Shirley Ellen Spires Hart

Shirley Ellen Spires Hart, 80, was born March 6, 1941, and passed away July 22, 2021. Hart was born to Charles Henry and Shirley Alice Spires in Springfield. She accepted Jesus into her heart at age seven at Wayside Assembly Church and became a member of Seminole Baptist Temple at the age of 12 and was baptized at 16. She was a member of Halltown Baptist Church and the Sac River Cowboy Church where she had many friends. She was a member of two Bible study groups, Circle of Sisters and Tuesday Morning Bible Study both at Sac River Cowboy Church. Hart attended Springfield schools and was a member of Alpha Tau Phi sorority at Central High School. She married Junior Ray Hart Nov. 30, 1960, at Walnut Street Christian Church. To this union, two children were born: Michael Ray in 1962 and Richard Allen in 1965.
Hart worked at Lily Tulip for seven years and General Electric for 19 years.
Hart is survived by one son: Richard Allen Hart (Mandy); five grandchildren: three great- grandchildren; two step grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; sister June Barnhart and family of Highlandville; brother-in-law Robert Healey of Springfield; sister-in-law Pam Watkins of Springfield; nephew Bobby Healey of Springfield; niece Diana Schlueter of Tierra Verde, Fla.; nephew David Healey (Cheryl) of Fort Smith, Ark.; niece Jean Martin of Licking; and niece Lisa Denbow (Steve) of Licking.
Hart was preceded in death by her parents; husband Junior Ray Hart; son Michael Ray Hart; sister Pearl Healey; daughter-in-law Jeanne Hart; nephew Steven Healey; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Randy and Belva Watkins; father-in-law and mother-in-law Bill and Ruth Hart and brother-in-law Elza Martin. A celebration of life was at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home at 2001 W. Walnut Lawn St. in Springfield on Tuesday, July 27, with a visitation beginning at 3 p.m. and memorial services beginning at 4 p.m.