Shirley Temple McAllister Harp, 88, of Scottsburg, Indiana, passed away Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, at her home. A native of Spencer County, Kentucky she was the daughter of the late Leonard and Margaret Barnett McAllister.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Joe Cox and Kenneth McAllister, and sister, Loretta Williams.

She was a Washington County, Indiana 4-H leader for many years, and was inducted into the prestigious Mensa Society, an organization for those who score in the top 2 percent of the population on the standardized intelligence/IQ test. At 52, she received a degree in journalism and worked as a reporter at the New Albany Tribune. Shirley was known as a gifted and avid letter writer. She will be remembered for her witty humor, infectious smile and laughter, her ability to speak to and connect with almost anyone, and her resilient outlook on life. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and cooking, and cared for many throughout the years.

Her survivors include two sons, James Stanley Harp and Wilbert Harp, and two daughters, Mellodee Ann Bishop and Donna Michelle Dalton, all of Indiana; her sister, Judy Bowman and her husband, Dennis, of Taylorsville, Kentucky; brothers, Bill McAllister and his wife, Brenda, of Mount Washington, Kentucky, Tony McAllister and his wife, Carol, of Orlinda, Tennessee, and Ricky Cox and his wife, Gwen, of Finchville, Kentucky; grandchildren Jeremiah Nicholson, Andrew Harp, Eric Harp, April Leasure and Nathan Dalton; two great-grandchildren, Silas Mote and Jayden Harp; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life in honor of Shirley on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Taylorsville, 115 W. Main Street, Taylorsville, Kentucky. The celebration will be held in the church’s fellowship hall.

Arrangements have been entrusted to B&G Mortuary Service. Please share a memory.