Shirley Jean Kellar

Shirley Jean Spivey Kellar passed away peacefully Friday, March 22, 2024, with her devoted husband holding her hand and family by her side.

A graveside service will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas. Arrangements by Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. The Reverend Ron Durham will officiate the service. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held in Abilene, Texas, at a later date.

Shirley was born in Waco on August 18, 1935, to her loving parents, Iris and Garland Spivey. Her Daddy called her “SugarPie” her whole life. She grew up with her younger brother, LG, and was a kind and nurturing big sister! Her childhood friend, Marshall Kellar, lived “back to back” behind her house on Dallas Street. Their story resumed later in life when they reunited after 47 years apart, fell in love, and married.

Shirley completed 2 years at Baylor University before marrying USAF pilot George Kickliter, the father of her 2 daughters, Kim and Karen. Despite being a small-town girl, Shirley loved travel and new cultures in her 25 years as a military wife! Often moving every 3-6 months, “home” included Air Force bases Maxwell in AL, Davis-Monthan in AZ, Lockbourne in OH, Wright Patterson in OH, Hahn in Germany, Perrin in TX, Misawa in Japan, Clark in The Philippines, McClellan in CA, MacDill in FL. She also lived in San Antonio, TX, Waco TX, Abilene, TX.

Shirley worked as an executive assistant to the Regional Site Director of USAA for 10 years at the Tampa, FL headquarters. Other jobs included office manager at an Infectious Disease Office at the University of South Florida, and 15 years running a legal office in Tampa, FL. On the Air Force bases she was a greeter with the hospitality committee, making people feel loved and graciously welcoming newcomers. She was active with the Officers Wives Club supporting base programs. Shirley often modeled in fund-raising Fashion Shows. A kind and natural Southern Beauty inside and out, people could see her light shine around her!

While working outside the home, she also was a HOME maker in the best sense of the word! Organizing family gatherings was a favorite activity, relishing the reunion of loved ones. Relationships were her highest priority in life, writing letters before cell phones and computers to stay close with friends and family even while living across an ocean. Her faith in Jesus Christ and belief in the power of prayer and forgiveness will always be her legacy. After worshipping in churches wherever she lived throughout the world, she attended the University Church of Christ her last 22 years in Abilene.

Shirley was devoted to her 2 daughters Kim and Karen, and to her husband Marshall of 22 years. Marshall and Shirley shared 5 children, 8 grandchildren, and 14.5 great grandchildren (#15 on the way). She had a huge capacity to love and cherished time with all her combined family. Marshall and Shirley were a real team in life, devoted to each other and their sweet dog Teddy Bear! She loved directing the days’ activities from her raspberry recliner! Her “travel chair” went all over the place with Marshall driving it cautiously to keep his HoneyPie and Baby safe. Their love for each other was clear and people commented on it wherever they went, and strangers often paid for their meals when they were on roadtrips across the country. Matthew 5:16 was a favorite bible verse of Shirley’s mother and exemplifies her daughter, “Sweet Shirley.” “Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so they will praise your heavenly father. “

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Iris Fay Spivey and Lindsey Garland Spivey; daughter, Kim Kickliter Seavey; and her brother, Lindsey Garland Spivey II.

She is survived by her husband, Marshall M. Kellar of Abilene,TX; daughter, Karen Kickliter Witt and husband Cam of Waco, TX; her children by marriage: Steve Kellar and wife Beth of Abilene, TX; Gayla McGrew of Abilene, TX; Gina Malaer and husband Richard of Abilene, TX; and her grandchildren: Courtney Witt Vince and husband Dan of Morristown, NJ; Caroline Witt Vandracsek and husband Laszlo of Rockwall, TX; Rayner Seavey of London, England and his father, Bill Seavey of Safety Harbor, FL; Her grandchildren by marriage: Andi Kellar Davenport and husband Jeremy of Dallas,TX; Michael Kellar of Dallas, TX; Jordan Nelson Kiger and husband Matt of Dallas, TX; Ronnie Nelson and wife Taryn of Abilene, TX; Tina Malaer of Corpus Christi, TX; as well as 14 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in memory of Shirley Kellar to: Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene, hendrickhealth.org; Abilene Meals on Wheels, mealswheelsplus.com; or University Church of Christ Abilene, uccabilene.org/give

The family invites you to leave a message on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.