Shirley Ladd

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Shirley Jean Ladd, 82, of Advance went home to be with our Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019.

She was born Dec. 14, 1936, in Bollinger County, Missouri, the daughter of Arthur Owen and Mary Emily Lawson Kennedy. Shirley and Glen Ladd were united in marriage on Feb. 7, 1953, at Marble Hill, Missouri, and he preceded her in death March 30, 2004.

Shirley was lovingly known as "Dhirley" and "Squirrelly" to her children and grandchildren and "Momma Shirley" to many others. She was a unique and caring individual who touched the lives of all who knew her with her generous nature and unwavering faith.

Shirley worked several years at Inland Shoe factory in Advance and International Hat factory in Marble Hill before devoting herself full time as a selfless wife and mother as a full-time homemaker and caregiver. She was a kind and loving spirit who wanted everyone who entered her home to feel welcome, at ease and at home.

She had a great sense of humor and laughed at what she called her "squirrely" moments. She never met a Little Debbie cake she didn't want to eat, but being weight-conscious, she always ate them with a Diet Coke. She enjoyed going to church, reading the Bible, watching TV, doing crossword puzzles, dragonflies and "escaping" to go on adventures, but she loved her family and getting to spend time with them the most.

Survivors include children, Patricia Bitterman, Phyllis Rutherford and Jerrell Ladd; grandsons, Derek Massey, Christopher Bowman, Geoffrey Bowman and Austin Ladd; great-granddaughters, Sara, Gracie and Lucy; great-grandsons, Ben and Emitt; and a host of other family, natural and adopted, too numerous to list, but she loved and treasured each of you.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Deborah Diane Bowman; sisters, Golda Mabel, Violet Leona and Ruby Jean; and brothers, James Milford, Harlin Edward, Kenneth Ray and Cletus Franklin.

One of Shirley's favorite Bible verses was Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Instead of flowers, she would hope you would do what's right and good. Be kind and help others. Forgive as you are forgiven. The world can always use another kind person and, if you can, take it one step further and do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for some poor unfortunate soul in her name.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Keith Price officiating. Burial will follow at Balch Cemetery near Zalma, Missouri.