Shirley Curtis-Clark

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”  Matthew 6:33

On June 17, 1943, the sun rose and ushered in Shirley Ann Curtis to Lenora Robinson, fondly known as Sister and Theodore Curtis, fondly known as Thedo who preceded her in death.  

Shirley Ann was baptized at an early age. Throughout her life’s journey she studied many different religions and spiritual paths, always professing her love for and her belief in God and in Jesus the Christ.  She would always say she prayed to God for a knowing faith.

Her life was heavily influenced by Mama Freda, her maternal grandmother.   And her maternal grandfather, Edward “Moses” Robinson, who was from Kentucky,  instructed her on how to be a lady.

Over the course of years of her life in Kansas City, Missouri she was an assembly line worker at Lake City Ammunitions plant and General Motors. She pursued a career in travel, was a life insurance agent and attended business college. She was also a real estate agent, apartments manager and a licensed cosmetologist.  As a young single woman she was the epitome of progression.

She had a wonderful and beautiful gift for naming children. Not only her own children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren, but also other people’s children .

In the winter of her life she moved to Texas where the weather was much warmer in the winter season. While in Texas she worked at the State School in Austin until her retirement.  She was a lover of education and attended college during her retirement years.  She was innovative, creative and ambitious all throughout her life.

Family and friends will attest to her love of family (nobody messed with Shirley Ann’s kids), to her love of cooking, and to her pursuit of learning. When she got that fire in her eyes, you knew you needed to shape up.

She loved to play Bid Whist.  If there is a Bid Whist game going on in heaven  Shirley Ann is at the table bidding a 6 no.

She would always say she was the epitome of the apex, the last half of the ninth inning and that when she passed the parade was over.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren fondly called her Grandmother because as she would often say she was the “Grand” Mother.   

On September 9, 2020 the sun set on the life of Shirley Ann.  The parade is over.  The heavens have opened.  She answered the roll call.  And God has welcomed Shirley Ann into His loving arms.

Shirley Ann leaves us to join her ancestors in heaven:  Theodore Curtis - father, Lenora Brown - mother, Edward Robinson - maternal grandfather, Freda Roberts - maternal grandmother,  William Curtis - paternal grandfather, Ora Curtis - paternal grandmother, Carolyn Chappel - sister, Daniel Davis-Clark - grandson.

She leaves to mourn her passing her direct descendants: Dawnitra Allen of Austin, TX, Sherrita Johnnette Camp (Dwayne) of Topeka, KS, LaDawndra Robbs (Stephen), Michael Clark, Freedra Hilstock, all of St. Joseph, MO, Donald Edward Davis, II of Austin, TX; Grandchildren: Raheisha M. Gist Freestone (Aaron), Karmen Joyce Nard,  Conrad Nard II, Alicia Bernadette Allen, LeAndre Jamal Allen, Charles Andrew Smith III (Meghan), Shiraya Ann Robbs, Shamarie T Robbs, Donald Edward Davis III, Fiara M. Ellis, Ka'Niya Ann Davis; Great-Grandchildren:  Zariyah Z. Nard, Jendayah Gist, Zeric Avery, Zionne Nard, Jakwali Gist, Za'Miyah Anderson, Nariyah Joyce Allen, Josiah Jamal Allen; her brother, Donald Curtis (Brenda) of California, Children by marriage, Michael Clark (Margaret) of Sacramento, California, Bruce Clark, Elliot Clark (Aquilla), Kenneth Clark (Deloria), and Kimberly Clark of Kansas City,  MO; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, and caretakers.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 24th at Watkins Heritage Chapel 4000 Emanuel Cleaver Blvd. KCMO 64030. Visitation 10:00 A.M. Interment Mount Moriah Cemetery. Services will stream at: mstcsunset.com.

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