Shirley Ann Spears

Shirley Anne Emmons was born on September 5, 1929 to Lyman and Marjorie Emmons.  She was the youngest of 6 children and grew up in Lawrenceville, Illinois where her father owned and managed a family funeral home.  Shirley had a beautiful voice and went on to study music at the University of Illinois, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.  During her college years, she met the love of her life, Joe Bob Spears, while he was in Lawrenceville working for Texaco.  

Joe was immediately smitten with Shirley and they married and moved to New York where he continued his career with Texaco.  They eventually settled in Beaumont, Texas when Joe took a job with Texas U.S. Chemical in Port Neches.  They raised their 5 children in Beaumont where Shirley said she felt at home from the first moment they moved there.

Shirley will always be remembered as a sweet and devoted wife and mother.  She was a kind and loyal friend who was dearly loved by all who knew her. Her ability to listen, and never talk about herself, was a characteristic that drew people to her. Those that knew Shirley also loved her practical nature, combined with a great sense of style. But perhaps her most endearing trait was her sense of humor and the ease of her laughter and smile. 

She is survived by her sister Norma and husband Bob Craft of Lawrenceville, IL; and Joe’s sister, Jane and her husband Tyson Payne of Austin, TX; Kyle (son) and Sara Spears of Austin, TX; Elizabeth (daughter) and husband Chuck Swallow of Austin, TX; Chris (son) and Wendy Spears of Houston, TX.  Grandchildren Sam and Ben Spears; Katherine, Collin, and Audrey Swallow; and Chloe, Ethan, and Jacob Spears.  And numerous nieces and nephews whom she adored.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701. 

A funeral service for Mrs. Spears will be held 12:00 p.m., Friday, November 27, 2020, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont. 

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