Shirley Kent

Shirley Frances Norman Kent passed from this earthly home to her heavenly home on February 26^th, 2024, at St. Anthony’s Care Center in Waco, TX.  

The visitation will be held directly before the funeral service. Visitation will be at 10am and the funeral service will be at 11am February 29^th, 2024 at the Pecan Grove Funeral Home in Robinson, TX.  Following the service, the burial will be at Concord Cemetery 840 Maehr Rd. Waco, TX.

 Shirley was 85 at the time of her passing, just a few days short of her 86th birthday.   She was born on March 4^th, 1938, in Axtell, TX at their home on County Line Rd where the doctor only charged five dollars for his service to deliver her!  She grew up in Axtell until the 4^th grade when her family then moved out to the farm in China Springs, TX.  Shirley learned all about farm life and picking cotton.  She later graduated from China Springs and went on to work at Oliver Goldsmith’s in downtown Waco.  

Shirley met and captured the heart of Eugene Kent, taking him away from all of the China Spring girls.  At one time, the girls had made a pact that none of them would date him anymore. But Shirley couldn’t say no and went out with Eugene, and the rest was history.   Eugene always told her that he had to go through all the rest to find the best, and we agree that he found the jewel!   They married on September 27, 1957, at the Larsen’s home in Axtell, TX.  They were together till the bonds of death broke their tie of 66 years.  She is survived by her husband Wilburn Eugene Kent of Hewitt, TX.

Shirley loved her two daughters, Norma Jean Bounds & husband Mackie, and Sharon Kelley & husband Eugene, very much.  But her grandchildren were a delight to her.  From two daughters, they had 6 grandchildren; Kent Bounds & wife Valerie, Suzanne McDaniel & husband Jesse, Crystal Lane & husband Jeff, Melissa Kelley, Kimberly Walker & husband Phillip, and Dustin Kelley.   Then came 14 great grandchildren who brought lots of smiles and delight to her.  She leaves behind great grandchildren:  Brianna, Autumn, Lorien, Rohan, Mason, Loralee, Lyla, Kayrie, Maybrie, Jaylee, Yishai, Josiah, Francie, & Oaklyn, and honorary grandchild, Alexis.

Shirley loved & admired her two older brothers, GB Norman & wife Marlene, and Wayne Norman & wife Nell. Preceding her in death were her parents, GB & Opal Norman, and her brother, GB Earl Norman.

She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.   The pallbearers will be her grandsons Kent Bounds & Dustin Kelley, and grandson-in-laws Jeff Lane, Jesse McDaniel, & Phillip Walker, and nephews Ron Norman, Stanley and Douglas Norman.   Honorary pallbearers will be great grandsons Mason Lane & Rohan McDaniel. 

Shirley’s mama taught her about the love of Jesus Christ and on May 24th, 1964, she made the best decision of her life; to be baptized & walk in the newness of life.  She, along with her Dad, GB Norman, was baptized by JC Hayes at the Holly Vista Church of Christ in Waco, TX.  Sundays spent in worship became a regular for Shirley. She loved all her church family at Lorena Church of Christ in Lorena, TX and they loved her.  Shirley was a Christian woman that lived the message of Jesus Christ every day, both inside & outside the Church house doors.   Even as her health failed her, she still found great joy in being taken to Church services on Sunday mornings.   Her shining light will be greatly missed.

If you knew Shirley well, then you knew she loved finding a good bargain, going to garage sales, having garage sales, & going to the flea market.   And, she loved planning outings with the grandchildren and her daughters.  Zoo trips, visiting Cameron Park, playing in the Springs,  and eating at Pancho’s & Burger King were high on her list.   Shirley cooked many meals for her children and grandchildren, many times at the last minute when they’d drop by, she would have tacos appear on the table.  She was a great cook and her Fried Pies, Tea Cakes, Peach Cobblers, Meringue pies, & German Chocolate Cake was the best!  Shirley enjoyed working outside in her yard, planting flowers, and tending to her vegetable garden.  She loved being a homemaker as her daughters grew up, sewing many dresses for them & teaching them life skills.  She always had a hot meal on the table when her husband came home from work, and supper time was time for the family to sit around the table & enjoy each other’s company.  Shirley’s great example will live on in the legacy she leaves behind.

A very special thanks goes to St. Anthony Care Center Nurses, CNAs, and Staff for all the love and care they gave to Shirley during her time with them.   Everyone treated her and Dad so kindly. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Shirley’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.