Shirley Gene Arnold

Shirley was born Shirley Gene Watkins to Wilma Turner and Earnest Eugene Watkins on February 25, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas. This farming family grew to include a brother, Earnest Eugene Watkins, Jr. (Ernie) and a sister, Linda Ruth Watkins (now McCraw). Shirley’s father purchased a Hawaiian guitar in 1939 which Shirley played until marriage and children took priority. Her enjoyment of music continued throughout her life. Shirley’s sister, Linda, recalls Shirley professing her faith and love of Christ at the age of 12.

Shirley married John Richard Craig in January, 1953 and had three children Kim, Lisa and Laren. John and Shirley raised their family in Lubbock in John’s family business in building supplies and construction. Shirley was an excellent seamstress sewing all forms of clothing and costumes for the family and many friends. She was an artist – she took oil painting lessons, did toll painting and ceramics. She included her own children in creating works of art for all of our use and pleasure.

Shirley’s grandchildren and her nephew and nieces were close in age so the name for all who followed became “Nonie”. Nonie has five grandchildren – Courtney, Cody and Malory Craig and Lesley and Ben Barlow; Her nephew, Scott McCraw, her nieces Dawn and Hannah Watkins. There are 11 great-grandchildren.

With family raised, Shirley married Thomas Dean Arnold (Tommy). Her family expanded to include four step-children, Rhonda, Rusty, Randy and Raychelle Arnold, plus three more grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Shirley began a chapter in her life of adventure. Shirley and Tommy traveled most of the world with one place visited twice – Portugal. She enjoyed the people there as well as the shopping for fabrics.

When travelling became less important Shirley purchased property near Ft. McKavett, Texas and became a part of a wonderful community there. While never staying away from Lubbock very long, Shirley loved the life at the ranch. Her property there continues to be a place to gather and engage in the outdoor activities she enjoyed. All of the family and extended family have spent time and utilized it as a place to enjoy food, atmosphere and good company. She formed deep friendships within that community.

Shirley’s Lubbock ties did not end with the sale of her home in the Texas Tech area. She moved to the extremely close and caring community in Vintage Township. Being close to her sister, to her sons and their families, and close to Victory Life Baptist Church provided Shirley with a supportive and engaging life. Her “never say no” personality and her faith opened a world of those who wanted to be with her as much as she could. The book club, the bible study and her loving neighbors, especially the young ones, filled her days with joy.

Throughout her life her relationship with Christ has been her foundation. Thankful for her blessings and leaning on the strength of her faith she had a full life and a life fulfilled.

She is survived by her three children – Kim Richard Craig, his wife Shelley, Lisa Craig Barlow and her husband Don, and John Laren Craig and his wife Vickie; her loving sister, Linda McCraw and her son Scott McCraw, her sister-in-law, Kathy Watkins and her daughters Dawn and Hannah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilma and E.E. Watkins, her brother, Earnest Watkins, her husband Tommy Arnold, her children’s father, John Craig and her step-son, Randy Arnold.