Born on July 4,1937 in St. Louis, MO. Shirley Varnum passed away March 19, 2014 at Barnes Jewish Hospital. She was the daughter of William Reeder and Nellie Bagy. Having resided in the St. Louis, MO area for 49 years, Shirley and her family moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1986 and resided there for 21 years. Returning to Missouri in 2007, where she lived with her son Scott in Ballwin ,MO before permanently moving to Red Bud, IL where she resided with her son Darryl and his wife Michelle until her passing.

Shirley was an amazing person having raised 9 children with her husband Clay. Her degree of her kindness showed in the countless people she touched throughout her life. Whether cooking for firemen and others during the holidays, or being a caretaker for numerous seniors and children, Shirley made a difference in many lives. None more so than with her husband; children; grandchildren; and great grandchildren; along with many friends she treated as family as well..

She was preceded in death by her husband Cletus C. Varnum and son Donald,. Surviving are children Gary Shepherd of Jessup, GA.; Sherry Wilson of Wellsville, NY.; Larry Shepherd of Lonedell, MO.; Daniel Varnum of St. Louis, MO.; Darryl Varnum of Red Bud, IL.; David Varnum of Las Vegas, NV.; Scott Varnum of Ballwin, MO.; stepdaughter Donna Hamilton, O’Fallon, MO. 16 grandchildren and numerous Great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 3 PM at Cross Point Church, 5001 Little Rock Road, St. Louis, MO 63128. In lieu of flowers donations are requested to be sent to the St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children.