Shirley LaVonne (Steward) Nell passed away on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2018 at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock, Texas at the age of 84 years, 3 months, and 22 days.

Shirley was born in Weatherford, Oklahoma and was the daughter of Rader Charles and Ollie Mae (Dawson) Steward.  She was married to Warren Earle Nell for 62 years who was the son of William Bryan and Crystal (McCarty) Nell.  Shirley resided in Lubbock, Texas at the time of her death.

Shirley was a graduate of Weatherford High School in 1952 and later received a Bachelor of Education Degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.  She served as an elementary teacher for 25 years primarily teaching 2nd and 3rd grade.  Over the years, she taught in Aztec, Tucumcari, and Artesia, New Mexico.  Warren and Shirley lived in Artesia for 42 years and in 2011 they relocated to Lubbock, Texas.  As a teacher, she loved her students and always took great interest in each of them.  She also taught Sunday School, was a member of First United Methodist Church, P.E.O., Delta Kappa Gamma, AAUW, and served on numerous church committees.  She was a very strong and courageous person, as she was a Type 1 Diabetic for over 72 years.  She was honored by the Joslin Diabetic Center and was an encourager to many who have Diabetes.

Shirley was blessed with a wonderful family.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren who passed away May 2nd, 2017, parents, in-laws, sister Patricia McIntyre, brother Roland Steward and his wife Mae Anne, brother and sister - in-laws Gene and Sybil Francis, Roland and Wilma Gene Kromer, Floyd and Geraldine Carrick, Therol Nell, and Norman Williams.  Survivors include her daughter Lisa Robinson and husband Rex of Carlsbad, New Mexico, son Charles Nell and wife Laura of Lubbock, Texas, six grandchildren - Dedi and Hondo Hanagan, Drew and Kristyne Robinson, Barrett and Brianna Robinson, Maggie and Dusty Maney, Charles Bryan Nell, Jr., and Katie Nell.  Five great-grandchildren - Kinslee, Breleigh, and Hudson Hanagan; Sydney Robinson; and Bentley Robinson; brother and sister in-laws WB (Dub) Nell, Wanda Faye Williams, and GQ and Donna Nell, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Shirley lived a happy life, loved the Lord, her family, and valued her friends' friendship greatly.  She blessed all who knew her.  She was a dear and sweet wife, mother, Nana, and friend.  She lived her life based on Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, do it with all your heart as unto the Lord".  She lived by and loved the song - What A Wonderful World.