Shirley Yvonne Vest

Shirley Yvonne Vest was born on November 24, 1936, in Moorehead, Kentucky. Sadly she passed away on December 6, 2014, peacefully in her sleep. She is survived by:

Sisters: Geneva Hayes, Ruth Rowlett, Julie Bielki, Mary Jo Koehler, Millie Ledbetter

Husband: Larry D. Vest

Children: Raymond W. Turner, Shelly Y. Lucas, Rodney Vest, Jasmine Vest

Grandchildren: Zack Turner, Kelsey Turner, Erin Turner, Bryan Lucas, Robert L. Lucas (deceased at 22 yrs. old)

Great Grandchildren: Caden Turner, Elle Rose Turner, Tammbra Smith, Desmond G. Brown

Shirley had a total of 11 brothers and sisters.

She was buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, Arizona, 85024.

Shirley was raised during the “Great Depression.” Both of her parents were licensed ministers. Her mother loved gardening, canning, cooking and sewing, which her daughter took up as well. Shirley was a wonderful seamstress, making clothes for her family. She learned to upholstery, reinvented many sofas, chairs, etc. It took many years to convince Shirley that instant cake mixes were good and a whole lot easier. When her husband became diabetic, she stepped up to the plate and helped him control it by diet alone, which consisted of fresh steamed vegetables, fresh healthy bread and muffins. Shirley learned how to make homemade peanut butter and yogurt. She definitely picked up her mother’s love of cooking as well.

Shirley taught Ballroom Dancing Classes. She had the patience to sew Barbie clothes; she crocheted many different items from blankets to angels and flowers. When Shirley and Shelly started canning jams and jellies, we took turns stirring the hot, boiling fruit for over an hour and later learned that Pectin thickens the fruit almost instantly. We had such a good laugh.

She held jobs such as cashier, waitress, and bartender and in her later years, temple worker in her church. She lived in Kentucky, Ohio, England, Wyoming and Arizona. At the age of 28 years old, she became very sick with mono and then arthritis, which changed her life forever. She now had many challenges of dealing with this disease and the pain associated with it. Shirley loved animals, she always had a dog in her home. She married at the age of 15 with her parents’ permission. She had two children and divorced in 1968. Shirley married Larry D. Vest in 1977.

When you entered her home she always made you feel welcome and tried to feed you, hungry or not, she wanted to share with you. She treasured her family, their reunions and the kids always touched her heart. Shirley loved to read and learn through classes in tailoring, yoga, belly dancing for exercise and dough art. She was a Softball Coach and a Girl Scout Leader. She loved gardening, decorating and remodeling her home(s).

Shirley would always try to help others anyway she could. In her final days, her kidneys were failing and she came down with dementia. She suffered horrible pain. As much as we loved her and will miss her always…. we are glad she is no longer suffering so badly. We feel she will be an angel watching over her family, until we meet again. With great love, respect, rest in peace Shirley, Mother, Wife, Sister, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Friend…… your loving family.