Janie Purlee Shirley's Obituary
Janie Shirley passed away on October 15th at the age of 76. Born to Margaret and Robert Purlee on August 23, 1940, Janie grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma where she attended Muskogee Central High School. After graduating in 1958, she went on to attend Oklahoma State University. During her freshman year at OSU she pledged Pi Beta Phi, and met her future husband, Jack Shirley, during a math course. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in 1962, and married Jack in 1963. Janie and Jack lived in California while he completed his service in the Navy. They welcomed their only child, Maryjane, in San Diego in 1964. The family then moved to Dallas, where Janie split her time working for Republic Bank and completing her Masters in Business from the University of Texas at Arlington. Over the next twenty years Janie taught business classes at both El Centro College and Richland College, while also acting as coordinator for the City of Dallas’ Small Business Services program. Outside of her success in academia, Janie enjoyed a full and active life. The second half of her life was spent teaching water aerobics in the Lake Highlands community for more than forty years, playing tennis regularly, and participating in a monthly bridge club since its origin in the mid 1960’s. She was involved in the Lake Highlands Women’s League, held leadership positions in the Richardson-Plano Pi Beta Phi Alumni Club, attended Saint James Episcopal Church, and devoted countless hours supporting her grandchildren in their various activities in addition to volunteering in their schools. Janie is survived by her daughter Maryjane Laurin and son-in-law Dick Laurin; her grandchildren Richie and Ginny Laurin; her sister-in-law Mary Hall (Kent), and Mary’s children Erin Hall Leamon (David) and Clint Hall (Jillian). The Family will receive friends from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM on Friday in The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Services will be conducted in the Memorial Chapel at Restland Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas, on Friday, October 21st at 2:30 PM. In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider making a donation in Janie’s honor to Saint James Episcopal Church, 9845 McCree, Dallas, TX 75238. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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