News Summary
The Jacksonville community mourns the passing of Shirley Jean Karst, a dedicated educator and volunteer, who impacted many lives through her commitment to education and community service. Shirley, who passed away at 84, was known for her extensive volunteer work, particularly with youth organizations like the PTA and Girl Scouts. A visitation and celebration of her life will be held soon, where family and friends will gather to remember her generous spirit and unwavering dedication to teaching and community engagement.
Jacksonville, Florida – The Jacksonville community is mourning the loss of Shirley Jean Karst, a beloved educator and volunteer who passed away at the age of 84 on June 12, 2025, at McGraw Community Hospice surrounded by family.
Shirley was born on August 12, 1940, to Troy and Vivian Waites in Jacksonville, where she was raised in a self-sufficient family that crafted their daily needs. Her early years were marked by a strong connection to community and family values, which would greatly influence her life.
In her youth, Shirley attended Hutto Chapel United Methodist Church, where she met her future husband, William “Bill” Archie Karst. The couple married in 1960 and shared over five decades together until Bill’s passing. Shirley dedicated much of her life to education, first as an elementary school teacher after attending Florida State University when the institution was all-girls. After beginning a family, she took time off for motherhood but remained actively engaged in community service.
Throughout her life, Shirley volunteered extensively, holding positions in various organizations such as the state-level Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), the Department of Prevention of Blindness, and the Girl Scouts. Her passion for supporting youth was evident in her years of involvement with the West Nassau Band Boosters.
Upon returning to the workforce, Shirley held a position as the Special Events Coordinator at Tara Lanes Bowling Center and worked as a Marketing Researcher for Irwin Industries. Outside her professional endeavors, she enjoyed hobbies such as sewing, crafting, gardening, and sharing her culinary skills with friends and family. Most cherished were her moments spent with her grandchildren and her beloved dog, Lady Penelope “Penny”.
Shirley is survived by her two daughters, Leanne Ludvigsen and Victoria Karst, five granddaughters—Lindsey Hardy, Heather McBee, Shelby Terrell, Delaney Ludvigsen, and Sydney Ludvigsen—along with great-grandsons Blake and Benjamin McBee, and Liam and Ethan Hardy. She is also survived by her siblings: Nancy Boles, Susan Holton, Charron Stokes, John Karst, Thomas Karst, and Gene Waites, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation is scheduled for June 23, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park & Funeral Home in Jacksonville. A celebration of life will follow on June 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Callahan Methodist Church in Callahan, Florida, with a committal service at the Jacksonville National Cemetery later that day.
Shirley Jean Karst leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and commitment to education that will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her passing marks a substantial loss for her family, friends, and the many communities she impacted throughout her lifetime.
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Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: Shirley Jean Karst Obituary
- Wikipedia: Education in the United States
- Dignity Memorial: Visitations and Memorial Services
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volunteer
- Google Search: Community Service Impact
