Shirley E. Marshall

Shirley Elizabeth Elza was born February 10, 1948 in Oneida, Kentucky, the third child of Maynard and Imogene Elza. After graduating in 1966 from Hazel Green High School, she earned an associate’s degree from Sue Bennett College, then received her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University and her master’s degree from Tarleton State University.

While at Eastern, she met her husband, Charles Marshall. After his enlistment in the US Army, they moved, along with son Juan, to Fort Hood, where she began her teaching career. Over 32 years, she taught at Pershing Park, Duncan and Cedar Valley elementary schools, and retired from Audie Murphy Middle School, where she taught alongside her son.

While teaching was her life’s work, her favorite role was being Mamaw to her grandchildren Charlie and Emily.

Shirley was an enthusiastic quilter, loved watching game shows, and cheering for the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Killeen, and also was a part of the Killeen Retired Teachers’ Association.

Shirley was preceded in death by her mother and father, sister Mary Lou Bowling, brother James Onis Elza and numerous loved relatives.

She is survived by her husband Charles, sister Druscilla (Ralph) Perry, son Juan (Anna) Marshall, grandson Charles (Estefania) Marshall and granddaughter Emily Marshall. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be held on Monday, September 25, 2023 at 11 am at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home with Dr. Randy Wallace presiding. The family will be receiving visitors one hour before the services. Burial will follow at the Texas State Veterans’ Cemetery at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org or call 800-473-4636.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com for the Marshall family.