Shirley Stevens

She is survived by her devoted daughters, Donna Sample and Carolee Stevens; her son-in-law, Floyd V. Chuter; her grandchildren, Vince Chuter Jr; Ember Pruitt; Megan Wylie-Sample; Caleb Sample; Faith Sample; great-grandchildren, Logan Pruitt; Alice Pruitt; Edward Chuter; Cayden and Stella Sample ; half brothers, Mike and Tom Gilliam; and her lifelong best friend, Terry Driggers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Stevens; mother, Mai Simpson; Stepfather, Albert R. Simpson; father, James Otis Gilliam; and Stepmother, Doris Gilliam.

She was born at home in Greenfield, Tennessee on August 15, 1936. In October of 1947 she moved to Houston, Texas with her mother and stepfather when he came to work in the oil fields. On April 21, 1962 (San Jacinto Day) she married Charles Stevens. They fought many a battle, but stayed together for over 57 years until Charles’s death in 2019. She retired from the University of Houston in 2000.

Shirley enjoyed reading, watching her TV shows, and thrift (junk) shopping. She had a strong work ethic, a sense of duty, an extra dry wit, and a fighting spirit to the end. She lived a life of integrity with devotion to her family and friends who loved her so much.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association or The Houston Humane Society.