Loved and cherished by her family, Shirley Jo Isom Webb Barnes of Papillion, Nebraska, formerly of Denison, Texas, peacefully left her earthly vessel to join her Heavenly Father on Saturday March 5, 2022 at the age of 86.
Shirley was born at home on Christmas Day in Denison, Texas on December 25, 1935. She was the daughter of the late Edna Mae Isom Webb and Emery Louis Webb, and the eldest of four siblings.
Shirley was a gentle spirit with a joyful heart, and one of the kindest and most giving women you could ever know. She was a woman of unshakable faith, amazing grace, endless wisdom, and if you were blessed enough to know her, she would have left a smile in your heart. Shirley enjoyed life even when it was difficult, and especially when it came to spending time with her cherished family and friends. She had a life-long love affair with writing and reading poetry, winning at bingo, banana pudding, beans and cornbread, and western movies… especially those with John Wayne. You always knew when Shirley was around by her signature scent of Windsong perfume… we still get a scent now and then. Shirley had a marvelous memory for poetry and wrote many poems herself. Here’s one of the last one’s she wrote…

“What did we do without T.V.?
We sat on the porch and sipped iced tea.
We talked to each other and laughed a lot.
The children played marbles and sidewalk hopscotch.
Life was better without T.V.”
 
Shirley enjoyed several hobbies, volunteering her time, and working. Throughout the years she had several jobs. Her first was at Loi-Mac Pharmacy in Denison, Texas. It was there behind the soda fountain scooping ice cream that she became smitten with a young gentleman named Wesley “Gene” Barnes. After many conversations at the soda fountain, and watching movies at The Star Theater, they soon fell in love and were married on Halloween night, October 31, 1953. Shirley also enjoyed working at Pillsbury… yes, she knew the Pillsbury Doughboy, several women’s fashion shops, ToMorrow’s Fashions being her favorite, and teaching Sunday School. She also loved embroidery, singing, and the Red Hat Society.
Shirley is survived by her favorite daughter Marsha, and husband Tom Whiting, the son she always wanted, of Omaha, Nebraska ~ Her beloved granddaughter Tosha, who together would make the best fudge ever, and husband Scott Winey, who she thought hung the moon ~ Her beloved grandson Josh Whiting who treated her like the queen she was, and wife Kimberly, who she so admired ~ Her precious great-grandchildren who always brought a smile to her heart, Tristan and Adrianna, Halie, Brooklyn, and Brityn Winey of Denison, Iowa, Macy and Brayden Whiting of Omaha, Nebraska, and great-great-grandchildren Abel and Axton Winey of Denison, Iowa. She is also survived by her dear sister and brothers ~ Brenda and husband Larry Harbour of Denison, Texas, and brothers, Aubrey Webb and wife Tresa of Brookeland, Texas, Buford Webb and wife Loyce of Denison, Texas, Lindsey Webb of Denison, Texas, and brother-in-law, Marvin Barnes of Ranger, Texas. Shirley is also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and several furbabies too.
Shirley’s husband Gene preceded her in death in 2011. However, they are now busy making up for lost time in their heavenly home. What a joyous homecoming!
A special thank you to those who brought Shirley joy throughout the years, those who were always there for her in time of need, to her family of dedicated nurses and staff at The Papillion Manor in Papillion, Nebraska, to the caring and professional staff at Fisher Funeral Home, to Pastor Roger Speer, and last, but not least, to Papa God, who has given Shirley, and all of us, an eternal home.
 
We’ll end by sharing Shirley’s favorite life quote…
“Que Sera, Sera!”
 
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday March 18, 2022, with Pastor Roger Speers officiating at Fairview Cemetery Chapel, 1501 State Hwy. 91 N, Denison, TX 75020. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.