Shirley M. Smith King

“We shall sing on that beautiful shore the melodious song of the blest; and our spirits shall sorrow no more – not a sigh for the blessing of the rest.”

Shirley Muncy Smith King was called to her Heavenly home to sing with the angels on May 14, 2024.

Shirley was born August 30, 1935 in Sempronius, NY, to Charles and Eva Hopkins Muncy.  Shirley graduated from Cincinnatus Central School in 1952, where her mother, Eva Muncy Glezen, taught English for many years.  Shirley married Floyd Horton Smith on July 5, 1953.  Floyd and Shirley had five children.

Her first job was as a bookkeeper at B.R. Baldwin in Cincinnatus.  Her favorite job, however, was as a “lumberjill” alongside Floyd in the woods.  The firewood business was a family affair where Floyd and Shirley taught their five children the value of a hard day’s work.

Growing up with her brother, Jack, and sister, Adah, on the family farm in German, NY, one of Shirley and Adah’s favorite past times was riding horseback.  She shared her love of horses with her children.  Many a summer evening was spent riding horseback with her children on Potter Hill while camping at “Uncle Bob” (Pudney’s) pond.  There you could find the family pet pony, Spider, roaming the campsite.

Shirley loved music!  Shirley and Adah enjoyed harmonizing as their mother played the piano.  She sang in the chorus and was selected for NYSMA.  She could play several instruments including trumpet, violin, organ and accordion.  Later in life, Shirley enjoyed singing along with The Gaither’s and Lawrence Welk on Saturday evenings spent with her son, Jeff.

After losing her beloved husband, Floyd, to cancer, Shirley eventually was blessed with having Johnny King and his family in her life.  Shirley and Johnny loved to attend craft shows together where they made friends and sold Johnny’s carvings.

Shirley is survived by her five children, Jeffrey (Lauri) Smith, Madeline (Gary) Astles, Zachary (Connie) Smith, Jacqueline (Randy) Closson, and Melanie (Tim) Campbell; stepchildren, Eric (Susan) King and Jan (Larry) Pudney; her sister, Adah; and many nieces and nephews.  She was also blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Those waiting in Heaven to welcome her are her parents and brother; her first husband, Floyd; her second husband, Johnny; and stepsons Brad and Adam.

Funeral services for Shirley will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Heritage Hall in Cincinnatus.  Burial will be in Lower Cincinnatus Cemetery at the convenience of the family.  The family will be present to receive friends at Heritage Hall on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Shirley may be directed to the Lower Cincinnatus Cemetery Association, c/o Shelby Mudge, 5169 Piety Hill Road, Cincinnatus, NY 13040.  

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to their mother’s caregivers who so lovingly cared for her.