Shirley Mae (Miller) Williams, age 94, of Manhattan, KS, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving children on September 26th, 2024, at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan. Beloved Mother to her four children: Debi (John) Hensley of Overland Park, KS; Scott Williams of Topeka, KS; Shari (Jim) Hoy of Fort Lauderdale, FL; and Steve (Ann) Williams of Manhattan, KS. Passing on her kind and loving spirit to her 8 grandchildren known to them as Gram/Grammy: Michael Williams, Adam (Helen) Hensley, Lauren (Greg) Jarrell, Whitney Rashid, Bryce Williams, Ryan Williams, Evan Williams, and Lily (Jason) Hoy-Cohen. Her warm hugs will be missed and always remembered by her 8 great grandchildren: Jack and Emma Hensley, Olivia and Miller Jarrell, Mia and Elliot Rashid, and Kai and Cade Cohen. They will carry on the legacy of love for their sweet GiGi. Together we all rejoice in her 94 years of loving and caring. She was a “Bloom where you were planted” kind of woman and she leaves a legacy of love, strength, and kindness.
Shirley was born May 5th, 1930, in Winside, Nebraska. Her parents moved to Norfolk, Nebraska when she was around 2 yrs old. She was a lifelong Lutheran who began her education at Christ Lutheran School. Her German Grandmother and Mother taught her the fine art of baking which became a passion of Shirley’s. Her four children have yummy memories of all of the cookies, pastries, and donuts she made year-round for family and friends, but especially the assortment at Christmas time.
Faith and food were our Mother’s LOVE Language which her family and friends were so grateful to be the recipients of. Her children credit her for teaching them the power of prayer. Our mother always began and ended every meal with prayer, and you did not go to bed without saying your prayers. As we grew into adults and left home, whenever you talked to her on the phone, her last words were, do not forget your prayers.
One of Shirleys passions was playing the Piano and singing and we were all entertained by her at the piano playing Clair de Lune up until even just a few years ago. Shirley graduated from Norfolk High School and then attended Norfolk Junior College where she graduated in 1950 with an Associate degree in Education. She enjoyed singing with a “Madrigal group” that toured in a number of cities in Nebraska and taught for 6 months in Cambridge, NE before moving back to Norfolk and marrying her sweetheart, Jim Williams. She then taught at the same school she attended as a child, Christ Lutheran School. Shirley and Jim started their family growing to four and eventually moving to Dodge City, Kansas until 3 of the four left for College (Kansas State University). When the last of three left KSU, Mom, Dad and Steve moved to Manhattan in 1977. They were very involved in the community, St. Lukes Lutheran Church, and Children’s Christian Concern Society. July 1999 Mom was awarded a certificate in recognition of her service in the government as she did civil service testing for government jobs. She became a Certified Volunteer Long-Term Care Ombudsman by the Kansas Department on Aging 8.27.97 at the age of 67.
Despite the challenges of raising 4 children, Mom always made time for bridge. Dad was her favorite bridge partner, and they played in many clubs. We think this passion was a close one right behind baking.
There are simply no words to describe the happiness and love our mom exuded. As difficult as it is to watch your dear Mother with dementia, she never lost her happy spirit. As one family member put it, she would light up when we walked in the room and her laugh and loving smile made you feel her love and joy instantly. Even when she struggled with words, she never lost the ability to pray.
The last 5 years of her life were at The Honstead House at Meadowlark where our father also spent the last part of his life. Our Mother and her family were so blessed by the tender love and care everyone gave our mom.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Elsie Frieda (Riggert) Miller, and Winfred Augustav Miller, brother Wallace “Wally” Miller and loving husband and bridge partner, James Hollingsworth “Jim” Williams of 66 years.