Shirley Mae Stevens, 88, of Flora, IL, formally of Johnsonville, IL. passed away at Clay County Hospital on Friday, October 13, 2023. Shirley (lovingly known as “MeMe”) was born July 10, 1935, in Cisne, IL, to Pearl and Lillie (Brown) Leathers. She married George Lee Stevens at Rock Branch Church in Cisne, IL, on June 1, 1952. He proceeded her in death on March 11, 2003, after an extended illness.
Shirley worked as a secretary for Berry Grade School and Johnsonville Grade School. She later worked for Wayne County Bank, now People’s National Bank, as a financial investor. She was a member of Bailey General Baptist Church and a proud Christian. Once married, Shirley helped on the family farm driving a tractor while pulling the disc in front of the planter. She also kept George’s oil field financial records. She was a fantastic cook. In 2003, she started volunteering in the kitchen for Union Grove Youth Camp. Generally, camp week was held during her birthday, and she loved the camp children singing “Happy Birthday” to her each year. She also enjoyed crocheting and taking care of her family. Shirley was always just a phone call away when her family or friends needed help. The thing she enjoyed most was spending time with her grandkids and spoiling them as much as she could. According to her family, her most admirable accomplishment in life was taking care of George during his extended illness, for almost 10 years, allowing him to stay in his home. She was a selfless caregiver.
Shirley is survived by her two daughters, Debra (Rodney) Pengelley of The Villages, FL, and Sandra (Bill) Gross of Louisville, IL; four grandchildren Heath (Megan) Pittman, Jocelyn Scoles, Andrea (Greg) Reinfeldt, and Courtney Pengelley; six great-grandchildren Elisha “Eli” Scoles, Hayden Pittman, Paige Pittman, Cordelia Reinfeldt, Cole Reinfeldt and Callum Reinfeldt. Also surviving is a sister, Jeanne Leathers; sisters-in-law Lorraine Leathers and Pat Fish; brother-in-law Dee Thompson.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, four sisters Bonita, Loreta, Betty and Donna; four brothers Robert, Bill, Jerry and Jack.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 5pm-7pm at Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 20, 2023, at 11am at Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL. Burial will follow at Round Prairie Cemetery in Johnsonville, IL. Memorials will be accepted at the funeral home and may be made to the Union Grove Youth Camp Kitchen Fund. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com
Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL.
