Ruth Shirley Willingham, "Shirley", left this world on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Edenwald in Towson, MD at the age of 92.  She passed peacefully in her sleep after her journey with Parkinson's Disease.  She received hospice care from Gilchrist in Towson, MD.

Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She was the only child of George and Ruth Reckenberger and was born on September 28, 1928 in Baltimore, MD.  After graduating from Patterson Park High School, she met her husband, Robert M. Willingham, Sr.  Bob predeceased her in 1992.  They had three children:  Debbie, Robert and Pam.

Shirley was the Vice President at G & G Uniform Company in Baltimore and worked with Bob and Robert.  Years earlier she worked at the Traveler's Insurance Company.

She was loving, thoughtful, kindhearted, compassionate and gracious.  She taught her children and grandchildren how to care about others and have a kind word for them.  She was proud of her granddaughters and the great adults that they have become. She never complained and always had a positive outlook on life.  She was an avid reader and was reading books into her early 90's.

Shirley loved traveling with her family and friends.  She received pleasure from beautiful flowers.  She loved watching the boats go up to the Inner Harbor from her waterfront condo.   She enjoyed playing bridge, golf and bowling with her friends.  She was very thankful for her good health.  She said that she was blessed.

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Bentley and her husband, Dr. Nelson Bentley of Baltimore, MD, her son, Robert Willingham and his wife Melissa Willingham of Asheville, NC and her daughter, Pam Williams and her late husband, Dr. Howard Williams of Baltimore, MD.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dr. Lauren Covington, her husband, Chris Covington and their daughter, Ashby, Dr. Eryn Kruger and her husband, Lawson and their daughter, Avery, Katie Coiner, her husband, Josh Coiner and their daughter, Hayley, Allison Baurichter, her husband, Josh Baurichter and their daughter, Lila and Amy Williams.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial donations to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, Attn: Donor Services Department, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN  38148-0142, www.stjude.org , 800-822-6344 or Shriners Hospital for Children, Attn: Bonnie Meister, Development Department, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA  19140, www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org , 215-430-4000.

A private graveside service will be held at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.