Edith Mae Shirah

A resident of Prairieville, she went to be with her lord on Friday, September 28, 2012 at the age of 83. She loved her family dearly and was very gracious and giving to those she loved. She was a 1946 graduate of Istrouma High School and went on to graduate from Charity Nursing School in New Orleans in 1949. She devoted 59 years of service to nursing and helping the needs of others. She is survived by a daughter, Brenda Shirah Pickett and husband Lee; sister, Dorothy P. Dozier; brother, James William Parks Jr., two grandchildren, Thomas George Dougherty and wife Sandy, of Burt, MI and Jason Lee Pickett, of Prairieville; and two great grandchildren, Brandon Thomas Dougherty and Ashley Nicole Dougherty, both of Burt, MI. Preceded in death by her parents, James William and Bertha Stewart Parks; two sisters, Marie Dabadie and Virginia Kleinpeter; and a brother, Arthur Gaines. A visitation will be held at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales on Sunday, September 30, 2012 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Monday, October 1, 2012 from 9 a.m. until funeral service at 10 a.m., conducted by Rev. Robert Lawrence and music by Phillip Willis. Burial will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park, Baton Rouge. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.oursofh.com.