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Shirley Stella Obituary
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Born June 15, 1955, in Berea, Kentucky, to Russell and Leota Bowles Cunagin, Shirley's family moved to Richmond when she was a toddler. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1973. Shirley worked in several retail stores in the area, and while she worked at King's Department store oversaw their participation in the Jerry Lewis Telethon. She enjoyed flowers and always had a garden full of them, going to garage and yard sales, visiting the mountains (especially in Tennessee), Charlie Brown and the Peanuts, and staying connected to family in Kentucky where she was born. Family was a priority for Shirley. She loved animals and she and Tom had rescued many dogs over the years.
Survivors include her husband of 42 years, Tom "Bill" Stella, to whom she was married on May 28, 1983; children, Jerry Stamper, Tommy (Tracy) Stella, and Angie Cox (John); seven grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; a bonus daughter Tori Lear and her daughter and son; special friend, Kathy Wise; nieces; nephews; and their four rescue dogs, Maggie May, Wiley, Teddy, and Jessy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and only sister, Rosalee Wilmot, who passed away on July 5, 2025.
Visitation for Shirley Ann Stella will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home. Burial will follow in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Help the Animals, Inc., PO Box 117, Richmond, IN 47375.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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