Clara Mae Shirley

Homegoing service for Clara Mae Shirley will be held at 11:00 AM, on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026, at the Gilfield Baptist Church in Davis. The Reverend Fred Johnson, Jr. will officiate the service. Interment will follow at the Five Mile Cemetery in Hennepin.

Clara was born on May 9th, 1941, in Sulphur, to the late Fred Elmer and Alice Fay (Morris) Ervin. She entered eternal rest, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, May 24th, 2026, at her home in Davis. She was 85 years of age. Clara and Mr. Willie Melvin "W.M." Shirley were united in marriage on September 20, 1965, in Gainesville, TX.

Miss Clara grew up in Sulphur, attending Sulphur Public Schools. After high school she worked several years in area nursing homes, prior to working for Halliburton Services in Davis. Due to health issues, she was forced into early retirement. After retiring, when her health allowed, she worked for her son at Willie's BBQ, which she greatly enjoyed.

Caring for her beloved family was always foremost for Miss Clara. Her love and dedication to her family was unwavering. In her spare time, she enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, fishing, swimming, and doing interior decorating. Clara was a longtime member of the Gilfield Baptist Church, where she assisted wherever she was needed.

Those left to mourn Clara's passing include her daughter, Anita Shirley; twelve grandchildren, Iisha Shirley, Chad Shirley, Ra'Chel Shirley Knight, Willie Melvin "Trey" Shirley, III, Cameron Shirley, Callie Shirley, Tammy Ervin, Aundre` McDonald, Thomas McDonald, LaKeisha Thomas, Demekedrick Bradford, & Shamar Bradford; numerous great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Gwen Ervin; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, Clara was preceded in death by two sons, Willie Melvin Shirley, Jr. & Tommy Lee Ervin; one grandson, Kobe Shirley; and her seven siblings, Freddie Ervin, Vivian Williams, Otis Gene Ervin, Virgie Nero-Holmes, Stanley Ervin, Donnie Lee Ervin and Barbara Steele.

Serving as casket bearers will be Chad Shirley, Shamar Bradford, Trey Shirley, Cameron Shirley, Elijah Knight, and Billy Darrell Hill. Flower attendants will be Malayah Colongo, Aniyah Maul, Allice Faye Scott, Sherri Washington, and Tonya James.

Services are entrusted to Hale's Funeral Home of Davis.

Online condolences may be offered at halesfuneralhomes.com.