Rose Mary Jasper Shirley

Rose Mary Ennis was born in Oklahoma City, OK on August 30, 1931. She soon moved back to her mother’s home place in Concord, TX, where she and her older brother, Howard, lived with their grandparents in a real log cabin. And yes, there was no running water, she did pick cotton and walk miles to the bus stop in the snow. Her parents went to work in the ship yards in Houston as a welder and riveter during WWII. When she was eleven they moved to Houston to be with their parents. She attended San Jacinto High School and worked at Madings Drug Store her senior year where she met her first husband, Herman Jasper, who was a “fly-boy” during the war. They married in November of 1948, moved to Cleveland and had three children, Rhonda, Robert and later on Jeannie. She was always the homeroom mom, Brownie and Girl Scout/Cub Scout leader, softball coach and mom that volunteered for everything. Our house and backyard was always full of kids. She worked at the school, doctor’s office and several retail businesses and then worked for her husband at NAPA dealership. It was during that time that Jeannie was born and since the first two children were grown, she opened a day care business so that Jeannie would not be an “only child.” The business was very successful and really met her calling as a caregiver. She kept and tended a lot of children and each one was better for having been in her care. “Nanny” was loved and respected. They had 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was widowed at a young age and later on met Carl Shirley. They dated for a while and then decided that the joint families should celebrate Thanksgiving together. Well, you can imagine the surprise when instead of blessing the meal Brother Bullock stood and began “dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join in Holy Matrimony.” Honestly, you could have heard a pin drop. It was priceless and they continued to love and cherish one another until his death in February of 2010. To Mom’s benefit the marriage to Mr. Shirley came with many step-children and grandchildren and later great-grandchildren all of which she loved and cherished. Mom succumbed to the effects of Alzheimer’s and other health issues on Sunday, February 23, 2014, in Bryan, TX, moments after prayer was offered up to grant her “the grace of peace.” She is preceded in death by her parents: Raymond Walter and Venus Hammock Ennis; husband: Herman Sidney Jasper, 1948 to 1974; husband: Carl Elton Shirley, 1985 to 2010; son: Robert Sidney Jasper; step-grandchild: Eric Smith. Survivors include her children: Rhonda Jasper Wells and husband, Sidney; Betty Jean “Jeannie” Jasper Goodman and husband, Brad; grandchildren: Brett and Ginger Wells, Haille and Jessica Goodman, Sarah Kay Jasper; great-grandchildren: Cheyenne, Taylor and Christian Mize, Kaitlyn and Bailey Wells, Hagen Kelso and Emily Strahan; brother: Howard Ray Ennis and wife Bobbie; daughter-in-law: Beverly Jasper; step-children: Vicki Smith and husband, James; Scott Shirley and wife, Laura, Greg Shirley and wife, Cheryl; Kent Shirley and wife, Debbie; and Carl Shirley, Jr.; step-grandchildren: West and Chad Smith and Glenda Perry, Blaine Shirley, Dylan and Ryan Shirley, Ashton and Caleb Shirley; Derek, Barrett, Kenny and Kaitlyn Shirley; Megan and Haley O’Brien; step-great-grandchildren: Hayden, Matthew, Carley, Micah, Isabella, Canaan, and Oliver Smith; Haley and Michael Mays, Kayson Miller, and Adelynn Shirley. Visitation will be from 6:00–8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home, Cleveland, Texas. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 27, 2014, 10:00 a.m., at Calvary Baptist Church, Cleveland, Texas with Bro. Carol Williamson and Pastor Lonnie Green presiding. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, February 27, 2014, at Forest Hill Cemetery, Livingston, Texas.