Shirley Molden

Shirley Elaine Molden, 82, of Somerset, Kentucky passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026 at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, KY under Hospice care. Shirley was born on February 28,1944 to the late Lloyd Dalton and Bernice Vanhooser Dalton Tarter of Nancy.Shirley is survived by her husband, Vertrees Molden, whom she was married on 11/8/1962 in Nancy, Kentucky. She and Vertrees have four children David (Rhonda) Molden of Lexington, KY; Dale (Kelly) Molden of Colleyville, TX; Marlana Stewart of Somerset, KY; and Bart (Cindy) Molden of Nancy, KY. They have eight grandchildren, Sarah O’Donnell, Mark Molden, Alyssa Molden, Matt Molden, Ryan Molden, Will Molden, Audrey Stewart and Lydia Stewart and seven great-grandchildren. Shirley was a very caring and loving mother, always guiding her children and grandchildren to love the Lord and follow Him in all their decisions. She is also survived by one half-sister, Kaye (Arthur) Hudson of Russell Springs and two half-brothers Butch (Pam) Dalton and Rudy Dean (Charlene) Dalton of Ohio as well as many extended family members.

Shirley was the former owner and operator of Shirley’s Cakes. She spent many years focused on creating personalized birthday cakes as well as stunning wedding and anniversary cakes for couples to enjoy on their special day. She also enjoyed preparing food for groups of various sizes whether it was through her cake/catering business, preparing Wednesday night meals at church, or feeding various friends of her children that were always gathering at the house around mealtimes.

She was an active member and officer in various organizations across her life such as Lake Cumberland Area Homemakers, Bluegrass Cake Decorators, Somerset Christian Woman’s Club and The Gideons Auxiliary. She also taught cake decorating and candy making classes for several years in Somerset and the surrounding counties. Additionally, she spent many years teaching children and youth at church, including being the Bible Drill leader for many years at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. She was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church in Somerset. Most recently she enjoyed working on crossword puzzles, listening to music and reading, often completing over 100 books per year in addition to reading her Bible through each year on multiple occasions.

Visitation will held be on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Grace Baptist Church beginning at 3:00 pm followed by a funeral service at 7:00 PM with Dr. Todd Meadows officiating. An additional visitation will be held at Grace Baptist Church on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM followed by procession and burial at Lakeside Memorial Gardens in Somerset.