Mrs. Shelba Starr Chism, 73, of Chattanooga, TN passed away in a local nursing facility, Sunday February 26, 2023. Shelba graduated from Riverside High School in Chattanooga, TN, class of 1967. She was a retired Family Services Advocate at the Avondale Head Start/Early Head Start Program with the City of Chattanooga. She also retired from Memorial Hospital where she was employed for 20 years. She attended First Baptist Church of Washington Hills where she joined on August 24, 2003. Shelba served on the Mothers and Deaconess Ministry. She was a Trustee, an Assistant Teacher for the Primary Sunday School Class, and Co-Chairperson of the Pastor’s Appreciation Day Committee. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, William Starr and Evelyn Maxine Crawford; sister, Beverly Joyce Benn; Husband of 33 years, James B. Chism, Sr.; and son, James B. Chism, Jr.

Shelba leaves to cherish her memories a loving and devoted daughter, Derrica Chism of Chattanooga, TN; three beautiful granddaughters, Jasmyne (Jamin), Robyn (Fashion), Desiree (Cuppy) Chism all of Chattanooga, TN; one great granddaughter and the love of her life, E’Leah (Baby Leah) Chism-Lawrence; daughter-in-law, Jarkara Chism; aunt, Helen Boney of Philadelphia, PA; a devoted best friend and “Bestie”, Monta Blue; sister-in-law, Alice Marie Chism Henson; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Public viewing will be held 2:00 pm-6:00 pm, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at the funeral home. A 1:00 pm celebration of life service will be held, Friday, March 10, 2023, at John P, Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.

Interment: Forest Hills Cemetery.