Shirley, Cristena

Christena Shirley

Services: Have been held.

Mrs. Christena Shirley, 78, died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at her home near Portales.

She was born May 1, 1925, in Post, Texas, to Elizabeth Jewel and Levi Floyd Joiner.

She moved to Portales when she was 3 years old. When she was 6, she moved to the Liberty community. In 1935, she moved to Fort Sumner. She married G.R. Shirley on Dec. 6, 1943, in Santa Rosa. She made her home in Fort Sumner and Portales until 1969 when she made Portales her permanent home. She was a member of Brazos Street Church of Christ. Family members said she enjoyed cooking, sewing and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Bobby Joiner.

Survivors include her husband, G.R. “Garland: Shirley; four sons, Jim (and wife, Betty) Shirley and Ronny (and wife, Barbara) Shirley, all of Portales, Gailen Shirley of Clovis and Steve (and wife, Linda) Shirley of Hagerman; two daughters, Nita (and husband, Herschell) Nixon and Judy Shirley, all of Portales; 17 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ken Joiner of Irving, Texas, and Murrel Joiner of Clovis; two sisters, Virginia Knepp of Canyon, Texas, and Alene Martin of Clovis; a sister-in-law, Marquetta Joiner of Pampa, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, “adopted” children and grandchildren and lots of great friends.

Dee Teal, Wayne Baker and Bud Jones officiated the services.

Burial was at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Cody Shirley, Bill Bevel, Shane Shirley, Austin Hall, Sammy Shirley, Gailen Shirley, Bryan Nixon, Bobby Nixon, Kris Nixon, Bruce Nixon, Keith Nixon, Adam Peacock and Frank Levacy.

Honorary bearers were her church family along with her doctors.

Memorial contributions may be made to an account established in her memory at First Bank.

Wheeler Mortuary of Portales handled arrangements.