Shirley Ann Allensworth

Shirley was “momma” to some of us, “grandma” or “Mawmaw” to others, and a second mother and grandmother to a couple of generations of younger family friends. Shirley and Bill’s house in Spring Branch in her hometown of Houston was a warm and loving home and a second home for the friends, grandchildren, and numerous refugees she and Bill lodged over nearly six decades. It was a labor of love both of them took much joy in.

God’s light shined bright in Shirley’s life and in all she did. Wherever Shirley was, there was also humor, easy laughter, a simple faith in Christ, selfless service to others, and genuine compassion and empathy for all she knew. She was quick to ask forgiveness if she felt she had wronged someone and was just as quick to forgive. She loved people, was outgoing, made friends easily, and was a den mother to a host of boys, the friends of her sons, whose adventures and misadventures she recounted time and again. They were happy to return the favor, as there were numerous tales involving Shirley to recount as well. She loved all her boys.

She also loved her church, her native state of Texas, rooting for her favorite sports teams, cooking for her family, decorating for Christmas, and living the good life of a devoted, beloved and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and good neighbor and friend.

Shirley was preceded in death by her father, Herbert Oscar Leu and her mother, Anna Evelyn Leu.

She is survived by her husband, Billy Lee Allensworth. Shirley was born on August 8, 1936, and she and Bill would have celebrated their 62nd Anniversary on February 14th. She is also survived by her son, Bobby Allensworth, and his children, grandson Tyler (Kacy) Allensworth, their daughter and Shirley's only great-grandchild, Aubrey Pearl, grandson Nicholas, and by Tyler and Nicholas's mother, Susie Allensworth; son Wayne and daughter-in-law Stacy, and their children, Elizabeth (DJ Merino), Rachel, and Matthew; son Marvin and daughter-in-law Shavonn, and their children, Kaler and Jacob, and by a host of friends who were like family to us all.