Shirley Ann Morrison

CARBONDALE - Shirley Ann Morrison, 87, passed away peacefully at home on February 20, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 6, 1935 to James Henry and Mary Alice Hawkins in Carbondale, Il.

Shirley Morrison is survived by daughters: Marcy Part and Mary Vincent, both of Carbondale, Il. Son: Vernon (Peggy) Morrison of Zwolle, La. Sister: Betty (Bob) Martin of Overland Park, Ks. Grandchildren: Jesse (Allyssa) Part of Cambria, Il, Justin (Shaina) Part of Carbondale, Il, Jamie (Channing) Peters of Worden, Il, Liana Aucoin of Slidell, La, Veronica Walker of Pearl River, La, Marcella Sevy (Andrew Jones) of Carbondale, Il, Jessica Morrison (Nick Love) of Carbondale, Il, Tristen Morrison of Zwolle, La. Great-Grandchildren: Oliver James Part, Adalynn Marie Part, Charlotte Jean “Charlie” Part, Connor David Part and Audrey Grace Part.

Shirley Morrison was preceded in death by: Parents: James Henry and Mary Alice Hawkins Brother: James Henry (Adella) Hawkins, Sisters: Virginia (John) McGregor, Frances Goldman, Ex-husband: Lynn A. Morrison, Partner: Melvin J. Woods, Sons: Jeffrey Lynn “Jeffro” Morrison, James Gregory Morrison, Son-In-Law: Stafford J. Part, Grandsons: Jason Stafford Part, Vernon Lynn Morrison, Great- Grandson: Spencer Reid Part.

Many stories and fond memories of her childhood growing up on the farm in rural Carbondale were shared with family over her lifetime. She had beautiful memories of her close-knit family and adored her brother and sisters. She had several cousins but especially loved Donna Biggs and Effie Brimmer. We cherish those stories to this day and will surely repeat them to our children.

Shirley grew up in Carbondale and eventually married Lynn A. Morrison, with whom she bore five children. The family spent the majority of their childhood in Carbondale. Shirley worked for SIU-C for many years in the University Graphics and Publications office.

When she and Lynn divorced, Shirley bravely took her children and moved to Slidell, La. Our family grew to love Louisiana. Shirley worked for D H Holmes department store in New Orleans, La, as an Executive Secretary in the 1980’s until it was sold to Dillard’s. She traveled to the city each weekday for many years and enjoyed the cuisine and culture that only New Orleans provides. She worked with two of her very best lifelong friends, Nancy Woods Young and Thomasina Landry.

Shirley met Melvin J. Woods in our neighborhood and shared a relationship with him and his family for many years.

During that time, we gained a beautiful, big extended family when daughter Marcy married Stafford Part. The Part Family is as close to us as any family can be. Each and every Part family member was dear to Shirley.

In the late 1980’s, Shirley came back to Carbondale, Il to care for her aging Mother. She worked for Dr. Jack Hilton in a medical oncology clinic. Several of the patients became dear friends and she cared deeply for them and their families. She was a member of the Boskydell Baptist Church and took care of custodial duties of the church for a time.

Shirley enjoyed gardening, loved beautiful flowers, jewelry, crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She was truly an expert at crossword puzzles and kept several journals with hard-to-find clues. Shirley had an amazingly extensive vocabulary. She was an avid reader and taught all of us to love and appreciate books. One of her favorite outings was to the Carbondale Public Library.

Upon her retirement, Shirley enjoyed being home. She always loved spending time with her beloved Grandchildren. They played board games, read books, played cards and learned a great deal about life and love from her. 

Shirley was fun and had a great sense of humor. She would have done anything for the family. She had a good life and was deeply loved. We were blessed to have her in our lives as long as we did. Shirley loved our little dog, Charlie and our cats, Yuni, Jasper and Thomas. Their antics kept her entertained!

With a diagnosis of cancer followed by a stroke, sadly she suffered aphasia and other health problems in the last year. We all honored and took care of her as long as she lived. Residential Hospice was a great help and she made friends with her incredible caregivers. The family wishes to thank Penny Pullen (deceased), Paulette Crosson, Debbie Coyle, Alyssa Jarvis, Logan Brown, Elizabeth Garrett and Preston Hall. You are amazing people! We will forever be grateful for your help and loving care.

Thank you to Dana Dailey for taking care of hairdressing needs in your loving way.

Thank you to Noralee Ellis for your love and our floral needs.

Thank you to special friends Ebbie Miller, Betty Ruth Runion and Dolores Cavaness for your kindness and love.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to our beloved Boskydell Baptist Church members and Retired Pastor, Stephen Combs. Your support and love has been a source of strength that is immeasurable.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials to be made to Boskydell Baptist Church.

Graveside services for Shirley will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at Boskydell Cemetery in Carbondale with Rev. Dr. K. Stephen Combs officiating.  Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Shirley, visit www.meredithfh.com

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord,

“Turn to Me with all your heart, With

fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

So rend your heart, and not your garments;

Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious

and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness;

And he relents from doing harm.”

Joel 2:12-13 NKJV

We can truly say, “She Lived a Great Story!”