Shirley Mae Saulsbury

Shirley Mae (Beaver) Saulsbury was born on November 26, 1923, in Mission, Texas, to William Arthur and Lillie Mae Beaver. She died peacefully on May 28, 2023, at the age of 99. She was preceded in death by her husband James Irvin “Toby” Saulsbury, her daughter Jan Carol Barnum, her daughter Peggy Lynn Foster, and partner William L. “Bill” Lemen. She is survived by five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She loved them all.

The daughter of a tenant farmer in the days of kerosene lamps, canal water, and outhouses, Shirley attended schools in Weslaco, Sharyland, and Edcouch-Elsa. After graduation, she attended Durham’s Business College in Austin and later transferred to the branch in Harlingen, where she met her first love Toby. The two were married in 1942 in Raymondville, Texas. She worked in Harlingen as a stenographer and bookkeeper for an insurance agent until the couple moved to Pharr in 1946.

When her youngest daughter was in the second grade, Shirley entered Pan American College to fulfill her long-time dream of becoming a teacher. She began teaching at age 35 and taught mathematics at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School for 31 years, retiring as the head of the department. Late in her life, she fell in love for a second time with Bill. In 2014, they exchanged vows and were together until Bill passed away in 2022.

She was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Pharr and served in numerous positions at the church over the years. She was a member of the Rho Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Pharr Progress Club, and Hidalgo County Retired Teachers Association. She loved to play duplicate bridge and was a Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 15 at 10 AM at Funeraria del Angel Highland Funeral Home, 6705 North FM 88, Weslaco, TX 78596. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Pharr or the charity of their choice.