Shirley Emerson Stidham

Shirley Maxine (Emerson) Stidham, 78, of Sikeston, escaped to eternity May 6, 2012. She was the first born of twelve children to John Mac and Ossie Mae (Pratt) Emerson, in Oran, MO. She was everybody’s big-sister and little-momma. Shirley married Ernest “Pat” Stidham from Chaffee, MO at Fort Hood, TX on May 24, 1952. They had five children: John, Ernie Jr., Tish, Liz and Dani. Together they raised the kids in Alton, IL.

Shirley was preceded in death by both her parents, her beloved daughter Liz, cherished sister Roxie, youngest brother Patrick, and three infant siblings. On June 1, 2010, her husband, helpmate, and great source of aggravation left her for the next world.

Shirley will be remembered in the hearts of her nine grandchildren: John Michael Stidham and Racheal Zorger, Justin and Jenn Smith, Jeremy and Kelsie Stidham, Sidney and Zachary Hawkins, and Jesse Stidham. Stories of her will be told to Carley Hill-Smith, Leif Zorger and Lily Shidham, her three great grandchildren.

Shirley was a wonderful cook, prolific gardener and also a meticulous housekeeper. She felt that her cooking was not only a form of self-expression, but an extension of her love. In her garden you would find flowers planted next to vegetables; flowering bushes next to herbs and spices. Her plants lived in harmony and responded to her careful and thoughtful touch by growing in beauty and abundance.

She was proud to be a waitress, and was employed by the Ramada Inn of Sikeston for many years. She took great satisfaction ensuring her customers had an enjoyable experience, and she always welcomed special requests. She rejoiced with her customers in times of happiness and consoled them in times of trouble.

Shirley was a Christian and practiced her Catholic faith with grace. Like any mother, sister, aunt or grandmother who leaves us, Shirley will be mourned, missed and remembered.

The funeral mass will be conducted at 10:30am Wednesday, May 9, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sikeston, with the Rev. Father Glenn Eftink officiating. Nunnelee Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Private burial of her cremains will occur at a later date.

To honor her life, Shirley requests donations be made to:

Birthright of Cape Girardeau

2633 Hopper Road

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

www.birthrightofcgmo.org