Shirley attended Austin schools, including Palm Elementary, Allen Junior High, and Austin High School, graduating in 1944. She played in the Austin High School Band the first year girls were accepted, and the year Austin High School won the State Football Finals. Due to gasoline shortages during World War II, the Band was not allowed to travel, but played and marched at House Park Stadium. She entered the University of Texas in September 1944 at age 16. She studied piano with Mr. Charles Stokes and Miss Miriam Gordon Landrum who established the Texas School of Fine Arts. She accompanied members of the University of Texas Voice Department, beginning in 1946.
Shirley married James Clark Peek of Montgomery, Alabama in January, 1950.
She had two boys. Robert J. Peek was born in Pennsylvania, 1953. They lived in Montgomery, Alabama, Austin, Texas and Hokaido, Japan. John R. Peek was born in Misawa, Japan, 1959. They lived in Burlington, Vermont until Jim's retirement from the United States Air Force in 1962.
Shirley worked as a secretary in Austin while Jim attended the University of Texas. Shirley worked at the Texas Railroad Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Legislature. She worked in the Legislature for Representative Tim Von Dohlen of Goliad, and Senator Lindon Williams of Houston, among others. Shirley retired and moved to Lakeway, Texas in 1984.
Shirley was an avid golfer, a member of the Lakeway Ladies Golf Association. She served on the Board of Directors of the Lakeway Yacht and Country Club for three years, and was a Charter Member of the Greater Lakeway Women's Association. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, and cooking.
Shirley had two granddaughters, Diana Marie Peek, and Lara Ellen Peek. She had numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley had two brothers, Victor Edgar Ray, deceased, and Charles W. Ray, deceased. She had one sister, Janice Ray Minor. Shirley's family in Montgomery, Alabama are Fred and Jo Peek, Beth Peek, and Joel Peek.
Shirley routinely made donations to the American Cancer Society and the Public Broadcasting Service.
A Memorial Reception will be Friday, May 7, 2021 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Magnolia Room at Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis, 411 RR 620 South. She will join Jim in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.
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