Obituary of Shirley Fleetwood

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:28-30 Shirley was always there for her husband, Paul (Bob), and her children and children-in law, Mike, Debby, Tandy, Kent, Laurie, Derrill, and Becky, and her grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law, Paul, Carolyn, Daryl, Emily, Andy, Bobby, Joel, Billy, Tyler, Hattie, D.Jay, Julie, Anne, and Kinsey. When they got up in the morning, when they went to bed at night, if they came home sick, if their heart was breaking, if they had a joke that needed telling, when there was a triumph to report, Shirley was there to listen, console, laugh, rejoice, and pray with them. She and Bob were teenage sweethearts, and they had a lifelong love affair. During their 55 years of marriage, they taught strong Biblical and family values to their children and grandchildren. Their relationship has been a model Christian marriage and a picture of the relationship between Christ and His Church. Shirley taught all four of her children to read and write before they entered school. She taught them to play games, and she did her best to beat them every time. The Famous Shirley Shuffle will go down in family lore. She spent hours without number sewing doll dresses, clothes, and dance costumes, cooking wonderful meals, and creating a beautiful and clean home, so that her family would feel the love she had for them. Traveling was always fun for Shirley. One of her favorite places to visit was the home of her brother David and his wife Dori. They enjoyed driving up and down the California coast together and chatting about childhood days. Her family by marriage, the Fleetwoods, became through the years her own family. She considered Opal to not only be her mother-in-law but to be her friend. Jim, Jenny, Ken, Bill, and their families were a big part of her life. Together they all shared both tears and laughter. She made friends wherever she went, knew no stranger, and her emotions were open, upfront and honest. Shirley was a walking icebreaker. Everyone's day was brightened because of her. She loved spending time with her church family and Pastor John. John and Shirley had a White Elephant joke that lasted for years. The girls at the sewing circle have also been her fun companions. Perhaps not a lot of sewing has been accomplished, but certainly a lot of friendship has been shared. Shirley loved to give her time and money to important causes. She was a faithful member of the Hwy K Firehouse and the Sheltered Workshop Board. She donated freely to anyone she knew that had a need. But her great love and consuming passion was God and His work of salvation, therefore her time spent in volunteering at church and in missions was very precious to her. Through the years she has hosted dozens of missionaries in her home, but it wasn't until she was 69 that she took her first official Mission Trip. After returning home she said, "I can't believe I waited until I was this old to start going on Mission Trips." Since trusting in Christ as her Savior and Lord, Shirley has been looking forward with anticipation, confidence, and joy to her first moment of being able to finally see Christ face to face. We miss her, but we rejoice with her in entering this reality. "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." I Corinthians 15:12 "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'" Matthew 25:34 Visitation will begin Thursday, August 7, 2008, at 10 AM with the funeral following at 11:30 AM. Brother Kent Harding & Brother John Harwell will officiate with burial to be at Elizabeth Cemetery.