Shirley Cannon Holley

Shirley Cannon Holley, 89, our beloved Matriarch, Mother, and 'Grams' passed away Thursday Nov 14 in her childhood town of Grapevine, Texas. Her life was very full as a homemaker, teacher, historian, actor, dancer, corporate wife, public speaker, board director, traveler, hay farmer, rancher, horse & cat lover. Above all else though, she loved God and was a friend and mentor to everyone she knew.

Shirley was born in Fort Worth, TX on December 28, 1934, to W.F. Cannon, Jr., and Mary Louise Hanna Cannon. She moved to Grapevine in 1938 when W.F. became Superintendent of Schools, a position he would hold until his sudden death in July 1958. Mr. Cannon was a visionary who believed that education of the children was the most important community responsibility which is how Shirley was instilled with her passion for learning, teaching, and educating so many kids and people throughout her life. Her extensive travel helped broaden her awareness to the needs of others and prompted her to be a docent, archivist, historical tour guide, social interviewer, and English teacher to foreign nationals; as she always said, basically "a professional volunteer."

Shirley spent all her undergraduate years in the Grapevine ISD, earning many academic and cultural awards, representing Grapevine in civic, social, and political events while becoming Salutatorian of the Class of '51. She then received her associate degree in radio/television production from Arlington State College in 1953 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas, Austin in 1955. She accepted her first job as Program Consultant at the Memorial Student Center in College Station where she arranged activities for the Aggie student body. It is there on a blind date where she met her future husband, Cyrus H Holley.

Shirley and Cy were married on August 31, 1957, at the Embree Chapel at the First Baptist Church in Dallas and began a whirlwind life together climbing the corporate ladder and traveling the world. They lived in seven states and Germany during their 50-year marriage finally settling back in Trophy Club, Texas in 1991. Until Cy's death in 2008 they even lived in Aruba part of each year. They had planned to move together to a new community in Southlake called Watermere, but when Cy died Shirley ventured to Watermere by herself taking her ability to make and be a friend to new heights!

Throughout her lifetime Shirley loved sports watching her boys and grandkids play. She particularly liked going to Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys games in person. Her hobbies included reading, playing the piano, and being active until her body would not cooperate. She really could not pass up a good party either, even if it were just 'hanging out' on her porch with friends. She was so happy maintaining great friendships with her childhood Grapevine friends, "the Chickens" as well as the many friends she found at Watermere since 2008. She also was a member of PEO, Bayview Club, and many church affiliations the most recent being White's Chapel Methodist Church. Her relationship with The Lord was paramount and she understood and often mentioned that her many blessings throughout her life were only possible through Christ. Only HE was responsible for her greatest gifts which she saw as her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the many young people she mentored throughout her lifetime.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, W.F., and Mary Louise; her husband, Cyrus; and a number of her beloved "Chicken friends." She is survived by her loving children Barrett Cannon Holley and his wife Beth of Flower Mound; Russell William Holley and his wife Lana of Southlake; by her precious grandchildren Jamie Renee Vossen and her husband Aaron of Grapevine; Hanna Kathryn Holley of El Paso; Hayden William Holley and his wife Mackenzie of North Richland Hills; by her great-grandchildren Pierson, Grayson, and Payton Holley, and Holley and Savannah Vossen. In addition, Shirley is survived by her longtime friend and caregiver Joan Walton, her living "Chicken" friends, many of her "extra" kids that she loved so much; all her Watermere friends; and so many friends still in Aruba that adored her.

Shirley's celebration of life starts with a visitation on Friday Dec 6th at Lucas Funeral Home in Grapevine, TX 6-8pm, her memorial service will be held Saturday Dec 7th at First Grapevine Methodist Church (Founders Chapel) 10am, and her burial will be held for close friends and family at the Lynn Creek Cemetery just north of Jacksboro, TX. In lieu of flowers, a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Shirley is much appreciated.