Shirley Jeane Paine Fife

1935 - 2022

Shirley Shirley Fife, loving wife, mother and grandmother went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 31, 2022.

Shirley was born in Houston, Texas on July 10, 1935 to J.O. (Buck) and Juanita Paine. She moved to San Marcos when she was 12 and was living in San Marcos at the time of her death. After graduating from San Marcos High School in 1953, she attended Southwest Texas State University where she earned a degree in education with a minor in speech therapy. While at Southwest Texas, where she was a cheerleader, she was introduced by her father, Buck, to Jimmy, who was a football player, and in less than a year they were married on July 10, 1957 on Shirley's 21st birthday at the First Baptist Church of San Marcos.

In 1958 after the birth of their daughter, Kathy, they moved to Luling where son Jim was born, then in 1960 they moved to Karnes City where son John was born and then they moved to Houston in 1962 where son Jerry was born. Shirley's longing to be back in her hometown of San Marcos near her parents and grandparents prompted their return in 1965.

After returning to her beloved San Marcos, Shirley started Wonderland School in 1965 and says she never worked a day in her life because she was doing what God called her to do. She owned and operated Wonderland for 30 years at which time Shirley and Jimmy sold the school to their son, Jim. Shirley loved children and she loved to teach them to read, and touched the lives of many children over the years of her teaching career. She was still teaching at age 80 when she had a stroke that prevented her from continuing to do what she loved best. At that time, Shirley was teaching many second-generation students and loved telling people that bit of information.

Shirley was a devout Christian and loved the Lord with her whole heart. She and Jimmy were active members in the First Baptist Church in Wimberley and sang in the choir, were members of the Seekers Sunday School class, and served on numerous church committees.

She is survived by Jimmy Fife, her loving husband of 65 years. She is also survived by her children, Kathy Donaldson (Darrell) of New Braunfels, Jim Fife (Tammy) of New Braunfels and John Fife of Trophy Club, grandchildren John Kyle Schauer (Monica), Lane Fife, Luke Fife (Ashley), Daniel Fife, Julia Fife, Chyloe Fife, Kerry Schauer, Kristi Schauer, Jacob Fife and Rebekah Fife, brother-in-law Bill Gulledge, brother-in-law Dale (Wanda) Fife as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her son, Jerry Fife, her parents, Buck and Juanita Paine, her in-laws Johanna and William Henry Fife, her sister Barbara Paine Ables, sister Linda Gulledge and nephews John (Buck) Ables and Beau Fife.

The family would like to thank Robin Williams for her care and love, her excellent caregivers from Heart to Heart Hospice as well as the wonderful caregivers and staff at Sage Spring Retirement Center.

A visitation is scheduled for Friday, April 8, 2022 from 5 to 7 at Pennington Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church San Marcos on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Shirley Fife Education Foundation at Ozona Bank.

Arrangements in care of Pennington Funeral Home, 323 N. Comanche, San Marcos, Texas 78666.

512-353-4311 ~ www.penningtonfuneralhome.com