Shirley Massey Hartless

Shirley was born at her home on Denby Street in Pelly, Texas on a brutally cold day in February, 1933. She was born to her proud parents, Amesses Chandler Massey and James Allen Massey. She attended schools in Pelly and Baytown, graduating from Lee Junior College in 1953. She met the love of her life, Lee Hartless, and both of them transferred to the University of Texas. They married in 1953, and upon Graduation 1956 moved to Freeport, Texas.

Shirley began her teaching career at Clute Jr. High School. She put her teaching career on hold when son James and daughter Melissa were born. The next 15 years were spent as den mother, Brownie Leader, and homeroom mother while joyfully guiding James and Melissa during their school years.

She re-joined the teaching profession at Lake Jackson Intermediate School until retirement. Lee and Shirley were enjoying their retirement years in Bandera and a stint of working at Yellowstone National Park until Lee was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. After Lee’s death, Shirley moved back to Baytown in her grand parents’ 1900 farm home in Cedar Bayou.

Shirley was enjoying herself “playing house” as she called it, until she was diagnosed with cancer. Her family wanted her nearer, so she moved to Avanti Senior Living in Cypress, Texas where she fought a great battle. She made friends and they often remarked of how she stayed so positive during this time. Her favorite mantra was “it is not what God has given you, but how you handle what you are given”.

Shirley is survived by daughter and son in law, Melissa and Art Jansen; granddaughter, Jessica Portwood and husband Colton; grandson, Artie Jansen; great granddaughter, Jansen Portwood; she is also survived by cousins, Gwen Tooke, Jimmy Epperson and wife Eva Joe, Cotton Epperson, Joe Chandler and wife Betty, George Chandler and wife Martha, Jackie Johnson and husband Mike.

Preceding her in death were husband, Lee; son, James; parents, Jim and Amesses; and parents in law Myrtel and Marion Hartless.

Funeral services will take place on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 10:00 am at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX 77521. Interment will follow in Cedarcrest Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.navarrefuneralhome.com for the Hartless family.