Shirley Cumings-McElyea

Our beloved mother, sister, and grandmother, Shirley Cumings McElyea, 74, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 17, in Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Shirley was born in Nacogdoches, Texas to Dorothy and Barham Campbell on July 1, 1941. She moved to Abilene in 1946 when her father moved his family from Kansas to attend Hardin Simmons University. Her family moved to Houston in 1952 and lived there until she married Robert McElyea. She and Robert then moved to Branson, Missouri until his death in 2004. Not long after her husband’s passing, she moved back to Abilene to be close to her daughter and her family. Shirley graduated from Spring Branch High School in 1959 and attended numerous banking schools and went on to have a successful career in banking for many years. Shirley's happiest times were when she was cooking for others, shopping with her sister, looking for antiques, going dancing with friends and especially being with her family and grandkids. She will be greatly missed!! Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Barham Campbell, her husband, Robert McElyea, and her granddaughter, Morgan Leigh Massey. Shirley is survived by her daughter, Ellen Massey and husband Kirk of Abilene; her son, George Cumings and wife Toni of Misawa, Japan; two sisters, Sue Cook of Houston, and Ramona Peace and husband Bruce, also of Houston; six grandchildren, Colin Massey of Baltimore, Kyle Massey and wife Sara of Chicago, Taylor Massey of Seattle, Kristen Massey of Ft. Worth, Christian Cumings of Misawa, Japan, and Addisyn Cumings also of Misawa, Japan. Memorials may be given in Shirley’s memory to Pregnancy Resources of Abilene, 2110 N. Willis St. Ste. A, Abilene, Texas 79603. The family of Shirley McElyea wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Sandip Mathur and staff for the excellent medical care; to Hendrick Hospice Care of Abilene for your love and support; and for the outstanding compassionate care given by the entire staff of Wesley Court Retirement Home. Thanks to each of you for making this difficult journey bearable.