Della Deo Shirley

Della Deo Blakely Shirley age 87, of Bastrop, Texas passed away January 28, 2025. She was born to Deo and Bonnie Blakely on July 26, 1937 in Delight, Arkansas. 

On November 13, 1955, Della married the love of her life, Oliver Lewis Shirley, Jr. After high school, her husband Oliver joined the Navy. She traveled the world with him and their growing family. They ended up in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1957 where she worked for Howard E. Butt, CEO of H-E-B as his personal secretary. 

Della was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she was heavily involved and served in many leadership positions. She loved traveling and made friends everywhere she went, telling anyone who would listen about her family. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. 

Della is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Oliver Lewis Shirley Jr of Bastrop, Texas; parents, Bonnie & Deo of Levelland, Texas; her sisters, Pam Sizemore of Beeville, Texas and Charlene Allen of Thoreau, New Mexico; and brother, Donnie Blakely of Levelland, Texas. 

She is survived by her sister, Irene Bowman of Bastrop, Texas; sons, Oliver Lewis Shirley III & wife Carol of San Diego, California, Steven Shirley & wife Donna of Garland, Texas, Jeffrey Shirley & wife Sara of Newnan, Georgia; daughter, Rhonda Williams & husband Tracy of Bastrop, Texas; 17 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. 

A Celebration Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, April 07, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Bastrop, Texas. Inurnment services will follow at 3:00 pm at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.