Patsy Leona (McAliley) Torbert

Patsy Leona McAliley Torbert, 87, Muscle Shoals, passed away Friday, March 28, 2025, at Cottage of the Shoals. She was a retired school teacher. Patsy was a member of First United Methodist Church, Florence, and NAMI Shoals.

Visitation will be Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 2-3 p.m. at Greenview Funeral Home.  The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.  Interment will be in Greenview Memorial Park. Officiating will be Rev. Wannell Scott and Andy Betterton.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Elizabeth Lynn Shelly Harvey; grandson, Steven Torbert; and great granddaughter, Gracyn Torbert.

Patsy is survived by her husband, Robert E. Torbert, Muscle Shoals, AL; son, David M. Shelly (Julie), Madison, AL; step-son, James Torbert (Sheree), Tuscumbia; step-daughter, Jennifer Torbert, Canton, GA; grandchildren, Matthew B. Shelly and McKenna L. Shelly, Madison, Al; Steven's wife, Kristen Torbert, Jacksonville, NC; Chelsea Gentry, Tuscumbia, AL; Lanneshia Familuji, Edrina and Edrick Torbert, Canton, GA; great grandchildren, Levi Gentry, Tuscumbia, AL, Shemilore, Shayo, Sade, and Samuel Familuji, in Georgia, Jaiden and Kadian Torbert, Canton, GA, Rylan Torbert, Canton, GA, William Torbert, Jacksonville, NC.

Patsy was born April 18, 1937, in Valdosta, GA. To Malcolm M. McAliley and Laura Bell Johnston.  She was the seventh of nine children, all deceased.  She attended school in Geneva County, AL, graduating in 1954.  Patsy got her BS in education from Alabama College in Montivallo; a Masters from Florence State University; and an extra degree from the University of Alabama.  She taught school for 20 years in the Lauderdale County, AL. school system and retired in 1993.

Patsy married James Calvin Shelly, Jr. and had two children: Elizabeth Lynn, who predeceased her mother, and David Malcolm Shelly, who resides with his wife, Julie, and children, Matthew Bennett and McKenna Lynn, in Madison, AL. Patsy and Jim were Southern Baptist Missionaries to Brazil.

Her second marriage was to Robert Torbert, January 1, 1993, at the First Baptist Church, Florence, AL.  She became the loving grandmother to seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.  She and Bob spent 18 months as volunteers at the Oneita Baptist Institute boarding school in Oneita, KY.  They also volunteered for 20 years with Shoals Habitat for Humanity.

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