April 23, 1936 ~ July 15, 2022 (age 86)
Obituary
On Friday, July 15, 2022, Shirley Marie Godsey Joiner, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, passed away at the age of 86.
Shirley was born on April 23, 1936, in Athens, Texas to Raymond and Flora (Hudgins) Godsey. She received her Doctor of Philosophy from Texas A & M in curriculum design and education. She taught at Stephen F. Austin State University, Angelina College, and Eastern New Mexico University in Roswell and Portales, New Mexico. On May 20, 1955, she married the love of her life, Dean Joiner. They raised four children, Ramona, Rick, Donna and Carla.
Shirley was a passionate book-lover. It was in her DNA to educate. Her father read Aristotle to her at a very young age which started her love of reading. She combined her love of books and knowledge to educate family, friends and community. She was known for her generosity, kindness and compassionate heart.
Shirley was active in her community. She was a Cub Scout den mother, instrumental in bringing mental health services to Nacogdoches County, proactive child abuse prevention, and civil rights. At the University of New Mexico Medical School she was coordinator of Longitudinal Research in the United States and 15 foreign countries. She served on the board of countless organizations and received numerous awards for her accomplishments.
Her greatest joy in life was her family to whom her love and generosity were endless. She was fiercely determined, a world traveler, and always gracious.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Dean, her son Rick, and her daughter, Carla. Also her parents and her brothers Raymond (Buck) and Ellwyn (Dusty) Godsey. She is survived by her daughters, Ramona and Donna, grandchildren Deana Weaver, and husband Cody, Austin Haddox, and Jennifer, great granddaughters Brooke Callahan, and husband Joshua and Danielle Cunningham and husband Seth, and great-great granddaughters, Coraliee, Mavis and Halsey. She is also survived by her brother, Don Godsey and wife Carol, and numerous nieces and nephews who loved and adored her. Additionally she is survived by her 1,647 books.
Pallbearers are Austin Haddox, Cody Weaver, Joshua Callahan, Seth Cunningham, Danny Weaver and David Wilson. Honorary Pallbearers are Jerry Dean Joiner, Scott Godsey, Jason Godsey and Ryan Godsey.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 am Monday, July 18, 2022 at Laird Funeral Home on South Street in Nacogdoches, Texas. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Sunday, July 17, 2022 at Laird Funeral Home.
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A Memor