Shirla Mclarty

Shirla Dean McLarty, age 90, went home to be with the Lord on May 3, 2023. In heaven, she is reunited with her husband, Milton "Gerry" Kile, mother, Averill Louise "Nana" McInnaly, and her beloved daughter, Kimberly Brooks. Shirla is survived by her cherished granddaughter, Sabrina Brooks, who cared for her faithfully until she passed. She was laid to rest next to Gerry at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Shirla was born March 6, 1933 in Harrisburg, IL. As a child, Shirla fondly remembered days spent on the farm riding horses and milking cows with her grandparents. After moving to Michigan, Shirla became the Bid Coordinator for the Road Commission for Oakland County, where she worked until retirement. She was married to her second husband, Gerry, whom she met at the Road Commission. She still kept the sweet cards and love letters he would write to her. Family mattered most to Shirla - and no finer grandmother may have walked the earth. Her love for Sabrina knew no bounds. She and Nana were a constant presence at Sabrina's home growing up, always arriving with new presents and peanut butter blossom cookies. Sabrina will never forget her perfect BLTs with the summer tomatoes sliced just right and the bacon fried extra, extra, extra crisp. One favorite childhood tradition was their shopping outings: all four generations would head out together on the weekends for new outfits and a family lunch. Shirla built her Crescent Lake home in 1967 and loved hosting family and friends for pontoon rides and meals. She always opened her home to Sabrina's cousins and friends, who spent hours swimming, playing video games and taking out the boat. Sabrina was an athlete, and no matter the sport or the weather, she knew she could always look to the sidelines to find Shirla with a smile on her face, cheering her on. Shirla loved taking Sabrina to the batting cages and the go-cart track and was always game for a round of putt-putt. Shirla loved to dress well, but her best accessories were her playful eyes and sweet smile. She didn't drink much, but could stay up half the night playing Pinochle or Canasta. She kept her faith until her dying day. One important lesson she taught Sabrina was the power of positivity - even when things got tough. Shirla and Sabrina always told each other, "I love you all the way around the world and back." Though Shirla is no longer here with us, her love endures. Sabrina would like to extend her warmest gratitude to the staff at Rivertown Ridge and Gentiva Hospice for their help, care, and compassion throughout this difficult time. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirla Mclarty, please visit our flower store.