Shirley Ann Lovelady

Shirley Ann Lovelady passed away on Monday, October 21st, 2024, in the presence of her loving family. Shirley Moore was born in Douglas, Arizona, on March 9th, 1933. She was the 4th of 6 children born to John Raymond and Bertha Lorraine Moore. Shirley was very close with her three sisters, Bertha, Marylin, and Barbara, until their deaths.

Shirley learned a valuable lesson at a very early age when she took a penny from her mother’s purse, went outside, and dropped it in the dirt to claim she found it. After being found out and disciplined from her father, she never lied or stole from her mother’s purse again. Her mother and father referred to her as a “Tom Boy” because she loved playing in the dirt, playing around old tires, and climbing trees. One of Shirley’s favorite memories was the ending of the war (World War II), when the shops in town closed and people drove up and down the streets honking their horns. She also remembered the invention of dial telephones and television.

Shirley graduated from high school in May 1950. She played Daisy Mae during the “Dogpatch” days at school, lettered in cheerleading her senior year, and was president of the Tri-Hi-Y club. She completed one year of college at Arizona State University in 1951. She enjoyed listening to music by Frank Sinatra, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Teresa Brewer. Her favorite dances were square dancing, the jitterbug, and boogie-woogie.

Shirley married John Dale Lovelady on May 24th, 1952. They had attended the same school since kindergarten but didn’t start “going steady” until her junior year. Shirley and John had two children, Cindy (1953) and Craig (1956). Shirley remembered what an awesome responsibility they had to raise children according to God’s word. The most devastating event to happen to them was the loss of their son Craig on January 7th, 1986. She often stated that if it hadn’t been for her faith in God and the assurance of Craig’s faith in the Lord, she would not have made it. One of her favorite phrases was, “When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”

If you met Shirley, it wouldn’t take long to see how she loved the Lord. She obeyed the gospel in 1952, and served as an elder’s wife for many years. Her servant heart allowed her to care for many people, including her dear aunt Laura, several members of the church, and nearby neighbors. She kept her bible next to her chair in the living room and read it daily. It was only fitting that her last few hours included praying with her family.

She lost the love of her life, Dale, on December 7th, 2008, and spent her last 16 years as a widow living by herself, with the exception of Karissa Ramirez who stayed with her at night for the last 19 months. Shirley and Dale lived in the same house in Glendale, Arizona, for 47 ½ years before moving to Colorado Springs in 2007, because of Dale’s failing health. One of her only regrets in life was not living closer to her beloved grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Cindy (Lovelady) Grush and daughter-in-law Karla (Lovelady) Mann. Her grandchildren: Sarah (Grush) Campos, Jenay Lovelady, Jason Lovelady, Kelly (Grush) Hagemo, and Gent Grush. Her great grandchildren: Craig Campos, Miranda Campos, Elizabeth Lovelady, Claire Campos, Zachary Lovelady, Nathan Hagemo, Micah Campos, Ian Hagemo, Cadence Hagemo, Sadie Grush, and June Grush.

A Memorial Service will be held on November 1st, 2024, at Swan Law Funeral Home, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her earthly resting place will be in Glendale, Arizona. She will rest eternally with the Lord.

Cindy, her loving daughter