Shirley Ann (Smith) Stallard

Born in Jefferson City, MO., on January 16, 1935, Shirley was the youngest of O.J. And Palagie Ellen “Tisie” Smith’s five children. She attended Broadway Elementary School and Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, Mo. She loved the Class of ’53, and was convinced they are the kindest people in the world, and that she grew up in the best place in the world.

While working for the Army Map Service, hand drawing terrain maps, Shirley met Caskel Stallard at Whiteman Air Force Base. In 1954, they married and spent nearly three years in England where he was stationed with the United States Air Force. Their first child, Julie-Ellen, was born overseas in 1956. The family moved to Sedalia, Mo., where Andy was born in 1960, and then onto Liberal, Kan., where Pete was born in 1963. The new family of five moved to Wichita, Kan., in 1963, then they built their home in Goddard, Kan., in 1967. Shirley and Cas had a brief three-year stint in Kansas City, Kan., moving back to Wichita for the final time in 1987. Cas died in 2013, and Shirley decided it was time to go on the road in a 29ft motorhome while keeping her permanent home in Wichita. She was on the road to fulfill a lifetime dream, bringing joy and fun to everyone she met.

Shirley was an incredible homemaker, an inspirational mother and a multi-talented artist. Her paintings, photography and sculptures fill her home, and her work can be seen around Kansas and Missouri. Her greatest pride is her family: she has inspired two generations of scientists and engineers. Her family was blessed by her strong (perhaps a better word is willful) presence in life as she guided them. Shirley made friends everywhere she went, including all of the animals and critters that visit her home in west Wichita and on her travels. She adopted several feral cats over the years, and made all her cats happy and at home and with her whether at her home or inside her home on wheels. Shirley’s focus in life has always been taking care of others. When Cas died in 2013, she went on a journey of rediscovering her purpose in life. She realized that helping others to find happiness and kindness in their life was her gift to others.

Shirley was a long time member of the Kansas Arts Guild, and a founding member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.

Shirley is survived by her three children, Julie-Ellen Acosta (Carlos), Caskel André (Pam), and Ronald Pierré (Cari Warden); seven grandchildren, Joe Gessler (Kim), Jennifer Holder (Jon), CJ Acosta, Elisa Acosta (Kenneth), Sarah Ouellette (Corey), Evan Stallard, and Lauren Watson (Cody); seven great-grandchildren, Jace, Amelia and Kate Gessler, Hadley and Carrick Ouellette, and Cole and Penelope (Ellie) Holder; and her sister, Dolores Dick of Warrensburg, Missouri, and sister-in-law Beverly Haerle Smith of Overland Park, Kan. as well as many nieces, nephews, loving friends and neighbors.

Shirley’s family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to many of the doctors that worked with her including, but not limited to, Dr. Arthur Windholtz, Dr. Bassem Chehab at the Ascension Via Christi Heart Valve Clinic, and Harry Hines Hospice at St. Francis, along with a special thanks to Father Dan Spexarth of St. Catherine's Parish for the weekly visits he made to see Shirley as it was a huge piece of comfort for her in her final days.

A vigil and remembrance will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wichita, Kan., on Thursday, July 13, at 7 PM. The funeral mass will be held on Friday morning, July 14, at 10:30 AM, followed by a luncheon, at St. Catherine. She will be interred next to her husband Cas at Resurrection Mausoleum in a private service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wichita or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

All flowers can be sent directly to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wichita, KS. For those unable to attend the service, their is a link below to watch the service online: https://www.youtube.com/@saintcatherineofsienacatho1059