Shirley Robertson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Shirley Ann Robertson ended her journey on this earth August 30th, 2023.

Shirley was born in Sheldon, Missouri on January 24th, 1935, to the late Earl L Dickson and Lula Mae (Devenney) Dickson. She was the second of four children - sister Martha (Whitacre) and brother Earl Dickson, and Carolyn (Baker), who preceded her in death in 2021. Early in Shirley’s life, the family moved from Sheldon to the outskirts of Webb City, Missouri. There, on 15 acres, they built a home and a life of gardening, tending to chickens and livestock along with everyday chores.

Shirley and her siblings attended Prairie Flower School; a one-room schoolhouse a mile or so north of their home. Later, she attended and graduated from Webb City High School.

The family also attended Prairie Flower Church in the same location as the school. This was a unique church with no specific denominational ties. Rather, they employed pastors from various denominations throughout the years. It was there that she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized.

After graduation, and before each were married, Shirley and her younger sister Carolyn took several vacations together, traveling across the United States by bus. Those adventures stuck with her, as she loved to retell the stories of their travels to New York City and other landmarks far from home.

Shirley went to work for Campbell’s 66 Express, a trucking company with a terminal in Joplin. Starting in accounting, she later moved to shipping and receiving, then finally to the reception desk, also serving as telephone operator. It was at the reception desk where she met her future husband, Joe.

Shirley and Joe were married on June 3rd, 1962 at Forest Park Baptist Church. In those days, believers coming from outside the Baptist faith were expected to be baptized into the church. This didn’t sit well with Shirley and, while agreeing to the process, she told the pastor, “You can dunk me, but I’ve already been baptized”. Shirley and Joe spent the rest of their lives at Forest Park serving in various areas. Over those 60 years, Shirley spent time serving in the nursery, as a Sunday School teacher for 3-year-olds, and helped prepare and serve family meals following funerals. She was Forest Park Famous for her pies and always brought home empty plates from church fellowship dinners and Joy Club gatherings.

Shirley and Joe welcomed two children, son Joseph (Hal) Robertson II and daughter Melanie Ann (Robertson) Patenaude. Once the kids came along, Shirley decided to dedicate her full attention to the family. She spent her days walking the kids to school, being a room mother and attending school concerts. She also became a fairly accomplished home cook, even impressing Joe's uncle, local restaurateur, Vern Wilder. To help with family finances, she took on seamstress work from home, doing alterations and constructing everything from women’s business wear to wedding gowns. As an extension of her sewing, she often created Hal and Melanie’s Halloween costumes.

As the kids got older, married and had their own families, Shirley maintained an open invitation to Sunday lunch. Often this meant hosting a dozen or more at their table. Her rolls, mashed potatoes, pies and special occasion cakes were all family favorites.

In addition to Hal and his wife Stacey, Melanie and her husband Tony, Shirley leaves behind 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren along with her sister Martha and husband John, brother Earl, a niece and five nephews.

As a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Shirley was loving, caring and always unselfish. To all she encountered, she was patient, forgiving and a servant at heart. While seldom being one to verbalize her emotions, she was the true example of actions speaking louder than words. She is already missed, but the years we had with her will be cherished.

Memorial service will be held on Wednesday 11:00 a.m. at Forest Park Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. John Swadley officiating. Interment will be private at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Forest Park Baptist Church Chapel on Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions are requested to the Forest Park Baptist Church Mission Fund.