Shirley Bode

Shirley Bode, 78 of Hannibal, MO, a beacon of love and faith, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2025, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra, MO. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Tabernacle of Praise Church in Hannibal, MO. Rev. Michael Neff will officiate. Private burial will be at Parklawn Cemetery in Brookfield, MO. Friends and Family are invited to Shirley's Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the church. There will be a visitation also from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Monday, June 30, 2025, at the church. The family is being served by the James O'Donnell Funeral Home of Hannibal, MO. Born on September 5, 1946, in Brookfield, MO, Shirley was the cherished daughter of Chester Swank and Ruth Mace Swank. Her life was a testament to the power of kindness and dedication to family, faith, and community. Shirley's early years were spent in the warmth of Brookfield, where she graduated from the local high school in 1964. Her thirst for knowledge and passion for education led her to further her studies at Hannibal La-Grange College, where she earned an Associate in Arts in 1966, and subsequently, Northeast Missouri State College, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1968. Shirley began her professional journey as an elementary school music teacher, a role that allowed her to share her love for melody and harmony with young minds. The call of family life soon beckoned, and Shirley embraced her role as a mother and farm wife with open arms. Her four children, Lewis, Dennis, Sarah, and Brian, were the center of her world and the recipients of her boundless love and freshly baked treats. She continued to nurture her passion for music by teaching piano, directing the church choir and accompanying on the piano. She later returned to the workforce as an Office Assistant at Central Stone Company where she worked until her retirement. Deeply rooted in her love for Jesus, her savior, Shirley was a longtime faithful member of the Tabernacle of Praise Church in Hannibal. She served as a Super Kids teacher for over 30 years, touching countless lives with her gentle guidance. Her dedication to the church extended to directing the Children's Christmas Program for many years and participating in the music ministries, where her love for old gospel hymns could be felt by all. She especially enjoyed the Prime Timers ministry and serving as needed. Shirley's interests were a reflection of her loving and kind nature. A volunteer with the Missouri Extension Service's Swine Care Program, she also taught 4-H classes, sharing her knowledge and compassion with the next generation. An avid reader, she found solace and joy in Christian Fiction. Her hands were rarely still, as she loved to crochet and made countless blankets for her family, each stitch a symbol of her love. Shirley's legacy lives on through her four children: Lewis Bode (Robin) of Hannibal, MO, Dennis Bode of Lenexa, KS, Sarah Bode of Columbia, MO, and Brian Bode (Betty) of Palmyra, MO; her eight grandchildren: Angela, Megan (Keenan), Scott, Collin, Jordyn, Destiny, Brett, and Bailee; one brother, Jerry Swank (Rosemary) of Buckner, MO, several in-laws and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bob Swank, and her niece Sharryl Bode. Shirley Bode's life was a beautiful symphony of love, kindness, and faith-filled devotion. Her smile will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her spirit, encapsulated in the music she adored and the family she cherished, will continue to inspire and comfort those she has left behind. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tabernacle of Praise Church for Children's Programs. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley, please visit our floral store.