Shirley Ann Hays

Shirley was born on August 29, 1935 to Trixie Vance Harper Mathys and Arthur John Mathys in San Antonio, Texas. Shirley graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School on May 26, 1953. She worked as an accounting clerk until her marriage to Jimmy Ray Hays on November 1, 1953. Shirley and Jimmy met at a roller skating rink while she was in high school and he was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. During their marriage Jimmy and Shirley moved to numerous locations across the country first with the Air Force and then with Univac. (Mom impressed everyone with her Mary Poppins packing skills. She could fit an entire bedroom suite, mattress included, in the trunk of her Lincoln.)

Jimmy and Shirley had 3 beautiful, enchanting daughters, Sharol Peterson, Debbie Phillips, and Amber Stivers.( They wrote this) Shirley was a domestic goddess who was never without a whisk broom, travel sized Lysol, wet wipes and bleach. We were young adults before we realized Clorox was not a Chanel scent.

Shirley was very soft spoken but often surprised people with her exceptionally dry wit. She was always joking, even in dire straits. One of those times was a trip to the hospital when she was having a heart attack. The nurse in the hospital was having trouble with the heart monitor. It flat lined and Mom gasped, closed her eyes and went limp, scared the poor nurse to pieces and then Mom started giggling!

Shirley spent her time raising her 3 girls and helping to raise her 10 grand children and 4 great grandchildren. She was a fantastic cook and phenomenal baker. Her family will always remember the incredible divinity, cakes and cookies she made at Christmas time and all the holiday feasts she prepared.

People were always surprised by the sweet southern belle who also happened to be exceptionally smart and quite adept as a prankster. Shortly before her death her nurses were commenting on her sense of humor never flagging.

Shirley was the home administrator for the family maintaining a spotless house (following our every step with a vacuum and or carpet rake) and coordinating multiple corporate moves over the years. After her children were grown, Shirley worked with her husband Jimmy as a realtor for a number of years. She and Jimmy retired in 2005 and spent their free time enjoying their multiple generations of progeny which were her pride and joy.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents Arthur and Trixie (Peggy) Mathys, brother Revely Mathys, sisters Gloria Mathys and Constance Parker. She is survived by her husband Jimmy Hays, sister-in-law Billie Tuttle, daughters Sharol Peterson and husband Todd, Debbie Phillips and husband Wes, and Amber Stivers and husband Todd, grandchildren Melannie Pittman, Christopher Schober, Jett Peterson, Forrest Phillips, Claire Phillips, Skyler Phillips, Ted Taylor, Savannah Taylor, Jimmy Taylor, Vaun Stivers, McKayla Stivers, Caleb Stivers, John Samuel Stivers, and great grandchildren Trinity and Christyl Pittman, and Trenten and Ashton Taylor. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and her sister-in-law Billie Tuttle all of whom she communicated with for as long as she was able prior to her death.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Copperas Cove, Texas on September 19 at 10 am. Viewing will be held immediately prior to the service starting at 9 am.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowerscopperascove.com for the Hays family.