God did not promise sun without rain, light without darkness or joy without pain, but he has promised strength for the day when the darkness comes, and we lose our way. And when we seek shelter in his wondrous love and ask him to send us help from above, then we find comfort and know it is true, that bright, shining hours and dark, sad ones too, are part of the plan God made for each on and all we need is to pray that “Thy will be done.”

Shirley Ann Cannady, affectionately known as “Big Ma,” was born in Quitman, Georgia on December 13th, 1949, to the late Essie Lou Cason and Horace Cason Sr. She was the youngest of thirteen children. Shirley ‘Big Ma’ grew up in Pidcock, Georgia, where she attended the public schools of Brooks County.

Shirley met the love of her life, Henry Cannady Sr, and they formed a beautiful union on May 29, 1965, and six beautiful children were spawn. Shirley worked at Weeks Textile in Quitman for some years. Then she later became a stay-at-home mom and started her own craft and floral business for years, where she worked with many people touching their lives through her talents. She was also a great seamstress and loved to sew clothing, pillows and curtains. She was a woman of several talents: singing, home décor and most of all cooking. If you have never had her cooking, you definitely missed out on some good dishes.

Shirley ‘Big Ma’, grew up attending New Jersey Missionary Baptist Church as a child with her parents and siblings, she then attended Crusaders for Christ of Boston, GA, after her marriage, and then moved to serve the Lord at Monument Missionary Baptist Church of Quitman GA. But still no matter where she was at her soul wasn’t complete and after serving all those years at other churches God led her back to her childhood church, New Jersey Missionary Baptist Church of Pidcock GA and served as a faithful Mother of the church until her untimely demise.

Shirley ‘Big Ma’ loved to go with family and friends and have a good time, and often times she would joke and do a little dance. She was always a person to get a good laugh from. Shirley, in her early years when her husband was living, would travel to Florida to visit her kids, and relatives. She was always on the go. On Saturdays, you were bound to see Shirley and Mr. Henry at Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby or KFC. They could also be found having their craft sales where everyone would be there, especially, family and friends buying their items and having a good time. Later, she lost the love of her life and things slowly changed and Shirley began to evolve into her new life of singleness.

Shirley ‘Big Ma’, began to face many health challenges and lost all interest in her life of activities, traveling and most of all her craft business. She still managed to serve God and still make family functions as she could due to her health status. She fought long and hard with the help of family, friends and loved ones. Many times, Shirley ‘Big Ma’ would say ‘I’m Tired Baby, but I’m going to keep on fighting just for y’all. God heard her cry of many years and said I’m swinging low in my chariot and letting Shirley ‘Big Ma’ ride. He loaded up his chariot with patience, love and kindness and said “I’m headed to earth for my child.

On Wednesday morning October 30th, God touched down and stepped off his chariot and said Shirley ‘Big Ma’ get on in it’s time to go home. Shirley ‘Big Ma’ looked at God and said I’m ready Father lets go home. As she loaded up and God pulled off, she looked back at the world and said ‘Goodbye World I’m Going Home’…. Shirley ‘Big Ma’ is survived by four daughters: Helen Majors, Linda Cannady Staffard (Adrie), Joyce Bartholemew (Andrew) and Dorothy Cannady (Edward); special daughter, Shirley Miley; two sons, Henry James Cannady Jr. (Tammy) and Garry Cannady Sr. (Demetria); two kids she raised as her own, Tamecia Majors & Anthony Cannady; three sisters, Lillie Mae Bryant (M.B.), Marie Gross, and Ebenezer Cannady; brothers-in-law: Reverend Carl Dasher, Rossie Cannady (Katie), Frank James Cannady, and Reverend Junior Cannady (Earnestine); sister-in-law, Irene Cason; 28 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and a host of family and friends that loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Henry James Cannady; brothers, J. C. Williams, Earnest William, Horace Cason Jr., Lewis Cason, William Cason, Wallace Cason, Thomas Cason, Willie James Thomas; sisters, Betty Cason Dasher; sisters in law, Doris Cason, Willie Mae Williams, Emma Lou Williams, Lucille Thomas, Mary Jackson, Ruthie Mae Rushing, and Geneva Taylor.

Visitation will be Friday, November 8, 2024 at the Stevens-McGhee chapel from 3PM-7PM.

Home going services will be Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Simmon Hill MB Church at 3PM. Burial will follow in First Elizabeth Cemetery. Visit this website or our Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home Facebook page to view a livestream of the celebration.

Continue to pray along with the Cannady Family during this time.