Shirley Mae Beard became known for her soul food she served up out of Louisville's Smoketown neighborhood. Mae died in January at age 84. Community leaders unveiled an honorary street sign at the ...

She was a mother to the community," said her son, Warren Simpson. "She used food as a vehicle to build that community and to create fellowship." Shirley Mae Beard died at the age of 84.

Shirley Mae Beard spent her 84 years on this planet caring for everyone she ever met. "She always, always pushed people to be bigger and greater than you could imagine," Bellamy said.

Beard, owner and face of Shirley Mae's Café on South Clay Street, died Saturday, Jan. 11 at the age of 84. She spent her 84 years on this planet caring for everyone she ever met.

She was 84. Beard ran Shirley's Mae Café, a Louisville staple for over 30 years due to the fanfare for its fried chicken, hot water cornbread and friendly atmosphere, among other things.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville community came out Friday to remember community activist and prominent business owner Shirley Mae Beard. Beard died earlier this month. She was 84.

Family members said Shirley Mae Beard, owner of Shirley Mae’s Café, passed away on Saturday at the age of 84. Beard served up her brand of southern cuisine on Clay Street for more than 35 years.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Shirley Mae Beard died at the age of 85 in January, but her memory will not soon be forgotten. For decades, Shirley Mae owned and operated Shirley Mae’s Cafe out of a ...

Beard purchased the building in Smoketown in 1988, becoming the first Black owner of the building. Shirley Mae’s Café opened on New Year’s Eve of that year. “Shirley Mae was one of the iconic ...

Funeral plans for Shirley Mae Beard, owner of the beloved soul food restaurant Shirley's Mae Café in Louisville's Smoketown neighborhood who died Saturday, have been announced.

[Shirley Mae was] just a great person and she'll be missed." Described as a "mother to all," a force of nature, Beard was so much more to the community she served, and left an irreplaceable mark.

Shirley Mae’s Way was unveiled at an honorary street name sign for Shirley Mae Beard, owner of Shirley Mae’s Cafe and dedicated community leader. May 10 2025 ...