Shirley Kyles was an American woman remembered for her strength, faith, and resilience, known both as the former wife of soul legend Al Green and for her own life of service. Born on July 28, 1948, in Oregon and raised in Chicago, she served as a military veteran, sang as a background singer, and became a devoted mother to three daughters. After her marriage to Al Green ended in 1983, she turned her struggles into purpose by advocating for women facing domestic abuse. She passed away on July 17, 2023, at the age of seventy-four, leaving behind a legacy of courage, love, and inspiration.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shirley Anne Watts Kyles Green |
| Date of Birth | July 28, 1948 |
| Place of Birth | Oregon, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Religion | Christian |
| Profession | Military Veteran (Colonel), Background Singer, Advocate, Counselor |
| Famous For | Being the former wife of soul singer Al Green |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Husband | Al Green (m. 1977 – div. 1983) |
| Children | Alva Green, Rubi Green, Cora Green |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Date of Death | July 17, 2023 (aged 74) |
Early Life and Background
Shirley’s early life was shaped by a household built on Christian values and community service, as she was the daughter of Larry Samuel Focht, a Baptist preacher, and Astrid Eugenia Eleanora Focht, who raised her with care and discipline. Growing up in Chicago after being born in Oregon, Shirley developed a strong sense of spirituality and personal strength that would guide her throughout her life. She was instilled with lessons of perseverance, hard work, and loyalty, which became essential when facing both opportunities and difficulties in her later years. Her upbringing provided her with the foundation that enabled her to face challenges with faith, confidence, and courage.
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Age of Shirley Kyles
Shirley Kyles was born on July 28, 1948, in Oregon, USA, and she lived a long and meaningful life shaped by faith, music, family, and service. She passed away on July 17, 2023, just a few days before her seventy-fifth birthday, at the age of seventy-four. Her age reflects not only the years she lived but also the experiences she carried, from her childhood in Chicago to her career as a military officer, her time as a singer, her role as a mother, and her later years spent in advocacy and community work.
Shirley Kyles’ Physical Appearance
Shirley Kyles was known for carrying herself with grace and dignity, which reflected both her strong personality and her faith. While exact details such as her height and weight were never publicly shared, she was often described as a warm and elegant woman whose presence stood out in church gatherings and public events. Her style was modest yet confident, and she always appeared composed, which matched the inner strength she showed throughout her life.
Career and Achievements
Shirley Kyles built a career that showed her strength, talent, and dedication in different areas of life. She proudly served in the military and reached the respected rank of Colonel, which proved her leadership and commitment to service. Alongside this, she was also gifted in music and performed as a background singer with Al Green’s group, often joining him in church and gospel events.
After her marriage ended, Shirley focused on faith and education, studying Christian counseling and theology so she could guide and support others, especially women facing difficulties in their lives. Her career was not just about jobs but about service, as she gave her time to the military, to music, and later to community work and advocacy.
Meeting and Marriage with Al Green
Shirley Kyles first met Al Green in 1976 at a Baptist church in Memphis, Tennessee, where she was performing as a background singer. Their shared love for gospel music and faith quickly brought them closer, and before long, they developed a strong connection. In 1977, Shirley and Al married, beginning what many thought would be a lasting and supportive union. However, behind the scenes, their relationship faced many difficulties, including the pressures of Al Green’s rising fame, reports of infidelity, and incidents of domestic abuse.
Despite Shirley’s efforts to keep the marriage together for the sake of their family, the challenges became too heavy, and by 1983, she made the brave decision to divorce him. This chapter of her life, while painful, showed her courage and later became the reason she spoke out in support of women experiencing similar struggles.
Who Is Al Green?
Al Green, born Albert Leornes Greene on April 13, 1946, in Forrest City, Arkansas, is one of the most famous soul singers in the world. He became a music legend in the 1970s with classic songs like “Let’s Stay Together,” “Love and Happiness,” and “Tired of Being Alone.” His smooth voice, emotional style, and ability to mix gospel with soul made him one of the most loved artists of his time.
Over the years, Al Green won many awards, including Grammy Awards, and he was also honored by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Later in his life, he turned more toward gospel music, using his talent to sing about faith and spirituality. Even today, Al Green is remembered not only for his powerful voice and timeless music but also for the way he influenced soul, R&B, and gospel for generations.
Children of Shirley Kyles
Alva Green
Alva Green, the eldest daughter of Shirley Kyles and Al Green, chose a path in medicine and built a successful career as a doctor. She works at UT Southwestern Medical Center and is well respected for her knowledge and dedication in the medical field. Alva is known for her professionalism, certifications in different medical areas, and her commitment to community health. She also uses social media, such as Twitter, to share thoughts on important medical issues and community topics, showing that she not only cares for patients but also about the wider society.
Rubi Green
Rubi Green, the second daughter, has lived a more private life compared to her sister Alva. While she has not been in the public eye much, Rubi is known to be active on social media platforms where she shares updates about her personal life and interests. She has not publicly pursued a career that is widely known, but her presence online shows a woman who values her personal space and chooses to live away from the spotlight that often followed her parents.
