Shirley Carolyn Houser

Shirley Carolyn Goans Houser, 89 of Hickory, NC went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 6th, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.

Born on July 28th, 1935, in Grainger County, TN, Shirley was the daughter of the late Franklin King and Margaret Hobbs Goans. Her children were so grateful for her loving care and will miss her dearly.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, James Franklin Houser who passed in 2000, her brother, Franklin King Goans, Jr. and her sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Hefner and a daughter-in-law, Patricia Houser.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sister, Patsy Goans Dawson; her children, Pamela Houser Wood, Vickie Houser Eckard (Dennis) and James “Chuck” Franklin Houser, Jr.

Grandchildren: Todd Stilwell (Drema) of Knoxville, TN, Ashley Eckard (Toya) of Denver, CO, Amanda Valko (Tim) of Hickory, NC and Stacey Martinat (Rob) of Valdese, NC.

Great Grandchildren: Tyler Stilwell, Hannah Stilwell, Morgan Shook, Nathaniel Valko and Henry Martinat.

A Graveside Service will be held at Catawba Memorial Park on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 1pm with Pastor Terri Landers officiating.

The family will receive friends after the service from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm at Catawba Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church, ELCA Choir Fund in Shirley’s name.

Condolences may be left at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.

The Houser Family is under the care of Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations.