Geraldine Claudette Winkler Shirley (Geri), was reunited with her Savior on February 2, 2023. She was 88. Born March 19, 1934, in Zwolle, Louisiana, to Zadie (Burns) and Claude Winkler, Geri was the eighth of nine children, eight of whom were girls. She was a graduate of Fair Park High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she was named a Fair Park Beauty. She was happily married to her high school sweetheart, Richard Hoyt “Skip” Shirley for over 60 years before they were parted by his death in 2020. Geri was employed by Shreveport’s Centenary College for several years and was an integral partner with Skip in the building of their business, Progressive Printing. She was also a faithful, involved and spectacular mother and mother-in-law to her children, Richard Hoyt Shirley, Jr. (Rick) and Cynthia Arlene Shirley Woods (Cindy) and her daughter-in-law, Lisa Barteet Shirley, and a fun and deeply loving Grandmama to her grandchildren, Steven and John Shirley, Richard Woods, and Allison Woods Barteau (Aaron).
Geri gave her life to Jesus as a young girl and was a dedicated and inspirational Christian all her life, serving as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, an active member of United Methodist Women and co-founder with Skip of the First Light Sunday School Class at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas.
She loved harp music, Christmas, singing hymns, angels, watching snow fall, every season at The Greenbrier, their camp house on Cross Lake and laughing with her sisters. She loved and tended spectacular Camellia bushes in her yard, was famous for her yeast biscuits and egg custard pie, was widely admired for her character and integrity, class and beauty, but—most of all--her deep love of God and family.
Geri is survived by her children and grandchildren, sisters-in-law Peggy Shirley and Alice Singer, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband “Skip”, her parents, seven sisters, brother and her brothers-in-law, all of whom are sure to be overjoyed at their heavenly reunion with her.
The family offers their deep thanks to The Tradition at Lovers Lane, especially beloved caregiver Karen Brown, and to Faith Presbyterian Hospice for their attentive, loving and tender care of Geri in the last years of her life.
Geri will be remembered with a private graveside service and at a public Celebration of Life in the chapel of Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. in Dallas, on Thursday, February 9, at 2:00 p.m., and the family will receive visitors at a reception to follow in the Sparkman Hillcrest Lounge.
In lieu of flowers, gifts of remembrance may be made to the Music Ministry of Highland Park United Methodist Church.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Shirley family.
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