy (Will) Smith; and her grandsons, Ben and Jack. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Sluder; her sister-in-law, Shirley Sluder; and her brother-in-law, Jimmy Hall. Shirley touched the lives of all who knew her and leaves behind memories full of joy, kindness, and a life well lived. She will be deeply missed. A Celebration of Life service will be on Friday July 11, 2025, at 11:00 am from the chapel of Brookside Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Brookside Funeral Home, Crematorium & Memorial Gardens of Millbrook, AL directing