Shirley Gracelyn (Clayton) Kiger
A memorial service for Shirley Gracelyn (Clayton) Kiger, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, May 3, 2015, at First Baptist Church.
Mrs. Kiger passed away peacefully on April 19, 2015 at Ozarks Medical Center, with loved ones at her side.
She was born February 17, 1930 at Beeville, Texas to Barton and Grace (White) Clayton. She graduated from Corpus Christi High School and Del Mar College before continuing her education at Texas A & I in Kingsville, Texas where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. Shirley married Paul Alan Kiger on July 7, 1951. Together they raised six children. She worked as a school librarian and English teacher from 1965 until 1983. Shirley served her church, First Baptist Church of West Plains, in various capacities. She was also involved in the Women’s Library Club II, Friends of the West Plains Library and Missouri Council of the Blind. She served for many years as a volunteer at First Baptist Church Food Bank, Ozarks Medical Center and the OMC Thrift Store.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Barton Leroy and Clara Grace (White) Clayton.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-three years, Paul Kiger, of the family home; six children, James Alan Kiger and wife Vicki, John Clayton Kiger, Jeffrey Lee Kiger and wife Maryann, Joel Chandler Kiger, Jeremy Charles Kiger and wife Brandy and Janet Stevenson and husband Mitch; eleven grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Burial will be at a later date in Beeville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Annie Armstrong Missions, American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Jordan Wood
April 21, 2015 @ 1:48 pm
Dear Paul;
I am so sorry for your loss and she was a good friend to my family. I’m thinking of you and your whole family in prayer.
Your Friend, Jordan from Lewistown
jeff barton
April 21, 2015 @ 9:08 pm
Paul and family so sorry for your loss , paul you and Shirley have made a life long impression on me and I am very thankful to have met you . May the Lord relive your grief and comfort you in your time of need , I am so thankful for the confidence in knowing she is in the arms of her savior .
Susan Ray Ferguson
April 21, 2015 @ 9:28 pm
Jim, Jeff & family, So sorry for your loss. She was a great lady, kind & caring. Loved her smile and her “southern accent”.
Nancy Gench Sitzmann
April 22, 2015 @ 7:35 am
So very sorry to hear about Shirley’s passing. Many memories of her in the library at Adrian High and being a library aide for her in the elementary library one summer . Thinking of all of you .
Jeanne & Jim Swope
April 23, 2015 @ 6:46 am
Paul and family, We extend our deepest sympathy to all of you in the death of your wife and mother. Shirley was such a sweet person and I always enjoyed visiting with her. I will miss seeing her at church and I pray for your comfort and peace during this sorrowful time.
Judy Wagner
April 23, 2015 @ 6:40 pm
Dear Paul & family,
You and Shirley have been such beautiful examples of what Christian love and kindness is all about.
You’ve touched so many lives and I feel especially Blessed to have had Shirley as my Sunday School
Teacher and mentor. Praying for God’s peace and comfort for all of you.
Tara Weaver
April 24, 2015 @ 12:44 pm
Paul and family,
My heart is with you during this time of loss. Shirley was an amazing person. Paul, you and Shirley have been so influential in my walk with Christ. The two of you have taught me what a servant’s heart should be. You have supported me since I was a little girl and new in faith all the way through the present day, difficult situations of faith and mother hood. Love you very much. Shirley will be missed so much by many, but I know she is dancing with Jesus now!
All my love,
Tara
James Ford
April 24, 2015 @ 2:32 pm
Dear Jeff and Family,
Please accept my condolence for the loss of your Mom and as I know her, Mrs. Kiger. She was one of my most favorite librarians, which takes us back many years ago. She was a wonderful person with lots of grace. May the peace of God, which passes all understand, be with you during this time. You are in my prayers!
Your Friend,
James
’75
Brenda Lambe
April 27, 2015 @ 8:05 pm
Shirley was such a fun person to work with. I so enjoyed knowing her. May God comfort your hearts.
Bonnell
April 28, 2015 @ 6:58 pm
Dear Paul, I was so sad to learn of Shirley’s passing. You have my sympathy . I enjoyed talking with Shirley. She was a wonderful lady. May God bless you always.
Beth Bristow
May 7, 2015 @ 3:15 pm
Shirley spent many hours preparing for and overseeing book sales at the library. I always looked for Shirley when I was considering buying one of the bargains; she would have some knowledge of the author, and whether the book was a good buy or not. She will be missed by many.
Blessings,
Beth (Lasswell) Bristow
Bill & Peggy Neil
May 11, 2015 @ 9:09 pm
Paul & family: We are so sorry for your loss. Shirley was such a fun and Good person. I enjoyed working with her at the Adrian School. Our prayers will be with you all as you go
through this hard time . Asking God to be with you each step of the way.
Love & prayers
Bill & Peggy Neil