Memorial Services for Shirley Frances Leslie, 92, Lawrence, Kansas, will be 10 am, January 2, 2017, at Wetmore Bible Church, Wetmore, Kansas.
She died December 23, 2016 at a care home in Lawrence, Kansas. Shirley was born in Circleville, KS on September 8, 1924 to Ross and Florence McAllister.
Shirley graduated from Circleville High School in 1943. She spent several years working in a dress factory, Slimakers, in Holton, KS, where she learned skills she continued to use for many years, sewing clothing for both herself and daughter.
On April 22, 1959, she married Frank Leslie in Wetmore, Kansas. Shirley’s heart’s desire was to be a homemaker, Frank’s modest wages allowed her to stay home and devote herself to raising a family and providing a loving home.
While still in high school, Shirley became a Christian and her life focused on following the Word of her Savior, Jesus Christ. After high school, she wanted to attend Bible College but instead became a Bible scholar on her own. She had an extensive library of Christian books and Bible study materials heavily marked with underlined passages and notations that fed her mind and soul. Her faith and values were the foundation she and Frank shared with their children.
After becoming empty nesters Shirley and Frank took many vacations to Colorado. On these trips they visited Shirley’s sister Doris and husband Ken McCartney where they camped in the Rocky Mountains and saw other western states. The miles traveled and the stories told of these trips are memories that will endure.
Shirley is preceded in death by her father, Ross McAllister and mother, Florence McAllister, one brother Dale McAllister, and sister Doris McCartney.
She is survived by her husband Frank of 58 years; a son, Larry Rawlings, daughter Diana Buchanan both of Lawrence, Kansas; three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Shirley will be interred at McLouth Cemetery, McLouth, Kansas.
My dear aunt Shirley, you have always been a very special person in my life, giving love and encouragement all thru the years. I am so grateful for your Christian example and prayers. Yesterday I found this written on a page in your notebook: “I don’t know yet where the end of my journey will be, but I do know this – I will follow Him all the days of my life, and when this life is over, I will dwell in His house forever. May you be there too.” I love and miss you aunt Shirley, and I will see you again!
Thank you, Aunt Shirley, for sharing your faith and keeping all of your family in your prayers for so many years. You and Uncle Frank were the anchors in our family. We love you and miss you, and we look forward to seeing you again one day. I know you had a blessed reunion with Grandma, Mom, Uncle Dale and David.
Shirley your house was like a second home to me and I loved you guys very much. I will miss you.
Shirley was always very kind and pleasant to us. Always interested in what others had to say.
Grandma u will be missed dearly I miss u so so so much that it hurts but I do know that I will see u again up in heaven someday. U are up there with my little Angel Autumn Rose Shafer please say hi for me.