STOVALL

Shirley Nell Stovall, age 78, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Feb. 7. A memorial service will be at Glidden Baptist Church, 209 8th Street in Glidden at 11 a.m. Feb. 15.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Shirley’s honor to Glidden Baptist Church.

Shirley was born June 16, 1941 to Morris and Francine Woodson in Dallas. They soon moved to Sulphur Springs, where she attended a one-room schoolhouse up to high school age. In her junior year at Sulphur Springs High School, she was the starting forward for the girls Varsity basketball team.

She married Herbert Cowan, and they had three children while they were performing with the last known traveling medicine show in Texas. They were joined by various musicians, including Billy Gibbons (now ZZ Top), who had recently won a local talent contest and was hired on as their rhythm guitar player for some time.

When her marriage ended soon after that, she went on to complete Executive Business School and landed various jobs as an executive secretary with companies in Dallas where she met Ramon Stovall. During their 34 years of marriage, she enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, and bowling.

When her husband passed, she relocated to Bowie, where she and her oldest daughter started up a successful resale shop, Spot The Dot. As a thriving business in the community, many people were touched by her smiling face, warm heart and gentle spirit. Even though her life was full, she suffered many major illnesses including seven various cancer diagnosis. After many years in Bowie, she and her daughter, now widowed, moved to Columbus to be near her other children as her illnesses were progressing. Surprising her doctors time after time, she lost this last battle, but she has won the war and has gone home to be with her Sweet Jesus.

Shirley is now walking in Heaven with those who paved the way. They include her husband Ramon and her parents.

She leaves behind two sisters, Dorothy Ham-bright and husband George of Terrell, and Carolyn Coker of Weatherford. She was cherished by and will be truly missed by her three children: Terry Stovall of Columbus, Cheryl Reed and husband Randy of Friendswood and Carl Stovall and wife Lupe of Clear Springs. Her beloved grandchildren include: Christina Norris and husband Mark, Garrick Ayers and wife Lana, Jerrod Ayers, Gina Neely and husband Johnny, Donna Stamper and husband Chad, Jake Reed and wife Lauren, April Hays and husband Adam, David Reed and wife Meagan, Joseph Reed, and Palmer Pruitt. Her Great-grandchildren include: James, Jessie, Jacob, Joe, Kelsey, Suezann, Charles, Donnell, Jonathan, Daniel, Daisey, Annabelle, Daphney, and Mavric. Shirley’s thumbprint continues to shine through her 18 great-great-grandchildren.

Shirley was a very humble, private, soft-spoken woman, always a giver and ensured no one ever felt left out. Although a woman of few words, her life-long character of honesty, patience, loyalty, optimism, integrity and self-control will forever leave her footprint on the hearts of all who knew her.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.