Shirley Lelia Mcgarah

Shirley “Nana” L. McGarah passed away at her home on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at the age of 86. Shirley is preceded in death by, her parents, her husband, David Lorenzo McGarah, Sr., her sister, Patricia Houck, and granddaughter, Jessica Nicole Emerick. Shirley is lovingly remembered by her sons, David L. McGarah, Jr., (Tere), Michael McGarah (Charles Farris), her daughter, Laurie Emerick (Kent); grandchildren, Amanda Hurst (Charles), Cristen Walter (Casey), Scott Emerick (Crystal), David L. McGarah, III; great-grandchildren, Christian Walter, Addyson Hurst, Cassidy Walter, Colton Emerick, Catie Walter; brother, Richard Empey (Sharon); nieces Sandy Hohmann, Paulette Archer (Mack), Nanette Hagerty (Paul) and nephew, Dale Houck. Shirley was born in Rochester, New York, September 10, 1929 to Mildred and William Empey. Shirley's early life, after leaving high school, she went to work for the phone company in Rochester, as a board operator. She met David L. McGarah, Sr. while he was stationed at Sampson Air Force Base. She married David on January 18, 1951 in Nashville, TN on their way to Memphis, TN to meet his family. They spent many years traveling many different states and countries while in the Air Force, and upon his retirement settled in Austin, Texas. Shirley went back to work for Southwestern Bell, where she worked until her retirement in 1989. They moved to Bastrop, Texas in 1983 where she spent time raising the most important thing in her life, her grandchildren. The second most important things in life were her great grandchildren. Her biggest accomplishments in life, that she felt, were her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Casey Walter, Michael McGarah, Scott Emerick, David L. McGarah, III, Charles Hurst, Ken Bushong and Frank Craddock. Honorary Pallbearers are David L. McGarah, Jr., and Kent Emerick. The visitation will be held at Providence Funeral Home in Bastrop, Texas. 2079 Highway 71 East Bastrop, Texas 78602, 6:00-8:00pm Monday, February 22, 2016. Funeral Services will be held at Providence Funeral Home in Bastrop, Texas, 1:00pm Tuesday, February 23, 2016. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Special thanks to Dr. Steven Yount, Encompass Home Health, Heart to Heart Hospice, and special friend Patty Bushong. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice 4009 Banister Lane, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78704 or the Go Beyond Project at River Valley Christian Fellowship 1224 Highway 71 W Bastrop, Texas 78602.