Shirley Ann Petty, age 78, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, February 6th, 2022, in Arlington, TX. She was born March 30, 1943, in Shattuck, Oklahoma. In Austin, Texas, in 1959, she married her high school sweetheart, Clifton Petty, who preceded her in death in 2012.
Shirley was baptized in 1966 at Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Brenham, TX with her husband and three children. She was currently a member of Our Savior Ev. Lutheran Church, Arlington, TX.
Shirley was a wonderful mother. A traditional stay-at-home mom, she was patient but forceful when necessary. She was an elementary school room mother for her children and became a second mom to many neighborhood children. She saved S&H Green Stamps, sewed clothing, and drove her children to little league baseball practices and games, and later, to high school theater rehearsals.
She kept her family well-fed with specialties like roast beef, manicotti, and lasagna. Her desserts of lemon meringue pie, German chocolate cake, and layered jello are still fondly remembered.
As her nest emptied, she earned an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies. She became involved with the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse in Oklahoma, eventually serving as the house stage manager for years. Theatre Tulsa later hired her.
She and Clifton, together with his brother Steve and sister-in-law Rosie Petty, founded Special Product Company, a telecommunications engineering and manufacturing firm in 1987. They spent long nights working in their basements, hand-assembling components, never complaining. They moved to the Kansas City area as their company prospered, providing the foundation for their golden years, a great source of pride for both. It enabled them to live part-time on their beloved Maui, where they owned a condo.
Shirley is survived by her sister Ruby, her three children and their spouses: Richard and Dorey Petty, Gary and Karla Petty, and Lisa and Stan Hunt; her grandchildren, Amanda, Zachary, Andrew, Clarissa, Sarah, Spencer, Travis, and Melissa; and eight great-grandchildren.
A visitation for Shirley will be held Friday, February 11, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 South Bowen Road, Arlington, TX 76016. A funeral service will occur Saturday, February 12, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3901 SW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76017.
Flowers are welcome and so are donations, Chimp Haven or the Elephant Sanctuary. Animal sanctuaries were of a personal interest of Shirleys.
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