Shirley K. Montgomery

Shirley Katherine (Jeffers) Montgomery was born on September 21, 1928, in Des Moines, Iowa. Her loving parents, Sarah and Wilbur Brown cared for their children, Modena (sister), Shirley, and Clark (brother) on the south side of Des Moines, known as Chesterfield. Shirley was a lifelong Des Moines resident and graduated from Des Moines East High School.

Shirley met her husband, William George Montgomery in Des Moines, Iowa, where they fell in love. They were married on November 23, 1951. To this union two daughters were born, Sara and Billie. Shirley and Bill enjoyed over 50 years of marriage. Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, friend, and business partner. Bill owned and operated his private business, Montgomery Signs, for over 50 years with Shirley at his side. Shirley was the Office Manager for Montgomery Signs, and his rock.

Shirley’s career was her family. She was an active PTA member, a regular field trip chaperone, and room mother. Shirley was actively involved with all her daughters’ school events. She was also an enthusiastic instructor when it came to teaching her daughters to swim, roller skate, ice skate, bowl, play tennis, ping pong, and badminton. Even then before it became popular she believed women had a place in sports.

A loving and supportive wife of over 50 years, Bill was her soul mate. Shirley was by his side attending to Bill’s every need for over 30 years as he battled one serious illness after another, often spending 12 to 15 hours a day in the hospital for months at a time. Her family was her first priority.

Anyone who knows Shirley knows football, basketball, tennis, and golf were her favorite television programs. On any given Sunday, you would find Shirley propped in front of the television cheering on her favorite team, and booing the ones she did not like. Shirley was a fierce protector and advocate of her grandchildren’s sports teams. To this date she harbors a deep grudge against current or former coaches who she believed did not treat her grandchildren fairly!

Shirley, affectionately known as Mimi, loved her grandchildren and was proud of them all. Her newest great-grandchild, Halle Nicole Parker, was born on her birthday! One of her favorite ways to demonstrate her love was through her cooking. Each time they would visit, their favorite dishes and desserts awaited. Every Christmas each family received a box filled with cookies, fudge, tassies, cake, pumpkin bread, pecan fingers, homemade peanut brittle, bourbon balls, bridge mix, and Shirley’s famous popcorn balls. Many in the family have tried without success to make the popcorn balls. Shirley’s fudge is legendary!

Not only was Shirley a sports enthusiast, she was passionate about cards. She loved to play poker, bid whist, spades, keno, phase 10, you name it as long as cards were involved. Through the years she hosted and attended many card parties and gatherings. She also loved the casinos, migrating from machine to machine until she found just the right one, and she usually did! To this date, her most memorable vacation spot was, of course, her trip to Las Vegas!

In later years Shirley picked up an old hobby - embroidery. While watching her favorite sports team, she would create beautiful kitchen towels. Most, if not all of her family own a towel set displaying her talents. Encouraged to market them at craft fairs, Shirley preferred to gift them to family and friends. Shirley suffered a stroke in 2011, and in her words, “the old hands don’t work anymore,” and she was unable to embroidery.

On April 11, 2013, after an extended illness, surrounded by family, Shirley took God’s hand when she heard the call, and stepped quietly into eternity. Preceding her in death were her parents, Wilbur and Sarah Brown, her husband, William (Bill) Montgomery, and her sister, Modena Jeffers.

Shirley leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Sara Parker, of Woodridge, Illinois, and Billie Johnson, of Des Moines, Iowa; four grandchildren, Anthony (Tamy) Parker, of Wesley Chapel, FL, Marcus (Glenda) Parker, of Odessa, FL, Candace (Shelden) Williams, of Los Angeles, CA, and Sydney Johnson, of Des Moines, IA; as well as six great-grandchildren, Alonso, Julian, Naomi, Lailaa, Aria, and Halle; and one loving brother Clark (Naomi) Jeffers, of Des Moines, Iowa; along with extended family and many friends.

Visitation will be from 1:30-2:30 pm, Friday, May 3, 2013, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home at 605 Lyon Street. A memorial service will follow at 2:30 pm.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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