Shirley Lee Francis

Shirley Lee Francis, 87, Nevada, MO passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Nathan Richard Health Care in Nevada.

Shirley was born to Oscar Lee and Zelma (Prior) Cheney on October 3, 1937, in Vandalia, Missouri. She grew up as the only child of a farming family in the shadow of the Great Depression. After graduating from Vandalia High School in 1955, she moved to the big city of Chicago to work for the Army Corps of Engineers. In 1958 she returned home to Missouri, where she married Howard Francis. They had two children together: Janice, born 1960, and Dwain, born 1962.

Always a lover of learning, Shirley decided that after raising her children, she would go back to school to study nursing. In 1988 she enrolled at License Practical Nursing School in Nevada and graduated the next year at the top of her class. She went on to earn an Associate Degree in nursing from Fort Scott University in 1992 and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Pittsburg State University in 1996. She earned both degrees with magna cum laude honors and practiced as a nurse until her retirement.

Shirley will be remembered for her dedication to farm life, her enduring fashion, and her love for animals. She was beloved by her neighbors and community.

Shirley is survived by her two children and their spouses: Janice (Daniel) Super of Murray, Kentucky, and Dwain (Samantha) Francis of Richards, Missouri; and by her four grandchildren: Kylee (Reid) Nodine of Richards, Missouri, Kail (Kaitlyn) Francis of Bronaugh, Missouri, Katie Super of Washington, D.C., and Sam Super of San Francisco. She is also survived by a special adopted daughter, Karen East, and four especially dear friends: Carmen Flater, Kristi Hinkle, Pat Hope and Sharon Pitts.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Dr. Kevin Daugherty officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Parkinson’s Foundation c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

You may view obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com