Sami Louise Shirley

Sami Louise Shirley of Ingleside, Texas departed this earth on July 16, 2024 for an eternal life in Heaven, where she reunited with her many family and friends as they rejoiced in welcoming her home. 

 Born in Yazoo City, Mississippi on December, 9, 1940 to Joseph Brinson Stringer and Lela Durham Stringer, Sami moved to Aransas Pass, Texas her junior year of high school. She immediately made lifelong friends among her classmates and later married her APHS sweetheart, Troy Edward Shirley. 

Sami is preceded in death by both her parents and husband Troy; brothers Jesse Lee Stringer of Chicago, Illinois, Joseph Bruce Stringer of Aransas Pass and John Douglas Stringer of Gulfport, Mississippi; sisters Ruth Hal McClelland Groff of Jackson, Mississippi and Naomi Blaine Bonorden of Aransas Pass. 

 Sami cared deeply about the welfare of her community and used her innate talents to positively touch many untold lives, through volunteering, championing a cause and holding leadership positions in a number of professional and civic organizations.

 She received the “Key to the City” and Certificate of Commendation for exemplary service as first City Council Woman in the history of Aransas Pass, including serving one year as Mayor Pro Tem.

 Sami was twice President of the Aransas Pass Woman's Club (1972-74 and 1990-92) and a District Life Member in the South Texas Federation of Woman's Club having served five administrative terms. She was a Life Long Honorary Member of The Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce.

 She served on San Patricio County Child Welfare's Executive Board, was the organizer and co-chair hosting Silver Tea Fundraisers benefiting foster children. She received the Cystic Fibrosis Research Service award for her dedication to raising awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Sami's tender heart did not want any child to suffer and she helped when and where she could. 

She cared about animals, especially horses, dogs and cats. When Aransas Pass needed a no-kill shelter, she found a donor (Art Benson) so that the SPCA in Aransas Pass could be built. She did her part to make sure that animals in need had the opportunity to find a good home. Due to her death, her own precious cat is waiting for adoption at the SPCA now.... Sami would be eternally grateful to the family who brings him home to love. 

 A Registered Dental Hygienist (University of Texas at Houston graduate), she served as Past President of Corpus Christi District Dental Hygienists Association. Many Texas residents of Aransas Pass, Rockport, Portland , Corpus Christi and Killeen had their teeth cleaned in Sami’s dental chair during her long professional career.

 Sami was much loved by those who survive her - daughters, Elizabeth Kay Shirley of Ingleside, Texas and Brenda Anne Shirley Harris along with husband Todd Harris of Southern Pines, NC; Grandsons Benjamin Troy Locker of Richmond, VA and Jonathan Ross Locker of Pittsburgh, PA; granddaughter Amanda Marie Locker of Pittsburgh, PA; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; Shirley Family in-laws; long time care-giver, Lori Gilden; and life-long friends both near and far. 

 Her life will be honored and celebrated at a memorial service on August 3, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Charlie Marshal Funeral home in Aransas Pass, Texas. 

The family asks that expressions of sympathy be directed to The SPCA - Sandra Sue Benson Animal Adoption Center, P. O. Box 1693, Aransas Pass, Texas 78335

Lastly, the family would like to thank Harbor Hospice for their kindness and care in Sami's last days. She suffered from advanced stage Parkinson's Disease and Hospice helped tremendously in easing her pain. We are so grateful.