Shirley Mayhall

Shirley L. Kinsfather Mayhall, 87, passed away May 19, 2015 in Abilene. Visitation will be 6:00 till 8:00 PM, Friday, May 22, 2015 at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 23, 2015 in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel.

Shirley L. Mayhall was born on September 24, 1928 in Mercedes, Texas to German immigrants Rev. John J. Kinsfather and Mollie Foos. At a very early age she learned to play the guitar and piano and thus began her lifelong ministry of music and singing for the Lord. During many of her father's revivals she played the guitar and she and her sister Elsie provided the music. She met the love of her life at the age of 13 when her dad was called to pastor the church in Ranger, Texas. She met Lonnie L. Mayhall Sr. on the first Sunday when the Mayhall family invited them out to their home in the country for Sunday dinner. Three and a half years later they were married at her dad's church in Ranger by Rev Lonzo Sides.

Lonnie Sr. and Shirley eventually settled in Abilene in 1953 on Westmoreland Street at the same home in which she has continued to reside for the last 62 years. They had four children; Sharon, Elaine, Janel and Lonnie Jr. She was an outstanding homemaker and also worked 18 years with AISD. She continued her music and singing ministry into her eighties at the First United Pentecostal Church of Abilene, that her Dad, the Rev. JJ Kinfather, pastored for 38 years. She was an amazing wife and mother who loved to cook, entertain her family, and take care of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Shirley also had an ongoing letter and card ministry as well as volunteering her vehicle to get other elderly friends and church members to and from church services or other places. She was diligent in reading the Bible daily and her favorite bible to read from was her parent's bible. She often commented on how her father would read from that very bible before every meal during her childhood. Although, she was unable to continue some of these activities in the last several years due to illness, she remained a steadfast, intercessory prayer warrior for her family, and church. She had a loving, outgoing personality and a huge heart for giving and helping others in her church and community.

She is survived by two children; Janel Mayhall Young and husband Gary of Tuscola, and Lonnie L. Mayhall Jr. and wife Sandy of Missouri City, Texas. Eight grandchildren; Curt Sanders, Chad Sanders and wife Nellie, Norman Sanders, Bert Young and wife Amber, Dr. Traci Young King and husband James, Malorie Mayhall Gilbert and husband Landon, Kaden Mayhall and Abigail Mayhall.; and fourteen Great-Grandchildren: Rode, Audrey, Dalton, Garrison, Hannah, Tate, Elaina, Madalynn, Caleb, JE, Jaxson, Deagan, Jenna and Bella. She is also survived by one son-in-law, Norman Sanders, II of Abilene and two aunts; Minnie B Kinsfather and Martha Genewinckle of New Braunfels, Texas; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Sr; her father, Rev JJ Kinsfather; mother, Mollie Foos Kinsfather; sister Elsie Windland and her husband JW; nephew Donnie Windland; grand-niece Kristi Windland; daughters Sharon Mayhall Sanders Watts and Elaine Sanders; and son-in-law Robert Sanders.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, TX, 79601.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family through the obituary link at www.elmwoodfuneral.com

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Friday, May 22, 2015
6:00-8:00 PM

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Saturday, May 23, 2015
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606