Shirley Pan

Shirley Pan, born July 15, 1944, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2025.
Shirley was born in Xingye County, Guangxi Province, China. At the age of two, she emigrated with her parents to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, fleeing the Communist Revolution. Her father, Wu Dayan, was a professor at a military college, and her mother was Pang Pinsheng. From an early age, Shirley's life was shaped by resilience, education, and a deep respect for learning.
She attended Kaohsiung High School and later National Chengchi University, where she majored in Education. After graduating, Shirley taught middle school for two years before pursuing further opportunities abroad. In 1970, she was accepted to graduate school at Auburn University, where she met her future husband, Ching-Shan Pan. Shirley earned her Master's degree in Education in 1972 and went on to teach middle school in Eufaula, Alabama for three years.
In 1975, Shirley and her husband moved to New Orleans, where she embraced a diverse and fulfilling professional life. She ran a gift shop, taught at Chinese School, and ultimately found her calling in higher education. Shirley taught Chinese and Asian Studies in the History Department at Tulane University for 14 years, where she was admired for her knowledge, cultural insight, and dedication to her students.
Two years after Hurricane Katrina, Shirley and her husband relocated to Houston to be closer to friends. There, she devoted herself to many of her favorite pursuits, including Tai Chi, yoga, and watercolor painting. Shirley was a prolific reader with wide-ranging interests, particularly in investing and personal finance, Chinese cooking, and Eastern medicine. Her intellectual curiosity and disciplined approach to learning remained constant throughout her life.
Shirley is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Ching Pan; her son, Johnny; her granddaughter, Elizabeth; her older sister, Wei Li Woo; and her younger sisters, Christina Woo and Carrie Woo.
Shirley will be remembered for her strength, intellect, lifelong love of learning, and quiet devotion to family and friends. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched as a teacher, scholar, wife, mother, and grandmother.
Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home 306 N 4th St. Rogers. Ar 72756