Shirley Beth Medaris' Obituary
Shirley Beth Medaris, 89, daughter of Burton Billingsley and Elizabeth Dell Berry, died peacefully on Friday, November 3, after a brief stay at Vitas Inpatient Hospice following a devastating stroke 10 days before. Never one to miss a good parade, despite crying at every one, she departed this life 30 minutes prior to the Texas Rangers World Series Championship parade. She is survived by her daughters Vickie Coates of Rowlett, TX; Laura (Ken) Cramer of Dobbin, TX; M’Lisa (Kurt) Hansen of Taylorsville, UT and Leigh Ann (Bill) Clark of Paradise Valley, AZ; by her sons R. Shane (Deb) White of Austin, TX; and H Shepard (Tammi) Bailey presently serving in Salt Lake City, UT; and by 20 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Robert Neil Medaris, her beloved husband of 50 years in this life, and for eternity in the next, and by her step-son Robert M Medaris.
Shirley was born September 27, 1934, in Anson, Texas, county seat of Jones County, part of the “Abilene, Texas metropolitan area,” and home of the “Texas Cowboys’ Christmas Ball,” a three-night event held the weekend before Christmas, being the only time Anson’s ‘no dancing” law was/is lifted. Music is usually provided by Michael Martin Murphy, from Abilene’s eastern suburb of Dallas. Originally named “Jones City,” the town was renamed “Anson” in 1882 in honor of Anson Jones, the last President of the Republic of Texas. The town’s two names were also President Anson Jones’ two names, so... it’s probably best understood by a personal visit. The other famous person from Anson is Jeannie C. Riley, who graced us with the elevating 1968 classic “Harper Valley PTA”. No record was found of Shirley’s family’s migration to Ambler Avenue in Abilene, but “soon thereafter” is likely a reasonable presumption.
Though Shirley and her family of 8, including triplets 8 years her junior, tried to make the best of things, and see the brighter side of things, they endured abject poverty in their 4-room + W/C home. A #2 washtub in the kitchen was their bath. Nevertheless, Shirley credits her parents with instilling in her and her siblings “a love for all people, to be honest, to have integrity – to strive to have good manners – to honor our elders.” And building on that, Mama Dell (as Shirley’s Mom was known by her grandchildren) would take all six children, cleaned and pressed to the Graham Street Church of Christ every Sunday. It was here, and in her private moments of prayer that her love for and trust in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ began to glow and grow. Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy is just in her DNA.
And then in March 1966, at the age of 32, Shirley’s life took a dramatic and eternal turn for the ever and ever better when she and her family accepted the invitation by Elder Isom & Elder Walker to be baptized under proper, restored Priesthood authority into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And she never looked back, knowing that all the wonderful truths of Christianity she had been taught and embraced thus far were now completed in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and she also learned how to dance.
And then upon finding herself alone once again, the distant clippity clop of her last, and oh so shiny knight’s steed delivered... Bob. And they took each other’s breath away. Some of us were even eyewitnesses to their exceptional resuscitation skills. And for the next 50 years, all was well, beyond even the wildest predictions (and their wildest dreams) given her and Bob’s life experiences thus far. Bob and Shirley were married April 11, 1969, and were then sealed for time and all eternity in November 1972 in the Laie Hawaii temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bob having joined Shirley in the Church one year earlier.
Shirley and Bob loved life, and loved sharing life together. They also loved sharing their life with others, so so many others. They loved to travel, with dear friends. They loved to dine, with dear friends. They loved going to shows and games, with dear friends. They loved coming home afterwards to just be, with dear friends. They loved to play games, with dear friends. They loved being silly, with dear friends. They loved celebrating, with dear friends. They absolutely loved making new friends, who soon became dear friends, and they never stopped drawing dear friends deeper and deeper into their hearts, lives and love.
But second only to her love for the Lord, Shirley’s unrivaled priority was her family, each and every member of it. We have recently been reminded that “salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter.” And as we increasingly come to understand that families really can be together forever, Shirley succeeded in loving and guiding and gently molding a family that actually wants to be.
About 18 years ago, Shirley’s daughter Laura gave her a life-history questionnaire, to which Mom responded in her beautiful handwriting, and then bound into a volume titled “A MOTHER’S Legacy” gifted to each of her children. [see Book cover photo on Tribute Wall]...
One of the questions was “How would you like to be remembered?” Shirley’s response, “as someone who made a positive difference in this world – hopefully who made it better – as someone who loved and served the Lord; - as a good mother and wife; - as a good, caring friend – as someone with a good sense of humor – as someone who could laugh at herself – as someone who loved her extended family – as a good, sweet person.” Well done, sweet Shirley, y’nailed it!
Two words come to the writer’s mind in contemplating Mom... worthy and indelible. None who were drawn into her selfless, warm, illuminating, and loving gaze, words, touch, encouragements, prayers or dinner parties were, nor ever will be, the same. Nor will be the rest of our lives, until we meet her again.
Services will be held Thursday, November 9th at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 14740 Meandering Way, Dallas, Texas 75248. Visitation will be held the evening before, Wednesday, November 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery at 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 7524
Please click on the link below to view the service. https://youtube.com/live/Yjb330C5ClU?feature=share
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