Shirley Faye Alby
August 19, 1944 ~ August 10, 2025
Shirley F. Alby, 80, Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
A Celebration of Life Open House will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Brandon Valley Assembly of God, Brandon, SD, with a Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sioux Falls at a later date.
Shirley Faye Tolliver was born on August 19, 1944, in Dennard, AR, to John and Velda (Miller) Tolliver. She married Allen Alby on January 14, 1961.
A devoted mother and grandmother, Shirley dedicated her early years to being a stay-at-home mom before later working as a school librarian. For 23 years, she owned and operated Shirley’s Customer Paperhanging, and in more recent years, she enjoyed working part-time at JCPenney.
Shirley lived life to the fullest, always on the go and full of energy. She loved attending Bible study, attending concerts at McKennan Park and the Sioux Empire fair, and she never missed a performance at the Levitt.
Shirley adored her role as “personal chauffeur” to her grandchildren, creating countless special memories along the way. A true adventurer, she loved to travel – often taking spontaneous trips just for the joy of it.
Known for her sharp eye for a bargain and her warm, welcoming heart, Shirley had a gift for making friends everywhere she went. She lived an active lifestyle, always going somewhere, doing something, and sharing her zest for life with everyone she met.
Shirley will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Julie (David) Sunde; son, James Alby; grandchildren, Caleb (Sonia) Sunde, Erica Sunde, Austin Alby, Elliott Alby, and Charlotte Alby; great-grandchildren, Sloane Napier, and Neva Sunde; sister, Sandra Jackson, and brothers, Rick Tolliver and Jay Tolliver.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Allen; parents, John and Velda Tolliver; and her sister, Judy Little.
I worked with Shirley at Wells Fargo financial services. She was a delight and dedicated, hardworking employee. If you were her friend, you knew she always had your back. I cried the day she left because we had become friends. She loved her tea! Rest in peace.