Dates
Yvonne Click Shirley, age 90, walked into God's arms on Easter Sunday 2017. To the many people whose lives she touched throughout her walk on this earth, she was most certainly a precious gift.
Born to James Alexander Louis Click and Nancy Elizabeth Burton Click on November 6, 1926, in Winters, Texas, Yvonne spent most of her life in San Angelo. She graduated from Lake View High School in 1944 and worked as a telephone operator at General Telephone Company.
As the oldest of four siblings, Yvonne was the beloved big sister. Family gatherings of the Click family often included laughter, teasing, and good food. She never stopped being concerned for her younger siblings' health and well-being. They all have wonderful memories of their precious big sister. She meant the world to Jimmy, Valton, and Marcia; their children also dearly loved their "Aunt Von."
Yvonne often smiled when she recalled a pivotal moment: meeting the love of her life, Miaron Shirley. It was wartime, and a handsome airman just happened to choose Bethel Baptist Church for his church home. At a meeting for young people, Yvonne and Miaron were matched up for a get-acquainted walk around the community. When they passed the location of what is now the family residence, Yvonne's "date" finally summoned the courage to ask her age. Knowing she was obviously younger than the soldier, but still hopeful he wouldn't think she was too young for him, Yvonne remembered she said, "I'm fifteen, but I'm almost sixteen." That was good enough for Miaron, and after a courtship of several years, Yvonne left her family, boarded a bus to San Antonio where Miaron was then stationed, and married her sweetheart. They were married by T. Gerald Cates, who later became a pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. At their fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration, Pastor Cates officiated at the renewal of vows for Miaron and Yvonne. Their marriage went on to last sixty-five years until Miaron's passing in 2011. Up until his last days, he still called her his sweetheart. She returned the sentiment by writing in her journal that when he passed away, she lost the best part of herself.
Miaron and Yvonne Shirley were parents to three children, Sharon, Karen, and Glenn. Throughout the years, Yvonne's love of her family and friends endeared her to everyone. She was a loving, accepting, gentle mother, and her life served as a model for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who followed through the years. She was "Mammaw," and she loved all of them equally.
Yvonne was the homemaker described in Proverbs 31:10-31. Her penchant for order in her home and in the lives of her family was demonstrated daily. Meals were on time, everything had a place, and the Shirley home was a stable and welcoming place, not only for the three children who lived there, but also for anyone who needed kind words or refuge.
Even in the years of failing health, she always clung to her faith in God, His plan for her life, and His promise for a future with Him. It is an affirmation of this promise that Yvonne's passing was on the same day as we celebrate our Lord's resurrection. It brings peace to her family members to know we will surely meet her again.
Survivors include her children and their spouses, Sharon and Duane Helweg of San Angelo, Karen and Bobby Payne of Burleson, and Glenn, Sr. and Linda Shirley of San Angelo; brothers, Jim and Jan Click of Midland, Valton and Brenda Click of Abilene, and sister, Marcia Dye of San Angelo. Mammaw is also survived by her grandchildren and their spouses, Angela and Michael Byers of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Brian and Joy Salling of Fort Worth, Kristen and David Waters of Llano, Robby Payne of Burleson, Glenn, Jr. of San Angelo, and Deja Gonzales of San Angelo. Great-grandchildren include Alannah and Lindsey Byers of Tulsa, Jonathan Shirley of San Angelo, Sawyer, Chloe and Violet Salling of Fort Worth, Jazmin and Bella Gonzales of San Angelo, Erin and Kyle Waters of Llano; treasured nieces, Cheryl Lankford of San Angelo and Lori Dye of Lubbock, and a host of other family and friends.
Family Visitation will be Wednesday, April 19, 2017, from 7 PM to 9 PM at Johnson's Funeral Home. The funeral service will take place at 1:00 PM on April 20, 2017, at Lifepoint Baptist Church with the burial to follow at Fairmount Cemetery.
The family requests memorials be made to Bethel Baptist Church or Lifepoint Baptist Church.