Shirley Blevins
Photograph of Shirley Blevins in the early 1970s, obtained from his friends at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
Memorial by Jeremy Farris
Shirley’s friend
Sadly, Shirley lost his life locked away behind bars after over 50 years waiting for his second chance, a chance this man so much deserved and never received.
Shirley Blevins was incarcerated in 1970 and passed away in 2021. Shirley was a devout Cincinnati Reds and University of Kentucky fan. He loved to watch his ball games and root for his favorite teams. People loved to tease the old man when they would lose and their team would win. He was a good sport and fun to joke with.
Over the years Shirley grew more frail and his weathered body began to fail him. However, his soul and spirit never changed. He was not broken by the conditions of his tiring years behind bars. Shirley had quite the personality and could tease and heckle people as good as anyone.
Shirley also loved to pass his time by working through “Sudoku” puzzles. He would spend hours upon hours placing them little mind-boggling numbers in those little boxes. He would simply sit and watch his ball games while having a Sudoku book in one hand.
Shirley was a man who grew up in Kentucky and came to Indiana. Indiana was where he was incarcerated in the end, passing away at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle, Indiana. He had been to the parole board many, many times hoping for his second chance at life, ultimately never receiving it in this world. Rest in peace old man.
Memorial by Walter Richeson
Shirley’s friend
Shirley was a man who reminded me of the old-timers on the television show “Moonshiners.” He had grown his beard long and his eyebrows were as wild as the vines growing up the side of an old church house. He’d sit there doing Sudokus and word searches listening to “Sport-Center '' on his T.V. if Kentucky University basketball wasn’t on. He loved Kentucky University. He would sit around eating bowls of potato chips and drinking “Kool Aid” while watching his games.
The staff at the prisons all knew him and treated him with respect. They would greet him daily just like most of the other gentlemen who were also in the same situation. We all loved and respected him as well. Shirley was the kind of man who would give the shirt off his back if you needed it. When I lived in the dorm with him, I’d give him a hug and would tell him everyday that I loved him. He was like a grandfather to me. I, as well as a lot of other people in prison, love and will miss him.
Memorial by Richard Branum
Shirley’s friend
Shirley was a high spirited soul. Before the two of us ever met, he already knew who I was because our cases were similar. Often he told me to always have hope and to never give up. He said, “even with the amount of time we are sentenced to, we can still maintain a happy and peaceful life - it’s what we make it.” Shirley was my friend. I always knew that if I looked into his cell to check on him or if I ever saw him elsewhere, I would always get a smile.
Shirley, you are now looking from above those hills and mountains in Kentucky. Have a chair ready for me - I am looking forward to hearing more of your stories. I miss you! I love you!
