Obituaries

"Sail on silver girl Sail on by Your time has come to shine All your dreams are on their way See how they shine..." Martha Jeannette Shurtleff passed peacefully April 4th 2011. Born in Chicago Dec. 2 1932 the daughter of Samuel and Janet Gray she grew up in Homewood IL where she attended Bloom High School. Later while working as a secretary in Chicago and helping out her parents in their "Little Mike Grill" on the city"s south side she met her "rock" and future husband Wilford Shurtleff while on a skiing trip. She stayed busy raising five children in their home in Hinsdale IL and then in Garland TX where they moved in 1976. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband who passed three months after their 50th wedding anniversary. She is survived by her five children, Michael of Dallas Jeannette and husband David Jones of Cedar Hill William of Plano David and wife Lesa of Colorado Springs CO. and Linnea and husband John Williams of Sherman TX. Also survived by 8 grandchildren, Christopher Shurtleff Samuel Jones Zachary Jones Shannon Shurtleff Jared Shurtleff Emily Williams Joseph Williams and Matt Ransom. And five great grandchildren, Corey Shurtleff Portlen Shurtleff-Munson Ryland Shurtleff-Munson Logan Ransom and Patience Ransom. Also survived by her loving brother Samuel Gray and his wife June of Canton IL nephew Bob Shurtleff neices Debbie Courtney Laurie Wilcoxen Lisa Park and Karin Crain sister in law Joan Shurtleff and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. Martha had a big heart which was filled with compassion for those around her. She was a prolific poet and enjoyed attending meetings of the Mockingbird Chapter of the Poetry Society of Texas. A memorial service will be held Monday April 11 at 11a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas 408 Park Ave. Dallas TX. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children"s Research Hospital or a book may be donated to a local library. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home in Sherman Texas.