(From Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home)“Grandmother” as she was lovingly called by all her grandchildren & great-grands, Shirley LaVerne Shemwell Virdon, age 93, of Springfield, departed this life peacefully at home with her family by her side on Saturday, March 16, 2024, to be reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, William “Bill” Virdon, whom she missed terribly since his passing in November 2021.
Shirley was born on August 27, 1930, to Clyde and Trulla (Hudson) Shemwell in Neelyville, Missouri, where she lived until she left to attend Southeast Missouri State College (now University). She graduated from SEMO in 1951 with a Bachelor’s in Education.
Her first teaching position was at West Plains High School where her students introduced her to Bill Virdon, an up and coming professional baseball player. It was love at first sight, and they were married six weeks later on November 17, 1951. Their marriage was to last 70 years! Shirley and Bill raised 3 daughters, Deborah, Linda & Lisa, in Springfield, where they moved from West Plains in December 1960.
Shirley was the epitome of the perfect baseball wife, and developed numerous long-term friendships across the country during Bill’s tenure as a MLB player, coach and manager with the Cardinals, Pirates, Yankees, Astros, and Expos, which she continued until her passing. She loved traveling to spring training every year (with girls in tow) and renewing the friendships she had missed during the baseball off-season.
Shirley was the epitome of the perfect baseball wife, and developed numerous long-term friendships across the country during Bill’s tenure as a MLB player, coach and manager with the Cardinals, Pirates, Yankees, Astros, and Expos, which she continued until her passing. She loved traveling to spring training every year (with girls in tow) and renewing the friendships she had missed during the baseball off-season.
When the girls’ school was out each spring, they would all travel to the location where Bill was playing, coaching, or managing for the summer. They would then travel back to Springfield in time for school to start in the fall. After the girls were all out of high school, she would spend most of the baseball season with Bill, whether it be in Pittsburgh, New York, Houston, or Montreal. Even after Bill retired from managing, they would still go to spring training each February where he would be an instructor.
In addition to her baseball life, where she was active in the Pinch Hitters charitible organization, Shirley was active in her daughters’ schools’ PTA, Campfire Girls, King’s Way United Methodist Church, Board of the Springfield Family Y, Meals On Wheels, Eastern Star, PEO, American Heart Association, SMMA Art Group, bridge club, and a number of other organizations where she developed many long-lasting friendships. She was also an active supporter and attendee at Missouri State and Drury basketball and baseball games, and frequently attended Springfield Cardinals games. She was a loyal spectator at all of her children’s, grandchildren’s & great-grandchildren’s sports activities, as well as their musical, academic and other events. She loved being the matriarch of her family and especially enjoyed the large family get-togethers at Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, and numerous birthday celebrations. She definitely loved her family, and they all loved her!
In addition to her baseball life, where she was active in the Pinch Hitters charitible organization, Shirley was active in her daughters’ schools’ PTA, Campfire Girls, King’s Way United Methodist Church, Board of the Springfield Family Y, Meals On Wheels, Eastern Star, PEO, American Heart Association, SMMA Art Group, bridge club, and a number of other organizations where she developed many long-lasting friendships. She was also an active supporter and attendee at Missouri State and Drury basketball and baseball games, and frequently attended Springfield Cardinals games. She was a loyal spectator at all of her children’s, grandchildren’s & great-grandchildren’s sports activities, as well as their musical, academic and other events. She loved being the matriarch of her family and especially enjoyed the large family get-togethers at Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, and numerous birthday celebrations. She definitely loved her family, and they all loved her!
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, and her brother, Ron Shemwell.
She is survived by her 3 daughters, Deborah Lutes (Gary) of Springfield, Linda Holmes (William) of Springfield, and Lisa Brown (Kevin) of Rogersville, her grandchildren, Shannon Merced, Mandie O’Hara (Chris), Andrew Miller, Brett Holmes (Jodie), Christina Elsenraat (Jeff), Michelle Viles (Nick), Scotty Brown (Paige), and her great-grandchildren, Robbie Merced, Lauren O’Hara, Courtnie Miller, Chloe Merced, Austin O’Hara, Ashton Isbell, Camryn Miller, Paige Elsenraat, Ella Viles, Savannah Holmes, Will Elsenraat, Harper Holmes, and Ryan Elsenraat, her nieces and nephews, Cindy Shemwell Lee, Steven Shemwell, David Andrews, Bill Andrews, and Cathy Andrews, as well as many extended family.
She is also survived by her dear long-time friends from her time in West Plains, Springfield and across the country, the wonderful staff at Turner's Rock Senior Living Community, and the many excellent caregivers from Phoenix Home Health who became like family to her, especially Jessica, who was with her round the clock for her final days until she passed. She dearly loved you all! A big thanks goes to the Reverend David Jerome & his wife, Kathy, for their unwavering support and devotion to our mother and grandmother in the last several years. She loved you both like her own family!
Arrangements are being handled by Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home (gormanscharpf.com). A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life presided over by the Reverend David Jerome will be held at Twin Oaks Country Club, 1020 East Republic Road in Springfield, from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m., and preceded by a Visitation starting at 1:30. A private family inurnment will be held at the King’s Way Church Columbarium prior to the Visitation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Shirley’s memory to any of the following charities: The Rett Syndrome Research Trust (rsrt.org), PKD Foundation (pkdcure.org) a Baseball/Softball or Teachers Scholarship Fund at Missouri State University, Missouri State-West Plains, Drury University, Southeast Missouri State University, or Mission University, Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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