Shirley Mike Gillespie Dyess

Shirley Mike Gillespie Dyess, 91, of Seguin, Texas passed away peacefully on November 1, 2026, surrounded by loved ones after a brief illness. She leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories, meaningful friendships, and a family who will forever hold her close in their hearts.

Born on December 10, 1934, in Austin, Texas, to Harlie and Ethel Gillespie, Shirley Mike grew up in the city she would call home for much of her life. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1952 and went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin, beginning a lifelong connection with the university that would later become an important part of her life.

In 1953, Shirley Mike married Dr. Robert “Bob” Lee Hull, and together they welcomed three children: Lee, Julie, and Katie.

Shirley Mike built a fulfilling career, first working for the Texas Employment Commission, and later, at the University of Texas at Austin. During her years at UT, she found great joy in supporting the professors and students in the Philosophy Department, and later in the Chemistry Department. She valued the people she worked with and the friendships she made along the way. After many years of dedicated service, she retired in 2007.

But retirement was far from the end of Shirley Mike's adventures. In fact, it marked the beginning of a wonderful new chapter. That same year, she married Dr. Stewart Dyess and moved to Lubbock, Texas. Together, they embraced the opportunity to travel, make new friends, and enjoy life side by side. Shirley Mike especially treasured opportunities to visit family, whether they lived nearby or miles away. She also devoted time to researching the Gillespie family genealogy, lovingly exploring the stories and connections that linked generations of her family together.

Shirley Mike was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Stewart Dyess; her parents, Harlie and Ethel Gillespie; and her brothers, Donald Gillespie (Isabel) and Harlie Patterson “ Pat” Gillespie.

Shirley Mike is lovingly remembered by her three children: Robert Lee Hull, Jr (Cassandra) of Bastrop, TX; Julie Hull Stanicek(Michelle) of Elgin, IL and Mary Kathryn “Katie” Arnold (Rick) of Seguin, TX.

She is also survived by her 10 cherished grandchildren: Megan Schipp-Hull, Morgan Clopton, Robert Hull (Taylor), Samantha Hull, Robert Young (Rebecca), Kristy Young, Chelsea Coggins (Paul), Ricky Arnold (Kimberley), Jack Arnold, and Adam Arnold;and eight great-grandchildren: Angelia Warner, Kinsley Schipp,Caroline Clopton, Ellie Clopton, Audrey Coggins, Asher Coggins, Ezra Arnold, and Adeline Arnold.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at Cook Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery in Pflugerville, TX. A reception will follow at The Salt Lick in Round Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the H.I. Robinson Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church at 1411 Broadway Street, Lubbock, TX 79401 or the South Plains Food Bank 5605 M.L.K. Blvd. Lubbock, TX 79404.