Shirley Ann Blalock

Shirley Blalock, aged 78, passed away in Sachse, TX, on September 14, 2022 from Alzheimer’s disease, to the great devastation of her family. Services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 27, at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst, followed by interment at the DFW National Cemetery.

Shirley was born in 1944 in St Louis, MO, to Edward Gray and Virginia Gray neé Ebeler. She was the oldest of two girls, and her sister Barbara remained her closest and dearest friend until her death in 2008.

Shirley grew up in South County, just outside of St Louis, and was Bayless High School’s Class of 1962 Valedictorian, an academic feat unmatched by anyone in her family before or since, to date. Shirley began working as a bank teller in downtown St Louis and saw the construction of the Gateway Arch in real time during her daily commute. She eventually began working for the US Army Aviation Systems Command, where she met her husband of nearly 55 years, Gene Blalock. Shirley married Gene in November 1967, instantly becoming step-mother at age 23 to Paul and Belinda and in-law to hundreds. Shirley and Gene went on to have three children together: Patrick, Steven, and Sandra, affectionately known as Pat, Steve, and Sandy, in that order. Shirley’s children were her pride and purpose and she embraced motherhood as her life’s work. She was the ultimate mom and homemaker, and the organization and love that it took to manage her household through the years should be neither underestimated nor overlooked.

Due to Gene’s work with the Corps of Engineers, Shirley lived all over the country, and even Saudi Arabia, before finally settling in North Richland Hills, TX, in the mid-1980s. When Shirley’s children were older, she re-entered the workforce, working for American Greetings maintaining the greeting cards section in local stores in the Mid-Cities. She then worked at the Sears package pickup at North East Mall in Hurst, TX, and many of her children’s friends recall seeing her behind the counter there. Shirley later worked for Capital One credit cards in the customer service center, eventually moving into the fraud department, a perfect fit for her fastidious nature. She retired from Capital One in the early 2000s and enjoyed a happy retirement with her husband, children, and grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.

Shirley was a lifelong faithful Christian, and spent most of her adult life as a member of the United Methodist Church, many years of which were spent at Davis Memorial UMC in North Richland Hills, TX. She loved going to church and singing hymns, despite never being able to carry a tune. She loved the season of Advent, Palm Sunday, and a good sermon. She believed in the kingdom of Heaven and if anyone is deserving of admittance, it is surely Shirley.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, and her grandson James Blalock. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gene Blalock; children Pat Blalock, Steve Blalock, and Sandy Smith (Andy); step-children Paul Blalock (Kelé) and Belinda Blalock Brunson (Paul); grandchildren Chase Blalock (Lacy) and Chelsea Blalock, Colby Blalock, Colton Thompson, Abby and Millie Smith; cousin Bill Ebeler; two great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

The family appreciates any way you feel moved to honor our dear Shirley, as she loved flowers, plants, and trees. However, if you wish to make a donation in her name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) or Alzheimer’s Association, we would be honored.