Shirley Anne (Cline) Brown

Shirley Cline Brown, age 98, of Amarillo died March 26,2022 in Lubbock, Texas. Services will be held Friday April 1st at 2:00, First Baptist Church with Corky Holland officiating. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia, Amarillo Texas.

Shirley was born on October 4, 1923 in Denver, Colorado to Gordon and Grace Cline. The youngest of 7 children, Shirley Anne, was doted on by her older sisters with handsewn dresses and expression lessons and tormented by her older brothers with threats of selling her to the “rag-man”. At age 4 Shirley and her family moved to Amarillo where she would remain until health issues brought her to Lubbock in 2017.  Growing up Shirley was a fan of the movies describing herself as “starstruck”.  She and a childhood friend dreamed of moving to Hollywood where her friend would act and Shirley would be her manager. Shirley was also always a very good student and was proclaimed by one of her teachers as the “last and best of the Cline children”.

After graduating from Amarillo High School in 1941, Shirley attended Amarillo College where she spent time as co-editor of the Amarillo College newspaper, The Ranger. After graduating from Amarillo College in 1943, Shirley worked at Headquarters of Amarillo Air Force Base in the Sergeant Major’s office where she was a vital part of the war efforts. After the end of WWII, a blind date with a sharply dressed war veteran would change Shirley’s life forever. Shirley knew of Bill because they both grew up in Amarillo, but until that first date the two had never met. Although legend has it, they were in the same first grade class at Margaret Wills Elementary where Bill tried to kiss her. Shirley and Bill’s courtship was short as the two had found their person and on June 15, 1947 the two were married at Polk Street Methodist Church. Shirley and Bill would be married for 50 years until Bill’s death in 1998.

Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, but she was also a devoted daughter, sister, friend and volunteer. She joined the Northwest Hospital Auxiliary in September of 1982 and served as president and other positions until health issues forced her to retire in 2017. And in 2019, the hospital bestowed upon her the Emeritus Award in recognition of a steadfast commitment and inspired contribution of over 16,000 volunteer hours. Shirley was also a member of First Baptist Church and the Harriet Strimple Sunday School Class. She was also a member of the Heritage Choir and the Heritage Club at First Baptist.

Shirley triumphed over many obstacles in her long life tackling each one with strength, grace and grit. In 1984 Shirley underwent a tedious surgery to remove a benign acoustic neuroma resulting in unilateral hearing loss and facial paralysis stealing part of her big beautiful smile. With the support of Bill and sheer determination, Shirley didn’t let these losses keep her from volunteering, traveling and tending to grandchildren. And Shirley was never away from Bill’s side as numerous surgeries and 16 hospital stays took him from her at age 73. Now widowed, Shirley would spend the next twenty years doing what she always had done-embracing life through her service to others. At age 94, a massive stroke would force Shirley to leave her cherished home, church family and beloved Amarillo to be near daughter Lou Anne in Lubbock. She gained warrior status as she battled to regain her voice, her mobility and independence. Through the support and devotion of her family, Shirley would enjoy four more years of Christmas and birthday celebrations, shopping trips, dinners out and countless family visits. Her sweet smile and kind heart would also endear Shirley to the wonderful caregivers and staff at the Isles of Raider Ranch who lovingly and tenderly cared for her these last few years. Her family is also tremendously grateful to Traditions Hospice who served Shirley with such love and compassion as she transitioned to her heavenly home.

Shirley was proceeded in death by her parents, siblings, William H. Brown her devoted husband of 50 years and granddaughter Shannon Brown Riggins. Shirley is survived by her five children Bob Brown of Arlington Texas, Mike Brown and wife Terri of Midlothian, Texas, Lou Anne Stoddard and husband Mike of Lubbock, Tom Brown of Amarillo, and Lisa Horton and husband Ross of Flower Mound, Texas. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren Whitney Anderson, Courtney Fletcher and husband Brent, Kelly Newsome and husband Andy, Jason Brown and wife Stacy, Chelsea Brown, Taylor Richardson and husband Joe, Alyssa Mitchell, and Anna Brown, 8 great-grandchildren Tanner, Colton and Sydney Anderson, Parker Fletcher, Camden and Avery Brown, and Corbin and Sawyer Mitchell, many nieces, nephews and her sister- in-law Jeanne Cline of New Braunfels, Texas. The family suggests memorials be to the First Baptist Church of Amarillo Loft Project Fund or to your favorite charity.