Shirley Ates

Shirley Lavonne Ates, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, July 21, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born Feb. 22, 1936, in Cape Girardeau to Edward Franklin and Erna Amanda Sander Spalding.

Shirley graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1953. She married Charles "Sonny" Estes on July 26, 1953. He died June 18, 1984.

She and Marvin E. Ates were married July 30, 1988, at Cape Girardeau.

Shirley retired from Southeast Hospital.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau and a lifelong member of the VFW Post 3838 Auxiliary and the Eagles Auxiliary, both in Cape Girardeau, and the American Legion Post 158 Auxiliary in Jackson.

Survivors include her husband, Marvin E. Ates of Cape Girardeau; brother, Edward "Bud" (Patricia) Spalding of Cape Girardeau; sisters, Phyllis (Gene) Maevers and Kay (Kenneth "Butch") Maevers, all of Cape Girardeau; stepsons, Marvin E. Ates Jr. and Tim E. Ates, both of St. Louis; a stepdaughter, Bonnie M. Ates of Tybee Island, Ga.; two step-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband; infant sister, Carolyn Ruth Spalding; and sisters, Nora Lee Seabaugh and Ruby Marie Leach.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Douglas C. Breite officiating. Burial will be at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.