Shirley Ann Campbell

Shirley Ann Campbell was born in Houston, Texas on February 16, 1945 to Iris Virginia Casselman Campbell and James Alexander Campbell. She died November 8, 2022. She is survived by her sisters, Janis Evans and Carol Jones, her niece and nephews: Jay Evans, Jill Gentry and Douglas Jones; her great nieces and nephews: Carley Hillis, Amber and Quinten Gentry, Jake, Zane, Tyler, and Cash Jones.

She moved with her parents to Dallas in 1947, where Shirley grew up in Oak Cliff, attending South Oak Cliff High School. She received a BS degree in Education at TCU in 1967, and her Master degree in Library Science at North Texas State University in 1970.

With the exception of a year of teaching missionary children in Korea, her whole career was spent as a librarian. She was born one, as she put her family books in order and gave them cards and pockets for her sisters to check them out while still in elementary school. She served at all levels of public schools in the first years of her career, as well as a year or so at a couple of public libraries, but the last 30+ years were as a medical librarian at the VA Medical Center. While there, Shirley wrote the history of the first 50 years of the Dallas VA, “50 Years of Pride in Serving America's Best, Our Veterans! 1940-1990.” She also developed the Courtesy in Action program and published anniversary pamphlets for the 60th and 70th anniversaries. She was a co-compiler of the national VA publication, Vietnam Bibliography, 1985, which was a listing of both medical and non-medical publications of literature dealing with aspects of the Vietnam War.

While at the VA, Shirley received an annual national VA award, the Leadership VA Alumni Association Exemplary Service Award in 1999; the Unsung Heroine Award in1989 a local award presented to her in the first year the award was established; and the Outstanding Woman Award for Leadership in 1988 from the local VAMC Federal Women's Program. Shirley also served as accompanist for the VA worship services and other programs, until the pandemic in 2020

Shirley was active in her church, Oak Cliff Presbyterian, helping with music for the children and youth, a youth-oriented Wednesday night program, accompanying worship on occasion and served as an elder for many years. She took great joy in planning annual celebrations for Halloween and Christmas. She served as librarian for OCPC, cataloging the entire library and organizing it. She served as an OCPC representative member of the Board of Directors for Mi Escuelita Preschool, 1982 – 1990. Shirley was also active with the North Texas Chapter of the Church & Synagogue Library Association, serving as President for 1992-94 and holding other offices through the years. Shirley spent 2 years taking a Presbyterian course to be eligible to be a lay pastor in a smaller church, but used the skills and knowledge at her own church.

In lieu of flowers you can make a donation to Trumpets4Kids by going to their website, trumpets4kids.com, or mailing a check to Trumpets4Kids, 2627 W. Wentwood, Carrollton, Tx, 75007 in Shirley Campbell's name.

A graveside service for Shirley will be held Monday, November 14, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Laurel Land Mem Park - Dallas, 6300 S. R.L. Thornton Frwy., Dallas, TX 75232.

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