Shirley Wilson Coble Malugin

Shirley Wilson Coble Malugin, age 89, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2024 at NHC Place at the Trace in Bellevue, Tennessee. She was born on May 24, 1935, in Ecorse, Michigan as the pride and joy and only child of Christine Rushton Coble and Wilson Coble. She could tell great stories of fun times spent with her Rushton cousins.

Shirley grew up mostly in Coble, Tennessee and graduated from Hickman County High School in 1953 where she was a star basketball player and voted “Neatest Girl” in her class. Some of her dearest friends were the 6 Coble girls who remained friends from birth - enjoying much laughter and many trips together.

Glen and Shirley, married in 1953, moved to Kentucky and lived there until returning to the Nashville area in 1957. Shirley worked as a Key Punch Operator at Life and Casualty Insurance Co, and then as a bookkeeper at Richland Flower Shop. She later worked doing market research for the Nashville Research Group. She was a long-time member of both South Harpeth Church of Christ and Forest Home Church of Christ. Shirley and Glen loved their South Harpeth Community and the life-long friends they made after moving there in 1963. 

Shirley was a great southern cook – especially known for her banana pudding, yeast rolls, green beans, and chocolate syrup. She loved to plan and go on trips – whether camping with family and friends at Ruskin Cave or Fall Creek Falls or trips to NASCAR races or the SEC Basketball Tournament or Dollywood with the grandkids. 

She and Glen enjoyed trips to the casinos (she often won!) and their free buffet. They loved traveling together and had been to 49 states and Europe. Shirley liked to play Canasta, Spades, and Rummikub with her friends at NHC, and Scrabble with any family member who would challenge her! 

Shirley loved and was so proud of her children and their spouses, her four grandchildren and their spouses, and her three great-grandchildren. She was known to speak up and speak frankly and be fiercely loyal and generous to her family, friends, and beliefs. 

Shirley is preceded by her husband of almost sixty-eight years, Glen Malugin. She is survived by her children, Glenda Brown (Bob) and Gary Malugin (Rita); her four grandchildren – Robyn Floyd (Tracy), Hillary Garen (Chris), Elliot Brown (Alli), and Hailey Christian (Jordan); and her three great-grandchildren, Rowan Floyd, Crue Floyd, and Willa Christian. 

Dr. Doug Varnado will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Elliott Brown, Kenny Caruthers, Charles Caudill, Jordan Christian, Tracy Floyd, Chris Garen, Calvin King, and John Rushton. Honorary pallbearers will be the Coble Girls – Betty Litton, Sue Ann Loveless, and Reda Springer. 

A special thank you to NHC Place at the Trace, Caris Hospice, and Aimee Dozier Jones for their loving care of Shirley these past three months. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Childrens Hospital or a favorite charity.