Mary Louise Shirk

Lt. Commander Mary L. Shirk was born December 19, 1929 in Cherokee County Alabama and departed her earthly home to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior, April 12, 2023 at the age of 93 years young.  She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Shawnee OK

She proudly served her country for 21 years in the United States Navy. She and her husband, Robert retired to “Shirk Mountain” in Clinton Arkansas.  Mary Lou remained on their beloved mountain even after Robert’s passing until moving to Shawnee, Oklahoma in 2016 to be closer to her step-son, Robert and his wife, Pam.  She loved to travel, play cards, laugh with friends and she was a voracious reader.

Special thanks to Shelly Dupree from 1^st Light Home Health; all the wonderful nurses, aides and chaplains from Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care as well as the compassionate and caring staff at Brookdale Senior Living Center in Shawnee, OK.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Shirk; her parents, Richard and Mary (Bolton) Steele; five brothers, Austin, Lawson (Sam), L.G. (Snip), and Bob; three sisters, Idene Gibson, Irene Williams and Ruby King.

She is survived by her step-son, Robert Shirk & wife Pam of Asher OK; grandchildren, Terry D. Green & wife Terri of Waxahachie TX, Daniel Shirk & wife Christine of Ashburn VA; great-granddaughter, Elspeth Green; brother, Tom Steele & wife, Susan of Clearwater, FL; sister, Betty Praeter & husband Gilbert of Chattanooga, TN; and a plethora of nieces, nephews and friends.  

A funeral ceremony for Mary will be held on Monday April 17, 2023 at the Walker Funeral Service Chapel at 2:00 P.M. Pamela Shirk will be officiating. Burial will be on Wednesday April 19, 2023 at 12:30 P.M. in the Little Rock National Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas.