Shirle Ann Saxton, 88, of Little Rock passed away June 19, 2024. She was born April 17, 1936 in Jerseyville, Illinois to the late Clemens Henry and Lucille Agnes (Pranger) Schleper. In addition to her parents, Shirle was welcomed in Heaven by her husbands, Boyd O. Barton and Richard H. Saxton; and her brothers, Clemens H. Jr., and John R. Schleper.
Shirle graduated from Jersey County High School in 1954. She later pursued her Bachelor’s in accounting from the Shurtleff College. She married her first husband, Edward A. May Sr., in 1960 and they had one son, Ed Jr. in 1961. After their divorce, Shirle married Boyd Barton, who she stayed with until his passing in 1988. She then married Richard “Sax” Saxton in 1994 until his passing in 2007.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, Shirle made significant strides in her career, beginning as a teller for Alton Savings and Loan and eventually retiring as the interim president of the company. During her retirement in the 1980s, Shirle pursued her passion for aviation and earned her pilot’s license. She owned a private plane named “Whiskey” until she sold it in 1985 when she and her second husband, Boyd, moved to Little Rock. After Boyd’s passing a few years later, Shirle married Richard “Sax” and worked as his bookkeeper for Smith’s Country Club Drug Store on Kavanaugh Blvd in Little Rock.
An avid golfer in her spare time, Shirle loved competing and spending time with Sax and her friends on the green. Shirle was a devoted Catholic and enjoyed attending Sunday Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church. If not on the golf course or at church, you would most likely find Shirle tending to her plants and garden. Just a few years ago she single-handedly redid her patio and the garden around it. Above all else, Shirle’s pride and joys were her son, Ed and her dog, Bella. Shirle was known for her dry and sarcastic wit, traits cherished by those who knew her.
Those left to cherish the memories of Shirle include her son, Ed (Melissa) May Jr. of Houston, Texas; step-children, Jane Storms of Sunrise, Florida, James (Eleanor) Saxton of Little Rock, and Clinton (Mary) Saxton of Memphis, Tennessee; grandchildren, Devan Bingham of San Francisco, California and Dylan Bingham of Austin, Texas; her beloved dog, Bella; and several extended family and friends.
Shirle will be laid to rest at Christ the King Catholic Church’s Columbarium. Arrangements by Griffin-Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home.
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