Shirley White

DE SOTO – Shirley Gay White, 89, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale surrounded by her loving family.

Shirley was born on May 7, 1934 in Elkville to Ross and Phyllis (Ford) Rees. Shirley married the love of her life, Calvin White on September 15, 1951 in Piggott, AR. He preceded her in death on October 24, 2022 having been married for 71 years.

Shirley led a life of goodness, love and compassion. She was a warrior in all she did and strove to exemplify God in all she accomplished. If good deeds are embellishments on a crown, Shirley’s would be the most dazzling, precious treasure. A woman like Shirley Gay White is a rarity and the amount of lives she touched with her kind yet tenacious spirit are innumerable. We couldn't put a number on them if we wanted, she always gave with the stipulation that it's a secret between you and her. She poured into others her whole life without a single implication of personal gain. If Shirley loved you, she loved you with every ounce she had to give. Her legacy is spilled out into the women of our family that strive to be the wife, mother, grandmother and friend that she was with such ease and grace. Shirley’s kindness and care blankets over all the generations she has created; we are who we became because of her love. Shirley Gay undeniably left the world far better off than before.

Shirley is survived her sons, Michael (Wendy) White of Elkville and Larry (Julia) White of DeSoto; daughters, Karen (Bill) Agee of Centralia, Sharon (George) Lee of Carbondale, and Terri (Charlie) McCarthy of DeSoto; 17 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; sister, Arlene (Harold) Wells of Eureka, MO and special sister-in-law, Ruth Bowlby of De Soto.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; great-grandchild Brayden Galloway; sisters, Sarah Palmer and Bonnie (Stanley) Copeland; in-laws, James White, Frank (Carolyn) White, Thelma (Howard) Blumenstock, Sarah Jane and Mary Elaine Stewart; daughter-in-law, Tanda White, and her precious four legged companion, Fez.

Funeral services for Shirley will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, October 23, 2023 at the Murphysboro Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Jim Frye officiating. Burial will follow at DeSoto Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00am until the time of service on Monday at the church.

Memorials may be made in Shirley’s name to Murphysboro Church of the Nazarene and will be accepted at the church.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Shirley visit www.meredithfh.com