Shirley Friedman

Mrs. Shirley Kahn Friedman, 98, a longtime resident of Sandersville, Ga., who was deeply involved in the cultural, educational, and social life of her community--and far beyond-- for more than 70 years, died May 13 at the Washington County Extended Care Facility in Sandersville. A graveside memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Friday, June 3 ^rd at 2:30 p.m. in Brownwood Cemetery in Sandersville.  Reverend Jimmy Cason and Reverend Stan Littleton will officiate.  Her family will receive friends following the service at the Friedman home on Orchard Lane.

Mrs. Friedman was a prominent face and voice in Sandersville and surrounding communities throughout her adult life. She wrote a long-running weekly column for the Sandersville Progress and Sandersville Georgian. She was a soprano in the choir of the Sandersville United Methodist Church for 49 years. She was deeply involved in the work of Jewish cultural and charitable organizations in Georgia and nationally. Along with her husband, Maurice Friedman, she owned and operated the Shoe Box, a store for women on the Sandersville town square that served as a community gathering spot as well as a place of business.

In one of her proudest and most praised achievements, Mrs. Friedman wrote, produced, and performed three musicals--Ship Ahoy, Kudzu and Son of Kudzu--that were presented to large crowds at the old Sandersville Elementary School auditorium and won laudatory reviews as far away as New York City. And through her involvement in dozens of other organizations and civic initiatives, as well as the deep and widespread friendships she established with people from all walks of life, she made a positive impact in the lives of countless people in Sandersville and around the world.

Shirley Virginia Kahn was born on Dec. 12, 1923, in Pelham, Ga., the third oldest of six children of Barney Kahn and Frances (Finkelstein) Kahn. Mr. Kahn emigrated to the United States from Lithuania as a teen-ager and eventually settled in Pelham, a small town in southwest Georgia, where he established a dry-goods business that long had a prominent place on the Pelham town square.

Although the family had little money when the Kahn children were young, they all received classical educations, including exposure to music lessons at a very early age. That training became the foundation of Shirley's lifelong involvement in music as a singer, composer and friend and collaborator with many prominent professional musicians.

Mrs. Friedman attended the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a national honorary music fraternity, and Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. After graduating with a degree in music, she moved to New York City, where she studied voice from 1944-46. She lived at the legendary Parnannus Club for women and celebrated V-E Day and V-J Day in Times Square. She returned to Pelham in 1946 and taught 7th grade in the local school for one year. She then returned to the University of Georgia, where she completed a master's degree in counseling.

In 1949, Shirley married Maurice Friedman of Sandersville, who also graduated from UGA and returned to Sandersville to operate Friedman's men's store, which was founded by his father. The couple quickly took on roles of leadership in the community. Mr. Friedman served as two-term mayor and spearheaded many civic initiatives, including the establishment of the Washington County Memorial Hospital complex.

Mrs. Friedman also immersed herself in the community in myriad ways. Aside from her writing and music, she briefly taught English at the old Sandersville High School, assumed positions of leadership in several local clubs and organizations and gave crucial support to the Community Concerts series. Along the way, she earned a reputation as a world-class cook, hostess, interior decorator, raconteur, and loyal friend, among many other memorable attributes. She worried that, at age 98, she had outlived almost all her family and friends. She would be gratified to know that so many of them are still here to mourn her passing and celebrate her life.

Mrs. Friedman was predeceased by her parents; brothers, A.J. Kahn and Maurice Kahn; sister, Miriam K. Mirsky; and her husband, Maurice Leon Friedman. Survivors include her children, Robert W. Friedman and his wife Mary Stein of St. Petersburg, Fl., and Debbie K. Friedman of Atlanta; sister, Harriett K. Rubin of Kilgore, Tex., and brother, Jerome Kahn of Longwood, Fl.

Donations in her memory may be made to Sandersville United Methodist Church. P.O. Box 611, Sandersville, Ga., 31082., and the Washington County Extended Care Facility, 610 Sparta Road, Sandersville, GA., 31082.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements. Share an online condolence at www.mayandsmithf