Shirley Darr Balkcom

Shirley Darr Balkcom, 88, of Sulphur Springs, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2017. Bright-Holland Funeral Home has scheduled services for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9th, at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs with Rev. Fred Lewis & Rev. Ken Rhodes officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park in Hopkins County. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Mrs. Balkcom, the daughter of Walter Frank & Otha Middaugh Darr, was born Nov. 16, 1928, in Kansas City, MO. She served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. While living in Miami, FL, she worked for the United States Immigration Services. In 1970, the family moved to Morris, GA. For a number of years she was secretary to the president of Andrew College in Cuthbert, GA and then began working for the United States Department of Agriculture until her retirement. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. Shirley married Ichabod Lafayette Balkcom, III, and he preceded her in death in 2008. She was also preceded in death by her parents, three brothers; Frank Darr, Donald Darr and Walter Darr and a sister, Eloise Hardman. Survivors include two children, Carol Abarr & husband Tom of Hampton, GA and Dr. I. L. Balkcom & wife Deborah of Sulphur Springs, grandchildren; Anne Simone, Geoff Abarr & wife Monica, Katie Abarr, Ellen Abarr, “Quint” I. L. Balkcom, V & wife Jennifer and Daniel Balkcom & wife Julie, great grandchildren; Corbin Abarr, Holland Abarr, Lilly Abarr, Ryan Balkcom, Blake Balkcom, Reese Balkcom and Talon Balkcom, one sister, Carol Darr, a sister-in-law, Kitty Childers & husband Norman along with numerous nieces & nephews. Casket bearers will be: Daniel Balkcom, “Quint” I. L. Balkcom, V, Tom Abarr, Geoff Abarr, Steve Smith and Kevin Dixon. The family request that memorials be made to: First Baptist Church, 116 Oak St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 or Hearts of Life Rescue League, P. O. Box 531, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.