Marie Jalaine Shirley, age 85, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on May 3rd, 2026. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gary Shirley, and two sisters, Andrea Turpin and RaNelle Simon.
Born on December 10th, 1940 at home in Taylor, Texas, Jalaine was the second of four daughters of the late Albert and Angeline “Nell” Touchet. Jalaine learned sewing and cooking from her mother, two things at which she excelled and passed down to her children. After graduating valedictorian from St. Mary’s High School, Jalaine moved to Austin and worked for the Austin American-Statesman, supporting her sister Andrea through nursing school. While there, she met and married John W. Lee, and continued working to support him through law school. Their first daughter was born in Austin, and after graduation they moved to Houston and had two more children.
Jalaine had a long career as a secretary in diverse fields such as County administration, oil and gas, and architecture. While working at R & A Architects, Jalaine met, and eventually married, her second husband, Gary Shirley of Friona, TX. Together, they enjoyed many happy years of marriage and travel with their favorite couple - her sister RaNelle Simon and her husband Raymond. After retirement and Gary’s passing, she spent most of her time enjoying friends and family, and practicing her faith.
While her children were in school, she was an active volunteer in Girl Scouts and at St. Jerome’s Church, modeling an attitude of adventure and service. In fact, Jalaine rarely sat still, preferring instead to garden, travel, and exercise, especially Jazzercize. She also maintained a lifelong love of reading, particularly mysteries, and enjoyed discussing and exchanging them with family.
Jalaine is survived by her youngest sister Cherri Wolbrueck of Taylor, TX, her daughter Margery Davis of Maple Valley, WA, her daughter Jennifer (and Mike) Rollins of Friendswood, TX, and son Michael (and Kendra) Lee of Spring Valley, TX; her cherished grandchildren, Garrett, Elizabeth, Mallory, Sam, Maxton and Henry, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind many dear friends and neighbors who will miss her loyalty, sassy wit and playful teasing.
A visitation of Jalaine Shirley and her life will be held at Waltrip Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday May 8th, followed by a rosary. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 9th at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Jalaine will be laid to rest in Taylor, TX at a later date.
Memorial Contributions: Please send flowers to Waltrip Funeral Home, or contribute to a Catholic or animal charity of your choice in her honor, as those were closest to Jalaine’s heart.
