Shirley F. Sears, 78, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 12, at her home.
She was born in 1944 in Columbus, Kansas, to William and Faye Hanks. She graduated in 1962 and moved to Shawnee, and married the love of her life, Earl Sears, in 1963. Together, they had one son, Jerry.
Shirley worked for almost 37 years at the University of Kansas Medical Center, retiring as the assistant to the Chief of Internal Medicine in 2001.
She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them, often at the Lake of the Ozarks. She was known for her love of cooking and had an extensive recipe collection. She would spend her free time at craft fairs and flea markets and loved to travel with friends and family. Shirley and her late husband, Earl, were members of the Touch of Glass Corvette Club, with which they traveled and entered their car in many shows, winning trophies at several of them.
She is survived by her son, Jerry, and his wife, Aimee; a brother, Gary; a grandson; two granddaughters and a great-granddaughter; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her father, William, her mother, Faye, and her husband, Earl.
A visitation will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, at noon at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 611 S.E. Avenue, Columbus, Kansas, with a service at 1, at Park Cemetery in Columbus.
Shirley had a soft spot for and supported St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude's. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.
