Shirley received her B.A. degree in Bible and Elementary Education from Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, PA. She is a second grade reading teacher at Elmer Wolfe Elementary School.

She has an extensive ministry background. In addition to being a gracious pastor's wife for over a decade, Shirley has led an entire Pioneer Club Children's Ministry, has taught Children's Church and children's Sunday School, has led a church-based Women's Ministry, and is a fine conference speaker on women's ministry issues.

Shirley completed a two-year LEAD (Lay Encouragers And Disciplers) training program and ministered for two years as a lay encourager. She finished an additional one-year Spiritual Friendship equipping program and has provided spiritual friendship to numerous grateful women for years.