Dorothy Lea Shirey

She was born to Arthur and Bernie Thomason on August 22, 1931 in Hampton, Arkansas. Dorothy was the last surviving sibling of the 10 children. Her siblings, Boyce, Travis, Jack, Cliff, JC, Harold, Ionie, Izola, and Ethel, preceded her in death and are surely awaiting her arrival in Heaven, ready to catch up on all the family news.  She was also predeceased by AJ Shirey, her husband of 64 years, in 2013 and one daughter, Jan Shirey (Brewer) Woods, who passed in 2023. We know that Dorothy is at peace now that she is reunited with so much of her beloved family. 

Dorothy, raised on a farm, was proud of her family and where she came from. She was a spirited and humorous storyteller, and she would often regale her children and grandchildren with tales of picking cotton and sibling squabbles from her childhood. Her stories were often interrupted by her own laughter at the memory–regardless of how often she had recounted it. If you knew Dorothy for more than a few minutes, you were likely treated to such a tale.

Throughout her life, Dorothy found great joy in fishing and gardening. She could catch a catfish with the best of them and when you visited you were sure to enjoy a meal of fried catfish. In later years she enjoyed square dancing and traveling with AJ, her constant companion through life.

Dorothy was a long-time and devoted member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado, where she relished her role as a Sunday School teacher and active congregant. She never missed a Sunday! She loved God, and she loved to remind others that He loved them, as well.

As a good southern lady, Dorothy put a lot of pride in her appearance and was never seen without her make-up and her hair done. As a go-getter, she put her passion for make-up to use by starting a successful Avon business–her charisma and beauty a winning combination for such a job.  

But her love in life was young children, her own and others’, and so, after having four children, she went to college and graduated with a BS in Education and a minor in Library Science from Southern State College in 1969.  She later received her Master’s degree from the University of Arkansas in 1977–all while still raising kids at home. Dorothy was nothing if not determined. 

She was a natural teacher and leader. Dorothy worked in the El Dorado School system for 25 years, where she was the Principal at Murmil Heights Elementary School the last 15 years and Principal of the Year for the district in 1989. She did not limit her teaching to the classroom but took every opportunity she could to teach - even sending her grandchildren math problems by mail. In her golden years, it was not uncommon for people to approach Dorothy–decades after she taught them as children–to greet and thank Mrs. Shirey. 

She is survived by two sons, Thomason Jay Shirey (Robin) of Axle, TX and Phillip Gregory Shirey (Lisa Tessier) of Nixa, MO; one son-in-law, Bryan Woods of Salado, TX; and one daughter, Tonya Lynne Lambert (Robert) of Pagosa Springs, CO.

Dot, as her grandchildren called her, was immensely proud of her 15 grandchildren: Brooke MacKay (Brent) of Mission Viejo, CA; Megan Ord (Peter) of San Clements, CA; Gabe Shirey (Mindi) of Las Vegas,

NV; Dylan Shirey (Erin) of Harvest, AL; Emma Shirey of NY, NY; Jackson Shirey of Platte City, MO; Isabel Shirey of St. Louis, MO; Ryan Brewer (Lindsey) of San Antonio, TX; Kyle Brewer (Randi) of Austin, TX; Paul Brewer of Houston, TX; Amy Lambert Robertson (Josh) of Alamosa, CO; Emily Lambert Moon (Evan) of Colorado Springs, CO; William Lambert (Wendy) of Rochester, MN; Joseph Lambert of Colorado Springs, CO and Eleanor Lambert of Colorado Springs, CO. 

She leaves behind two sisters-in-law: Alene (Shirey) Melton of Shreveport, LA and Nello Thomason of Hot Springs, AR and two brothers-in-law: Charles Shirey (Susan) of Greenbrier, AR and Bob Sherman of El Dorado, AR.

Finally, she is survived by her 21 beloved great grandchildren and the many nieces and nephews whom she cherished, helped raise, and taught with characteristic devotion!

She was a force of nature. She will be missed.

Visitation will be held from 5pm-7pm on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 at Young’s Funeral Home in El Dorado, Arkansas.

Services will be held on Friday, January 10 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado with burial at Means Cemetery in Hampton following.

Donations can be made in Dorothy’s name to organizations addressing Alzheimer’s or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.