- Memorial Service Friday, July 28, 2023
- Visitation begins at 10:00 and Service is at 11:00 AM Eastern Time
- Omega Baptist Church, 1821 Emerson Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45406
- Wear a stylish hat (men and women) in her honor
Shirley Alice Sloan-Smiley (Rhoades) went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ July 13, 2023.Shirley was born September 5, 1944 in Dayton, Ohio to Ellis “Rudy” Rudolph and Rachel Elsie Rhoades.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Rudy and Rachel Rhoades, her sister Velma Rhoades and her brother James Rhoades.
Shirley graduated from Roosevelt High School class of 1962, she began her adult work life with a short stint at NCR and found that a production line was not suited to her.She went on to work at Antioch College as the payroll clerk for the faculty. Shirley found her love of art and especially Black art while she worked at Antioch.
A short time after she left Antioch she began a career at IBM in Cincinnati working as the night shift dispatcher for the computer repairmen. As soon as a position came open, she moved to the Dayton office of IBM in downtown Dayton. Shirley posed a striking and familiar figure in downtown Dayton as she strolled through town on lunch breaks and shopping trips. Shirley took an early retirement from IBM. Shirley had a few jobs after IBM, Helig Meijer, Morris Furniture, RTA, Dayton Public Schools, The City of Dayton at the Dayton International Airport before her last retirement. Shirley was also a USO Volunteer in Okinawa, Japan. In the midst of her career, she always found time to help raise her granddaughters, attend track meets, field events, school shows, concerts and plays. She often stood in as a second parent.
Shirley was most often seen with a book since she loved to read and she loved to roller skate. She loved fashion and decorating. Friends would often consult her for fashion tips and decorating ideas years before personal shoppers were a thing.As a youth and young adult Shirley attended First Church of God on Home Ave. Later she would join Omega Baptist Church where she attended the early service and introduced her daughter and granddaughters to the congregation who also became members.
Shirley leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband Thomas Smiley, her children Adrienne Crowder, Dennis Sloan II, stepdaughter Erika Smiley, Stepson Travis Smiley, grandchildren Rachel Crowder, Naomi Crowder, and Denae Walters. Honorary children Angie Regan, Angie Coleman, Shannon Walters, Gerald Lewis and Larry Lewis. Sisters Cynthia Rand, and Rudie (Ernest) Hansbro. Along with a host of dedicated nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
Final arrangements by W.E. Lusain Funeral Home, Dayton, Ohio.
