Shirley Ann (Darby) Hargis

Shirley Ann (Darby) Hargis, 90, passed away on Feb. 28, 2026.
 
She was born on Jan. 16, 1936, in Dunstable, England, to Aubrey Darby and Violet (West) Darby. She was one of eight children, and from a young age carried a nurturing spirit and often served as a mother figure among her siblings.
 
She met Bill Hargis while he was stationed in England with the United States Air Force. Their meeting began a lifelong love story that would span countries and decades. They were married on Nov. 3, 1956, in Dunstable, England. In 1959, they moved to Bill’s home state of Missouri. After briefly living in California, they returned to Missouri, where she remained for the rest of her life. She proudly became a United States citizen on April 15, 1977.
 
She was the loving mother of Bill Hargis (Cher) of St. Joseph; Joanna (John) Thomas of Wylie, Texas; Rick Hargis (Correne Reed) of Springfield; Randall Hargis (Christy) of Strafford; Micheal Hargis (Karen Aguilar) of Costa Rica; Dustin Hargis of Springfield; and James Hargis (Rebecca Gabroy) of California. She not only raised her children with steadfast love and strength, but also adopted two of her grandchildren and helped care for many others. 
 
She was a proud grandmother to Telman Hargis (Theresa) of Miller, MO; Arron Pope (Katelyn) of Vidor, TX; Jessica (Hargis) Ragsdale (Anthony) of Marshfield, MO; Tiffany (Kelley) Woodward (Billy) of Vidor, TX; Katie Hargis of Willard, MO; Kelsey Hargis (fiancé Austin) of Springfield, MO; Katrina Hargis of Strafford, MO; Brandon Hargis (Kimberly) of Centerton, AR; Sam Hargis of Springfield, MO; and Tannia, Darby, and Victoria Hargis of Costa Rica.
 
She was the proud grandmother to 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. 
 
She was preceded in death by her parents; several beloved siblings; her son, Dustin; her husband, Bill Hargis; her great-granddaughter, Kaylee; and her daughter, Joanna.
 
She was a devoted follower of Christ and an active member of National Heights Baptist Church in Springfield. Prior to that, she faithfully attended and served at Macedonia Baptist Church. 
 
She worked at Professional Answering Service until her retirement in 2006. She also dedicated many years volunteering at the Grand Oak Baptist Mission alongside her husband Bill, and she continued serving faithfully even after his passing.
 
Up until the very end, she continued caring for those around her. She passed away peacefully at Republic Nursing and Rehab in Republic.
 
Services were at 11 a.m. March 4 at National Heights Baptist Church, Springfield.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Grand Oak Baptist Mission Center of Springfield.