Shirley Jean Mabe

Shirley Jean Mabe, daughter of the late Walter Wynn Johnson and Nola Mae (Philippi) Johnson, was born February 12, 1937, in Mountain City, Tennessee where she grew up and attended school. Shirley met a dashing young United States Army soldier by the name of Blaine Elmer Mabe. They began dating and on September 5, 1955, in Johnson County, Tennessee, they were united in marriage. They shared many wonderful years of marriage together and were blessed with three daughters: Kim, Debbie, and Lisa. Due to Blaine being in the military, Shirley and the family moved to different duty stations, and they were eventually transferred to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in the early 1970’s. Blaine retired from the military and the family decided to make the Waynesville/St. Robert area their home. Shirley began working on Fort Leonard Wood at the Post Exchange in retail sales for many years. In her spare time, she enjoyed baking, cooking, sewing, and crocheting. She also loved being outdoors, especially working in her garden and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. She would watch their games every chance that she could. The one thing that brought Shirley more joy than anything was her family and her beloved Peppi (her dog). She loved spending time with them as much as she could and treasured those times. Shirley passed away Sunday, February 25, 2024, in her home surrounded by her family having attained the age of 87 years. She will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved her. Shirley leaves to cherish her memory, her three daughters: Kim Marzuco (Michael) of Rolla, MO, Debbie Pyles (Herb) of Rolla, MO, and Lisa Rackley (Chris) of St. Louis, MO; ten grandchildren: Melissa Sackman (Jamin) of Nixa, MO, Tony Marzuco (Aysheia) of Rolla, MO, Megan Melvin (Adam) of Vernon Hills, IL, Tara Wolfe (Nate) of Sun Prairie, WI, Ryan Pyles (Ryanne) of Libertyville, IL, Jeremy Buie (Julie) of Ferguson, MO, Amanda Willis (James) of Lake St. Louis, MO, Kodi Van de Riet (Doug) of Eureka, MO, Jake Rackley of St. Louis, MO, and Kallie DeBoer (Mike) of St. Louis, MO; twenty great grandchildren: Natalie, Hannah, and Norah Buie, Hayden, Reid, and London Marzuco, Karah and Alex Sackman, Ethan, A.J., and Emory Willis, Blaine, Quinn, Adelyn, and Zoey Melvin, Rory and Evellen Wolfe, Logan Van de Riet, Chase Pyles, and Josie DeBoer; one brother: Paul Johnson of Mountain City, TN; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Blaine; two sisters, Mary and Betty; and one brother, Charles. Even though she is gone from our sight, Shirley’s legacy of a loving spirit will live on in our hearts forever. Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2024 in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Waynesville, Missouri with Mike Freeman officiating. Serving as escorts were Herb Pyles, Michael Marzuco, Chris Rackley, Ryan Pyles, Tony Marzuco, and Jeremy Buie. Serving as honorary escorts ere Jacob Rackley, Jamin Sackman, Adam Melvin, Nate Wolfe, James Willis, Doug Van de Riet, and Mike DeBoer. Services were under the care and direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Shirley Mabe and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Shirley Jean Mabe

February 12, 1937 - February 25, 2024