Shirley Holley

When ready and on her own terms, Shirley Holley left us peacefully in her sleep on the morning of November 17th , 2024 at the age of 77.

A native Texan, Shirley spent her last few weeks with life-long friends Susan and Jackie, her sister Linda and children Keith and Heather. In her typical fashion, this meant playing Yahtzee ,re-telling old stories and re-arranging her endless supply of pictures and nick-nacks.

Shirley was born on September 2nd, 1947 to William Eugene Harvell and Joyce Anna Shade in Celina, Texas. She would eventually move with her family to Garland, TX where she graduated from Garland High School in 1966.

Shirley is survived by; 6 children (sons, Fred Carlson, Keith Carlson, Dean Carlson (Melissa), Bryan Carlson and Ryan Carlson. 0ne daughter Heather Pender (Jeff), 12 Grandchildren and 5 Great-Grandchildren, a sister; Linda and husband John Holmes and her brother William “Bill” and his wife Sherry Harvell.

Unfortunately, she was preceded by her son Robert “Robbie” Carlson, mother Joyce Carr and father William Harvell.

As with most people, Shirley had her share of “Ups and Downs” on Life’s Highway but was extremely proud of starting college later in life and earning a bachelor’s degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling at the age of 57. Afterwards she went on to become a State Certified Counselor and began working within the field until her retirement in 2015.

Although the family is saddened by her loss, we take comfort in knowing that she will be with her son and parents again while seeking out Elvis to have him sing her a song.