SHIRLEY ATKINS

1935 - 2015

SHIRLEY ATKINS
WESLACO - Shirley Atkins passed away on November 7, 2015 in McAllen, Texas at Briarcliff Nursing Rehab Center. Born Shirley Ann Davies in Alamo, Texas April 17, 1935, her life focused on music, animals, and the Tower Theatre of Weslaco. She was pre-deceased by her parents Blanche Opal Bandy Davies and Edward Rees Davies. She is survived by her daughter, Risë Atkins Morris, her grandson, Michael David Morris, and her son-in-law, Martin Edward Morris. Her first job was an assistant at the Valley Animal Hospital in Pharr and she lived her life with a special dedication to animals. Shirley graduated from PSJA High School and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in music from Pan American University, attending on a string bass scholarship, and taught music for 38 years, band for one year and choir the rest of that time. She was a Board Member of Texas Music Educators Association, and was a member of the Mid-Valley Civic Chorus, which had the opportunity to sing in operas with the San Antonio Symphony and had the honor of performing in productions starring opera singer, Beverly Sills. She directed choirs in numerous churches in the Valley through the years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. She was one of the original members of the Board of Directors of the Tower Theatre of Weslaco and continued with her involvement with the Tower Theatre for the next 42 years, providing music for the productions and sharing the duties of running the theatre and directing plays with her daughter, Risë, who performed in her first play at the Theatre when she was 6 years old. She was able to experience the joy of watching her grandson begin participating in performances at the theatre when he was 3 years old. Shirley loved music, especially classical music and Broadway Musicals. She was the musical director for numerous productions at the Tower Theatre, including large productions such as Oliver and The Sound of Music on that little theatre in the round stage at the Tower Theatre. She is responsible for giving 100s of children and adults an opportunity to work together to create live theatre over the years and hundreds more to enjoy those performances. Shirley loved teaching children to sing and taught many children to play the piano, and she experienced a special joy in teaching her grandson, Michael, to sing and play the piano and in her later years enjoyed periodic concerts by Michael playing his current instrument of choice. She had a PASSION for the Tower Theatre and her dogs and cats.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Aurora Funeral Home Sam Houston 706 W. Sam Houston, Pharr, TX. at 3:00 pm.
Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Shirley please donate to Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, Medina, Texas.
Arrangements are entrusted to Aurora Funeral Home Sam Houston of Pharr.
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