Shirley Ann (Shannon) Thomas 92, of Pittsburg, KS died Wednesday June 25, 2025, at her assisted living residence in Edmond, OK peacefully in her sleep.
Shirley was born September 5, 1932, in Saline County, MO, the daughter of Walter Frederick Shannon and Virginia Lee (Burroughs) Shannon. She grew up as a farm girl learning how to can and preserve garden produce including very delicious strawberry preserves. She graduated from Marshall High School in 1950 followed by attending Christian Female College in Columbia, MO, for two years where she learned typing and excelled at accounting.
In 1952, Shirley married Jim Thomas, also from Marshall, and started a loving partnership that lasted for 63 years until Jim’s death in 2019. Shirley and Jim lived in Marshall, MO, Rolla, MO, and Columbia, MO before moving to Pittsburg, KS in 1963. Her typing skills were used during this time when she helped Jim complete his education by typing and editing his PhD thesis. In Pittsburg, in addition to being the heart of her family, she was very active in the community. Her activities started small with things like being a cub scout den mother, junior golf volunteer, and bridge club member to later being a very active member of Chapter AQ, P.E.O. Shirley was a regular contributor to Chapter AQ’s fund raising activities (her pecan pie was a prized item at their Christmas auction) and served in several of the organization’s officer positions. Shirley began her professional career when her sons began college. She made noteworthy contributions at the Pittsburg State University Bookstore, as the Pittsburg area United Way Director and an office staff member/accountant at Pittsburg High School, retiring to the Kansas Public Employee System in 1995.
Shirley had many interests outside the home, two included travel and golf. She visited many places in the United States traveling with friends, to see friends, and making new friends on the trip. Her highlight trips abroad included two trips to Germany and one to Ireland. Shirley became an avid golfer even though she considered a great round breaking 100. She was always happy to be on the course considering it as quality time with her family and friends: four hours together with other couples, your kids, your grandkids and everybody has a good time.
Survivors include her sisters, Kathryn “Kay” Lou (Shannon) Bay and Carol Lee (Shannon) Miles-Love; her sons, James W. Thomas and wife Laurel of Edmond, OK and Timothy E. Thomas and wife Patti of Manhattan, KS; grandchildren: Joanna, Jake, Timothy, David, Shannon and Jonathon Thomas and great-grandchildren: Bailey, Coley, Keely, Grace, Tyler, and Asher Thomas, and Maura Kiefer.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Virginia Shannon; and husband James E. Thomas.
Shirley was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburg, KS. Shirley will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and wonderful friend.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday July 7, 2025, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, MO, with Reverend K.O. Noonoo officiating. Burial will follow in Ridge Park Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday July 8, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburg, KS, with Mr. Jeff Elliott presiding. In lieu of flowers the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to the James and Shirley Thomas Scholarship Fund or P.E.O. Chapter AQ Education Support. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home, 226 S Odell Ave, Marshall, MO. 65340. Condolences may be left at www.campbell-lewis.com.