Shirley Anne Rue

Shirley “Sammy” Reed-Rue There has been a theft, Grand Theft in fact! Alzheimer’s is the thief that stole the light from our Mother’s eyes. Born on Christmas day in 1931, she was a gift for many to come. For most of her 88 years Mom was vibrant, caring, hostess with the mostess, and genuinely kind person. She has touched so many lives with her kind gestures. She loved and was loved by two incredible men… Our Dad, Roy, they were married 29 years and our StepDad, Freeman they were married almost 22 years. Both men fell deeply in love with her and loved her fiercely through their lives. You could see that they were matches made in Heaven. She raised three incredible and unique daughters, Kathie, Lori and Stacy. She was one of the pioneering working Mom’s, but she was always home when school was out. She worked 22 years for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Long Beach. As kids we would not be surprised if we found Mom in the kitchen making an ad hoc buffet breakfast for the neighborhood. Swedish pancakes were a favorite of many! The door to our home was always open and Mom always had a cup of coffee/tea and conversation waiting. Speaking of conversation, in the days of tethered phones we used to joke that Mom was going to get cauliflower ear because the phone seemed to be attached to her ear. She volunteered to be a Girl Scout leader and held that post through three daughters from Brownies to Seniors. From cookies to camping in tents to sailing, she was all in. She was a surrogate Mom for many of the girls in the Troups, offering advice and a warm hug Mom was an outdoorswoman, kinda, truth be told she really loved the luxury of a BIG trailer (especially if they had indoor plumbing!). She was always Sammy to her friends, Aunt Shirley to her nieces and nephews, but loved by all. Sammy was preceded in death by her husbands, Roy and Freeman, her sister Patricia Chilvers and her brother Robert Moore. Sammy is survived by her Daughters: Kathie (JT) Shanks, Lori (Jim) Shipman, Stacy (Kirk) Black, Stepdaughters: Jane (Curtis) Strawn, Cecilia (Scot) Mullins and Laura (Kevin) Caldwell. Sammy leaves behind 16 Grandchildren and Great Grandma 21 Great Grandchildren. The family would also like to recognize LaTricia James and Susan Johnson for their companionship and the care given to our Mom. You are greatly appreciated, and your kindness made a difference in her life and ours. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Reflections Hospice of Texas, Alzheimer Association or the Mineola League of Arts. Graveside services will be for immediate family only due to COVID. Memorial services will be held at a later date.