Shirley Kyles was an American gospel singer and the first wife of soul and gospel singer Al Green. They married in 1977, had three daughters, and divorced in 1983. Shirley later spoke publicly about the domestic abuse she said she experienced during their marriage. She also studied counseling and used her experience to help other abuse survivors.
Shirley died on July 17, 2023, in Mobile, Alabama. She was 74 years old.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Shirley Cephas Kyles |
| Born | July 28, 1948 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | July 17, 2023 |
| Age at death | 74 |
| Profession | Gospel singer, church worker, counselor |
| Known for | Being Al Green’s first wife |
| Ex-husband | Al Green |
| Married | June 15, 1977 |
| Divorced | February 1983 |
| Children with Al Green | Alva Lei, Rubi Renee, Kora Kishé |
| Education | Trinity International University; University of Memphis |
| Net worth | Not publicly known |
Early Life and Family
Shirley Kyles was born on July 28, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in a Baptist family, and her father was a preacher.
Church and gospel music were important parts of her early life. She became a gospel singer and performed before she met Al Green.
Little reliable information is available about her parents’ names, siblings, or early education.
How Shirley Kyles Met Al Green
Shirley Kyles and Al Green met in person at a Baptist church in Memphis in 1976.
She had already performed as an opening act at two of Green’s concerts, but the two had not personally met. Shirley was mainly interested in gospel music and reportedly did not approve of some of Green’s secular music at the time.
After meeting, Green asked her to join his musical group as a background singer. She also became involved with his Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Memphis.
Reports say Shirley helped with church administration and a daycare center.
Marriage to Al Green
Shirley left Green’s music group in April 1977. About two months later, Green came to her apartment with a diamond ring and proposed.
They married on June 15, 1977, in Memphis.
The wedding was small and private. It reportedly took place in a minister’s home and lasted less than ten minutes.
This was Shirley’s second marriage. She already had children from an earlier marriage, although details about her first husband are not widely available.
Shirley Kyles’ Abuse Claims
Shirley later said that Green became physically abusive soon after their wedding.
She described several incidents during their marriage in court records and later newspaper interviews. She said she was hit on different occasions and suffered injuries.
Green initially denied claims of physical cruelty. However, during a 1982 deposition, he admitted that he had struck Shirley, while saying he had been provoked.
Shirley’s sisters and children from her earlier marriage reportedly supported parts of her account during the divorce case.
Divorce From Al Green
Shirley Kyles first filed for divorce in 1978 but later reconciled with Green.
She filed again in 1981 after another alleged violent incident. She also reportedly made a complaint to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Their divorce was finalized in February 1983.
Reports about the divorce case state that Green agreed to pay $432,800 in alimony and child support.
Shirley and Al Green’s Children
Shirley and Al Green had three daughters together:
- Alva Lei Green
- Rubi Renee Green
- Kora Kishé Green
Alva reportedly became a physician. Rubi and Kora have largely stayed away from public attention.
Shirley also had children from her first marriage.
Why Shirley Spoke Publicly in 1995
Shirley Kyles stayed mostly out of the public eye for more than a decade after her divorce.
In January 1995, she gave detailed interviews about her marriage to the Chicago Tribune and The Washington Post.
She said the O.J. Simpson case and reports about Nicole Brown Simpson influenced her decision to speak about domestic abuse.
Shirley wanted other women to understand that they did not have to stay in abusive relationships for the sake of their children.
She also said she did not want to destroy Green’s reputation. She continued to pray for him and said her main purpose was to explain how she survived her experience.
Education and Work After Divorce
Shirley continued her education after her marriage ended.
She reportedly studied Christian Counseling and Theology at Trinity International University and Public Relations and Communications at the University of Memphis.
She continued singing gospel music and became involved in helping people affected by domestic abuse.
Her faith remained an important part of her life.
Who Is Al Green?
Al Green is an American soul and gospel singer and minister. He became famous for songs including Let’s Stay Together, Tired of Being Alone, and Love and Happiness.
He later became an ordained minister and was closely connected to Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Memphis.
Shirley met him during this religious period of his life.
Shirley Kyles’ Later Life and Death
Shirley lived a private life after her divorce and rarely appeared in the media.
She eventually lived in Mobile, Alabama. She remained connected to her faith, gospel music, and work related to domestic abuse.
Shirley Kyles died in Mobile on July 17, 2023, at the age of 74. She was 11 days away from her 75th birthday.
Her publicly available funeral information did not give a cause of death.
Shirley Kyles’ Net Worth
Shirley Kyles’ personal net worth was never reliably reported. There is no confirmed public figure for her wealth.
Interesting Facts
- She was born in Chicago on July 28, 1948.
- Her father was a Baptist preacher.
- She was a gospel singer.
- She met Al Green in Memphis in 1976.
- Shirley and Green married in 1977 and divorced in 1983.
- They had three daughters together.
- She also had children from an earlier marriage.
- Green admitted under oath that he had struck Shirley.
- She spoke publicly about domestic abuse in 1995.
- She later studied counseling and communications.
- Shirley died in Mobile, Alabama, in 2023 at age 74.
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