Shirley Sue Farris

Blond, cheerful and charming. She was kind and considerate; and yet a force to be reckoned with. A daughter. A wife. A mother and grandmother. A woman of faith and character, now gone home. We celebrate her life, her legacy. We cherish the most important things, the things that made up her identity. Her character and nature. Her life.

The life of Shirley Sue Farris.

July 5th 1932 in Haleyville, Alabama, because what better way to celebrate the Independence of our country than with the birth of a firecracker, Shirley was born to Oscar and Docia Knight. Brothers, James and Burice, were already there to welcome her home.

Her father called her Sis and she owned that small town with every form of grace she had.

At eighteen, she made the greatest decision one could ever make. She chose to become obedient to the gospel and live with Christ as her Savior. That He was the son of God, given in our steads. That though we stand here, we understand that this is not the end, but only the beginning. Something that now, our Mimi knows so well.

She met the love of her life, Joe Thomas Farris at twenty three and eloped with him in April of ‘55, starting the beginnings of a family that would stretch all across this globe and touch hundreds of lives. Their life together was full of adventure, their house was always full of company. She was a consummate hostess, a talented cook, feisty, fun loving, and clever, always the most beautiful woman in the room, both inside and out.

Her greatest joy was being Mimi. She was a Grandmother that was soft and smelled of the things she baked. Her smile, soft voice, and gentle touch comforted her grandchildren. Her house was the epicenter of excitement for them. A magical place where holidays, family gatherings and slumber parties were cherished and longed for. She spent her entire life serving others. Her children, grandchildren, and her family are her legacy. Her light and love are what we choose to carry with us.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joe Thomas Farris.

She is survived by her daughter Melanie Kogucz and husband Kevin; her son Thom Farris and wife Ronna; her four granddaughters: Kara Kogucz Emberlin and husband Cameron, Megan Kogucz, Allie Farris LeClerc and husband Cedric, Jordin Farris Fisch and husband Jason; grandson Sean Kogucz and wife Taylor; and great granddaughter Eden Avery Fisch, due in December; nephew Benny H. Knight and wife Bonnie. She told each one of them they were her favorite.

She is also survived by her precious church family at Brown Trail Church of Christ.

Her life will be celebrated from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home.

Internment will follow in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.