Shirley Jean Blair

Shirley J. Blair, 79, of Overland Park, KS passed away December 19, 2015 with her daughters (and her purse) by her side. A true Southern girl, Shirley was born June 23, 1936 to Sidney Grady King and Dorothy Hawkins King in Winona, MS. Shirley spent her early childhood in Kosciusko, MS, and later lived in Pascagoula, MS where she worked at her family’s grocery store from the butcher counter to the soda fountain and everything in between. She attended Pascagoula High School where she played center on the girls’ basketball team and was head cheerleader her senior year. After graduation, she was re-introduced to Earl Blair, also of Pascagoula. After a courtship that included evening dances at the beach pavilion, they married in 1956, and later had two daughters, Mitzi (the hard one) and Abby (the easy one). After many moves with Earl’s job, the Blairs finally settled in Overland Park, KS in 1976. Shirley was a consummate wife, homemaker, and mother, always putting her care for others ahead of her own. She was a great cook and enjoyed passing down cooking traditions. She made the best gumbo every Christmas Eve. Shirley had a wicked sense of humor and could tell a great story peppered with occasional profanity that sounded cute because of the accent she never lost. She loved being Mimi to her four granddaughters and enjoyed nothing more than having her family gathered together for lots of laughter. After Earl’s retirement in 1990, they enjoyed lots of fishing and travel until Earl’s passing on Christmas Day in 2004. Shirley then spent years attending American Legion dances where she gained many dear friends and impressed them with her snazzy outfits and dance moves. Even in her final year in assisted living, Shirley had a powerful impact on care providers who enjoyed her sharp wit and big heart. She really had no idea how loved she was by all those she touched. Our family is so grateful for her amazing neighbors who watched over her and helped her while she was at home, and for her assisted living care providers, truly wonderful people who treated her like family. We owe a special thanks to her awesome and committed Gentiva Hospice team who supported all of us for nearly a year, and for the staff at Prairie Elder Homes who provided her the peace, love and comfort she needed in her final days. We can’t say enough good things about her care.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl; her brothers, James Sidney King and Ralph P. King, and a beloved nephew, Jason King, all of Ocean Springs, MS. Shirley is survived by daughters Mitzi (Dennis) Riffer, of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Abby (David) Beckloff, of Leawood, KS; granddaughters Cassie (Curt) Thompson, Jenna Riffer, Paige Sims, and Callie Sims; great granddaughters, Stella and Sophia Thompson; and many nieces and nephews who loved their Aunt Shirley Jean.

Honoring her wishes, instead of a formal service, Shirley wants friends and family to celebrate by gathering every JCPenney coupon they have and getting the deal of a lifetime, going out dancing, or making a contribution to the charity of their choice. A party with great music and dancing will be held in Kansas City in the near future. Family plans a private memorial service in Biloxi in the spring.