Shirley Ann New

Shirley Ann New, 87, of Fernandina Beach, FL, passed away peacefully January 16, 2025.  She was born December 17, 1937, in Fitzgerald, GA, the youngest of five, to the late Vernon and Theresa Ray. 

On March 1, 1957, Shirley married the love of her life, her sister-in-law’s younger brother, Charles D. New.  They moved to Fernandina Beach that same year, where Charles began his long career at Container Corporation of America and where they raised four children.  Many locals remember Shirley’s smiling face in the cafeterias of Fernandina Beach Jr High School and Fernandina Beach High School.  But her true passion was being a mom, involved in all their activities, especially sports. She worked concession stands, sewed countless cheerleader uniforms, attended many, many football games, baseball games, swimming meets, cheerleading practices helping and encouraging at each one.  She was a great cook and loved trying all the “latest and greatest” foods as they came out. Of course, she would try these out on the kids first while dad was working shift work.

She was also a faithful member of 14th Street Baptist and made sure her children attended Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.  Although Shirley didn’t hunt herself, she was active supporting Charles and the boys when they did and later worked alongside Charles in his “world famous” tomato garden.  When her own kids were grown, she often kept her
grandchildren while parents worked…..they all loved, loved their Nana, as do her grandchildren’s children.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by Charles, her beloved husband of 57 years; four siblings; her son, Jeffrey New; grandchildren James Huls, Glen D. Huls, Jr., and Jessica New; and great-grandsons Sebastian and Caleb Bain. She is survived by sons Bill New (Diane) and Mike New (Melinda) and daughter Toni Bennett (Harold); twelve grandchildren, Angela New, Mike Bain, Joe Bain, Jeff Shrock (Melyssa), Kyle New (Amanda), Brian Kaiserauer (Jen), Kelsi New (Ashley), Holli New, Jackson Ramer, Justin Ramer, Charles  Huls (Danielle) and Brian Huls (Brandy); 21 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at noon Thursday, January 23 at Blackrock Baptist Church, 96362 Blackrock Rd, Yulee. The family will receive friends prior to service from 11am – 12pm.   If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorials made be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville. FL 32257.