Shirley went to her Heavenly Home on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.  On a Monday the 12th of January, 1931 in Alexandria, La. Shirley Ray Lewis was born to parents Rayford Earl and Ninon Shirley Lewis.    This beautiful child grew up to love life, her Lord and God's creations especially flowers, birds, bees, butterflies and animals.  She went to high school in Winnfield, Louisiana and graduated in 1948.  She graduated college in 1952 from Texas State College for Women in Denton TX and worked for a year in Kingsville TX as a PE teacher.  She also worked as a counselor for Heart of the Hills camp in Texas and Camp Nacanowa in Crossville TN.

She enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader for many years and taught us girls so many things from athletics to crafts to swimming and even a little cooking.  She was a lifeguard and used her skills to save a friend's life in Saline Lake many years ago.  But most of all she enjoyed family. She participated in Bible Study Group, Home Demonstration Club and worked at the Food Pantry. Shirley supported the Winn Parish Fair by working in the Home Demonstration booth.  She entered and won awards for the submission of many types of flowers, canned food items and photography entries.

She was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women's group and sang in the Choir. For many years, she prepared the flower arrangements for the altar at the Methodist Church. She may have borrowed some flowers but she said that was for the Lord's use so it was allowed.

Her passions, aside from her family, were helping children, serving her church, appreciating nature and recognizing our military servers. She was an excellent seamstress and cook.  She was also skilled  in scrapbooking, metal art work, decoupage, canning and stained glass art.  She was "born to play" ( her choice words).  Photography was a hobby she enjoyed.  She had a few of her photos accepted for publication in "Birds and Blooms" magazine.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Donovan Hearn Walsh and her parents Ninon Watson Lewis and Rayford Earl Lewis.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Walsh Skains,(Terry) her grandchildren Allison Harrison (Matt), Michael Etheridge(Krystal), grandchildren by marriage, Jennifer Skains Finkelson (Keith) and Dennis Skains. She is survived by seven great grandchildren:  Shelby and Patrick Harrison, Logan, Luke and Lex Etheridge and Hunter and Austin Finkelson.  She is also survived by her favorite brother, John Ford Lewis and wife Judy of Navarre Beach, Florida.

Visitation will be Friday, May 15, 2026 from 4-7 p.m. at Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.  Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026 in the First United Methodist Church of Winnfield. There will be a visitation prior to the service starting at 10:00 a.m.  Internment will be following at the Winnfield Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the organization or church of your choice, the Community Food Pantry at P. O. Box 302 Winnfield, LA  71483;  St. Jude,  Gary Sinese Organization that were some of her favorites.

Messages of condolence and sympathy may be extend to the family online by visiting www.southernfuneralhome.com