Cora Green
Cora Green, the youngest of Shirley’s daughters, has focused her time on education, especially in the area of retail management. She is a student at the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management, where she is learning about customer service, store operations, and marketing strategies. Cora has kept a very low public profile and is not very active on social media, which makes her life more private compared to her sisters. Her focus on studies shows her dedication to building a career in business and management, and she carries forward the values of education and perseverance taught by her mother.
Life Challenges and Success
Shirley Kyles faced many challenges in her life, especially during her marriage to Al Green, where she went through years of struggles that included reports of abuse and emotional pain. Despite these hardships, she showed great strength by making the brave choice to end the marriage in 1983 and focus on creating a safer and healthier life for herself and her daughters. Instead of letting her struggles define her, Shirley turned them into a source of strength and became an advocate for women facing domestic abuse, using her own story to give courage to others. Her greatest triumphs came from her ability to rise above difficulties, raise three strong daughters, and dedicate her later years to helping people through community service, counseling, and faith.
Shirley Kyles After Divorce
When Shirley Kyles ended her marriage to Al Green in 1983, she started a new chapter in her life focused on healing, faith, and helping others. She dedicated herself to raising her three daughters with love and guidance while also continuing her personal growth through studies in Christian counseling and theology. Her own struggles gave her the strength to become an advocate for women facing domestic abuse, and she often shared her story to encourage others to choose safety and self-respect. Beyond advocacy, Shirley remained active in her community and church, taking part in outreach work and finding peace in simple activities like gardening and reading, which kept her grounded and close to her faith.
The passing of Shirley Kyles
Shirley Kyles passed away on July 17, 2023, at the age of seventy-four, only eleven days before her seventy-fifth birthday. Her death was a sad moment for her family and community, as she had lived a life full of faith, service, and strength. She was remembered not just as the former wife of Al Green but as a devoted mother, a military veteran, a singer, and an advocate who supported many people through her counseling and community work. Her passing left a lasting memory of courage, love, and resilience that continues to inspire those who knew her story.
Legacy of Shirley Kyles
The legacy of Shirley Kyles is that of a strong, faithful woman who lived with courage and determination. She will always be remembered as more than just the former wife of Al Green; she was a military veteran who reached the rank of Colonel, a singer who shared her voice in church and music groups, a counselor who helped others overcome struggles, and a loving mother who raised three daughters to follow their own dreams. Her life is a reminder that even in the face of challenges, it is possible to stand tall, to choose faith and resilience, and to turn pain into purpose. That is why Shirley Kyles remains an inspiring figure whose story continues to touch hearts even after her passing.
Shirley Kyles’ Net Worth
Unlike her ex-husband, who accumulated significant wealth through his music career with an estimated net worth of around $25 million, Shirley chose to keep her financial details private, and her net worth was never publicly disclosed. Her life was not defined by money but by the impact she had on others, from her service in the military to her work in music, counseling, and community advocacy. For Shirley, value was measured not in financial terms but in her contributions to her children, her faith, and the countless individuals who found strength and hope through her story.
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Conclusion
Shirley Kyles was a woman of faith, courage, and determination whose life went far beyond being known as the ex-wife of Al Green. She served her country as a military veteran, shared her love for music as a background singer, raised three daughters with strength and care, and later became a voice for women facing domestic abuse. Though her journey had many struggles, she turned them into lessons of hope and service, showing others the importance of resilience and self-worth. Her passing in 2023 marked the end of a remarkable life, but her legacy of love, faith, and perseverance continues to inspire many today.
FAQs About Shirley Kyles
1. Who was Shirley Kyles?
Shirley Kyles was an American woman best known as the former wife of soul singer Al Green. She was also a military veteran, background singer, counselor, and advocate who dedicated her life to service, family, and community.
2. When was Shirley Kyles born?
Shirley Kyles was born on July 28, 1948, in Oregon, USA, and she later grew up in Chicago in a Christian family.
3. When did Shirley Kyles pass away?
She passed away on July 17, 2023, at the age of seventy-four, just days before her seventy-fifth birthday.
4. How was Shirley Kyles connected to Al Green?
Shirley Kyles met Al Green in 1976 at a Baptist church in Memphis, married him in 1977, and divorced him in 1983 after years of personal struggles.
5. Did Shirley Kyles have children?
Yes, Shirley Kyles had three daughters with Al Green: Alva, who became a doctor, Rubi, who lives a private life, and Cora, who studied retail management.
6. What did Shirley Kyles do after her divorce?
After her divorce, Shirley studied Christian counseling and theology, became an advocate for women facing domestic abuse, and worked actively in her community and church.
7. What is Shirley Kyles’ legacy?
Her legacy is remembered through her strength as a mother, her military service, her advocacy for abuse victims, and the inspiration she gave to others through her story of resilience and faith.
