Portrait of Shirley Randall. IMB Photo
Shirley Randall, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Zimbabwe, died June 10, 2025. She was 85.
Shirley was born June 19, 1939, in Seattle, Washington, to the late Paul and Irene Jackson. She graduated from Heard County High School in Franklin, Georgia, and received the Bachelor of Arts from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
During her sophomore year at Mercer, she met Maurice Randall. They were married on June 24, 1961. That fall, Maurice entered medical school, and over the next few years Shirley taught school, worked on the city-county bookmobile, and served as principal of several Vacation Bible schools. In the spring of 1966, they moved their family to Japan for three years while Maurice completed his military service. They returned to Georgia in 1969, and Maurice started his general surgery residency.
While seeking missionary appointment Shirley recalled she had first responded to God’s call to missions during Foreign Missions Week at Ridgecrest conference center when she was 16 years old. She wrote, “We feel that God has opened many doors during these years of preparation for mission service, and we are grateful finally to be able to apply to go to serve in another country and share the good news of God’s love as we’ve experienced it through Jesus Christ.”
In 1971, the International Mission Board appointed Maurice and Shirley missionaries to Zimbabwe, where they served faithfully for 30 years.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Maurice Lee Randall, and a grandson, Philip Kevin Harkins.
She is survived by her four children, Dr. Mark and Tina Westerfield Randall of Winfield, Alabama, Donny and Sharon Randall Duvall of Cusseta, Alabama, Sheila Randall Harkins of Bangkok, Thailand, and Dr. Hunter and Susie Randall Hansen of Auburn, Alabama; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.
A celebration of life service was held June 14 at Second Baptist Church in Cedartown, Georgia.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering, IMB, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or online at Generosity Resource Center – IMB Generosity.
Read an obituary here.