November 6, 1943 – March 10, 2024
Shirley Jean Perry McGraw went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Shirley was born on November 6, 1943, to Thurston and Julia Perry in Salesville, AR and later their family moved to Mountain Home, AR where she grew up.
She loved telling the kids the story about working at the Tasty Freeze and how she strived to make the perfect swirl at the top of the cone.
It was also in Mountain Home that she met and married her forever love of 60 years, Dale. Shirley and Dale moved to Texas to start their family and soon had a son , Perry. A few years later their daughter Brenda was born.
Shirley spent many years running from field to field watching her children play sports and her husband coach. Through those sports teams we made many close friends that we considered part of the family.
As her own children grew up, Shirley began working for the Baptist and Methodist Churches as a Mother’s Day Out Teacher. When her grandchildren were born, she took them to work with her. Making a child felt loved and making them smile seemed to be her goal.
Holidays and birthdays always found Shirley in the kitchen, making huge meals, all the way down to desserts. Many people would say her pumpkin bread and banana bread could win awards.
Shirley always made sure that memories were photographed no matter how much the men frowned and grumbled about having their picture taken. Shirley was very talented. She taught herself to play the piano and was the pianist at her church as a young girl. Later in life her favorite art was crochet. Many of you probably have one of Shirley’s name doilies, an afghan, a baby blanket and booties, or bead socks. Many Christmas decorations were given as gifts of crochet angels, bells, satin balls, and snowflakes. There were hundreds of items made by her hands. Treasures we will all keep close to our hears. Every item was made as perfect as possible, and every stich filled with love.
It was important to Shirley that everyone knew they were loved. Every card or lunchbox note was signed “Love you, always”. Shirley’s light and love will shine through all of us. In our kindness, art, and love for one another. We can be certain that when she greets us all at Heaven’s gate, we will have a snack and a new blanket waiting for us and her open arms to welcome us.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Thursten and Julia Perry, her brother, Harold Dean Perry as well as her son, Perry McGraw.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dale McGraw, her sister, Helen McCumber, and her daughter, Brenda Deschner McGraw. Shirley had 4 amazing grandchildren, Bo McGraw, Katie Cornelison, Kourtney Taylor, and Ginger Reeves. Great grandchildren, Kaydence, Clark, Kaiser, Harlan, and Bennie. Her extended family included many aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives.
The funeral service will be on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 10:00A.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 North Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Texas 77546. (281) 992-7200. The burial will follow at South Park Cemetery in Pearland, Texas.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com
