Shirley A. Stough's Obituary
Shirley A. Stough, age 81, went home to be with our Lord on December 16, 2016. Born October 28, 1935, in Gary, Indiana, Shirley was the only child of Ligon and Dorothy Johnson. She was raised in a Christian home. Her Grandmother, Martina James, was a founding member of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Gary, Indiana.
Shirley met and married in 1980 the love of her life, Samuel Leo Stough Jr. They had 36 beautiful years together.
Precious memories will be cherished by her dedicated and loving husband, Samuel, of Tacoma, WA; her 4 Children, Natasha A. Brown of Tacoma, WA.; Eugene M. Brown Jr., of Las Vegas, NV.; Michele M. Hicks of Orlando, FL. and Christopher J. Brown of Everett, WA; Ten grandchildren, Fifteen great-grandchildren, a great-great grandchild due in June 2017; Cousins, Antoinette Price of Gary, IN.; Joetta & Yolanda Brannon and Dairyene & Antoine Wooten, of Tacoma, WA and a host of other relatives and friends.
Shirley raised her children in the faith she’d come to know, with understanding, love, and compassion and was steadfast and involved in their growth and development into adulthood.
She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana. She attended The Evergreen State College in Tacoma, WA where she graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree. Shirley was a talented and skilled accountant for St. Regis Lumber Mill for 12 years and for 15 years, a loyal and dedicated Secretary for the Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, until her retirement.
Shirley was an excellent seamstress and an above average bowler. Some of her favorite past times and hobbies included arts and crafts, reading, and watching her favorite soap operas. Shirley was a member of the Mary Church Terrell Civic and Social Club and the Women’s Auxiliary of Tacoma Goodwill Industries.
Shirley lived in a multitude of places, including Las Vegas, Nevada; Youngstown, Ohio; Maiden Hall, England; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Naha, Okinawa, prior to settling in Tacoma, WA. She had many special friends in Tacoma. Among her dear and special friends is Jeanette Johnson, with whom she worked in Chicago during her youth. In Tacoma, she befriended and stayed in close contact with Florence West, Winifred Killian, Gwen Pace as well as neighbors, Jean McKelly and Hattie Watson.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 12:00-8:00 p.m. at Mountain View Funeral Home, Lakewood.
A celebration of Shirley's life will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, 11:00 a.m., at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Tacoma. Interment at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood. Immediately following graveside a repass will be held at Bethlehem Baptist Church.
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