Shirley Lou Spearman Smith was born Oct.10, 1942 in Spearman, and left us on June 4, 2021. She suffered from dementia in the last years of her life but still told her children and grandchildren that she loved them every time she saw or spoke to them.
Shirley was born and raised in Spearman, to William Curtis Spearman and Hattie Eulalia Burns Spearman. She also lived in Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska during her life, usually settling near her children and grandchildren. She was a stay at home mother and homemaker all her life.
Shirley preferred the company of cats and dogs and would gravitate toward pets whenever she had the opportunity. She loved her cat Maggie and was the proud grandmother to two furry grand pets: Coco the chocolate Lab, whom she helped raise as a puppy and Kirby the English Bulldog. She loved Jesus with all her heart and could find a connection to Him regardless of where she was or what church she attended. She loved old gospel hymns and her favorite songs were Amazing Grace, The Old Rugged Cross, and What a Friend We Have in Jesus. She could always be found listening to her music, praying, and reading her bible. She enjoyed playing hymns on the piano in her younger years.
Heath was her first grandchild. Shirley was so excited to be a grandma and we have many pictures of her sitting on the floor playing with him. She was always happy to be there and soaked up every moment. She was so proud to be a grandmother and cherished watching him grow up.
Grandma loved Jason and Jessica both so much. She spent many years caring for them as young children, right up until she left Colorado and moved to Nebraska. Jessica, as her only granddaughter, held a special place in Shirley’s heart. She enjoyed taking both of them to and from school and being there for them after school.
When Ben came into our family, Shirley welcomed him into the family with open arms and asked about him often. She loved to listen to him play the violin.
Sam was her youngest grandchild. She adored him from the moment he arrived and spent many hours lovingly caring for him. She admired his adventurous spirit and looked forward to seeing what he would do in the future. She loved that he went to Catholic school and loved Jesus.
In 2016, Shirley moved to Nebraska to be closer to her daughter Patti, her husband Tim and their son Sam. At that time they had not lived close to each other in 8 years and Shirley remarked, “I can’t believe I’m here in Nebraska living with you, I got my girl back!” Shirley was a great source support throughout Patti’s life, and being there to take care of Shirley during the last years of her life was Patti’s greatest privilege and honor.
Shirley is survived by her daughter Patti Gardner (Tim) of Lincoln, NE; her son Loren Smith of Fort Collins, CO; her sister Wilma Francis of Perryton; brother Curtis Spearman of Kerville; grandchildren Heath Spiegelberg, Jason Chipp, Ben Gardner, Jessica Chipp and Sam Gardner; her nephew Andy Francis (Darrie) of Perryton, Angie Graves (John) of Amarillo and Steven Francis (Kim) of Perryton. Shirley leaves many beloved great nieces, nephews, extended family and friends to mourn her passing.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Frances Spearman Park, her daughter Robyn Smith-Chipp, and her son Jason Smith.
Private family graveside services will be held Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Hansford County Cemetery.