Shirley Karraker

Shirley Ann Karraker, 92, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Johnston City, Illinois, passed away Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

Shirley was born Sept. 19, 1929, in Johnston City, a daughter of John and Thelma Williams Beaver. She and Richard Karraker were married on June 6, 1959, in First Baptist Church in Johnston City, and he preceded her in death April 24, 2014.

Shirley graduated from Johnston City High School in 1947. After high school, she entered the School of Nursing at Christian Welfare Hospital in East St. Louis, Illinois, graduating in September 1950. She worked at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Marion, Illinois, for nine years. After her marriage, she moved to Cape Girardeau and was employed at Southeast Hospital for 35 years. She worked in many different departments throughout her time there and retired in 1994.

Shirley was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church and sang in the choir there for many years.

Survivors include her son, Tim (Julia) Karraker of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren, Thomas Karraker of Cape Girardeau and Rachel (David) Wynn of South Fulton, Tennessee; great-grandson, Levi Wynn; sister, Phyllis Sanders of Johnston City; brother, John A. Beaver of Johnston City; four nieces and a nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard Karraker; and a sister, Joy Beaver.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Wavis Jordan officiating. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Lynwood Baptist Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available and accepted at the funeral home.

To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.crainsonline.com.