Shirley Malm Mitchell

Shirley was born on May 26, 1932 in Flint Michigan to Lonnie and Laurel Burton. She was the middle of three children, the only girl in between two brothers, Ronald and Jerry. Almost from the time she could walk she has been a dog lover. She finally convinced her parents to let her have a dog. They agreed and when she was nine she was given a dog by her grandfather, who was always known as Mr. Burton. She named her dog Betty.

When Shirley was 11 she and her family moved from Michigan to Los Angeles California leaving Michigan on July 8, 1943 and arriving in Los Angeles on July 23, 1943. She has fond memories of the trip out to California as her and her brothers thought of it as a long vacation and her mother, Laurel, kept a very detailed journal of the trip. Shirley could also vividly recall specific things about that trip to California.

Once settled in California Shirley went to elementary school, junior high school and attended Hamilton High School. Shirley met Keith Malm when she was living in southern California and they were married in November of 1948. They are parents of five children, Scott Malm, Gregg Malm, Sheryl Engstrom, Gayle Selman and Shannon Creegan.

They lived in southern California for a few years and then in 1952 Shirley and Keith moved to Three Rivers California and owned and operated a gas station. After living in Three Rivers for a couple of years they sold the gas station and moved to Visalia where she lived the rest of her life.

Shirley was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held various callings. She worked a variety of office administrative jobs throughout her life. She also raised calves for a short time when they lived out in the country on two acres. She was the happiest when she was home working in her yard, whether it was planting a vegetable garden or growing flowers. She enjoyed reading, the outdoors, being around her children and grandchildren and her dogs.

Shirley is survived by her five children, Scott (Kay), Gregg (Elaine), Sheryl, Gayle (Paul) and Shannon. She also leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.