Shirley Jean (Brantley) Cavender

     Shirley Jean (Brantley) Cavender went to her heavenly home on February 1, 2025. She was eighty years old and was born to the late Everett Burnett Brantley and Imogene Devova (Lane) Brantley.  

     She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Darrell Cavender, son Todd (Michelle) Cavender, daughter Amy (Chris) Buchanan, and four grandchildren Jenny and Jesse Buchanan, and Kody and Kyle Cavender. She is also survived by one brother Leonard (Janice) Brantley, one sister Matilda (Jack) Grisham, one brother-in-law Charlie (Carol) Cavender and several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother Arthur Brantley, and her father and mother-in-law Jesse and Louise Cavender.

     She was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher. She graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1982 while at the same time raising a family. Her desire to be a school teacher was obvious to anyone who knew her.  She took great pride in being a teacher and taught for twenty-five years for the Harrisburg Unit #3 School District at all the following schools; Independence Elementary, West Side Elementary, and East Side Elementary.  She taught at several grade levels and then earned her certificate to be a reading specialist. After retirement, she continued to teach part-time for six more years at West Side Elementary, East Side Elementary, and Galatia Elementary. She truly enjoyed her teaching career and all her interactions with numerous staff and students.

     She was an active member of New Castle Baptist Church and a member of the College Club. She loved and cherished her family and friends. Her grandchildren were her absolute pride and joy. She always enjoyed bible study groups and exercising, especially swimming at the hub with her "hub buddies".  She liked to go camping and hiking, was an avid reader, and enjoyed watching sports especially when it included someone she loved. She enjoyed traveling and was able to take many adventures during her lifetime. Praise God she is now experiencing the ultimate journey as she enters the pearly gates of heaven to be with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

     Funeral services for Shirley Jean Cavender will be held at 2 PM, Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Stricklin Funeral Home in Harrisburg. Rev. Mark Hutson will officiate and burial will follow in Sunset Garden Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 AM to 2 PM, Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Stricklin Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be received at the funeral home.

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