Shirley Cotton Tapp, 67, of Madisonville, KY passed away on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Owensboro Health in Owensboro, KY.

She was born on January 29, 1959, in Madisonville, KY, to the late Ruth Massey Cotton and Ira Kittinger. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and fishing. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Shirley was of the Christian faith.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of forty-eight years, Tommy Jay Tapp; and her brothers, Charles Jennings and Henry Jennings.

Her survivors include her daughters, Patricia (Anthony) Bearden and Jennifer Lee Neal, both of Madisonville; brother, Iria Kittinger of Madisonville; grandchildren, Cayla (Aiden) Reece, Austin Tapp, Mitchal Neal, Raven Neal, Connor Bearden, and Abbie Bearden; great-grandsons, Liam Reece and Brayden Neal; great-granddaughters, Amelia Bearden and Blakely Ruckert; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Easley officiating. Burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour on Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Connor Bearden, Dustin Kittinger, Michael Jennings, Justin Kinkade, Brad Neal, and Mitchal Neal.