Shirley James-Johnson

Life began for Shirley James-Johnson on June 2, 1952 in Dallas, Texas to the union of Willie N and Doris Faye James who have both preceded her in death. Throughout Shirley’s youth, she was raised as a Christian while attending True Lee Missionary Baptist Church. Mirroring after her parents and their love for Christ, she too accepted Jesus as her Savior. She attended and graduated from James Madison High School in 1971. From Madison High, Shirley went on to attend East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in Spring 1973, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Fashion Merchandising. Shirley was a young, vibrant, energetic, fun-loving and hilariously funny woman. Anyone that came in contact with Shirley enjoyed her personality, and she rarely met a stranger.

There was one stranger that Shirley met in the summer of 1988 that stole her heart…Joshua Johnson. When the two met and dated, it was no secret that Shirley was a single mother of one child, JaCoi. Joshua accepted and loved JaCoi as his own biological daughter without any hesitation. Shirley and Josh dated for roughly two years prior to joining in holy matrimony on June 23, 1990. The two lovebirds started a new life together once moving to Arlington, Texas.

Shirley was employed by United States Postal Service for 40 years in which she received several accolades. Shirley was a very knowledgeable woman who was sought after daily for her expertise in her most recent role as an HRM Specialist at the Coppell, Texas branch. Shirley was a woman who cherished her family dearly. She was a loving, selfless kind of woman and would do anything for anyone. For anyone that knew her well, knew that she loved her job and loved spending time with friends and close relatives, but the Lord loved her more. The Lord saw fit to bring His child home, and with that, she entered into eternal rest on January 30, 2022 at 5:28pm.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband Joshua Johnson; only daughter, JaCoi James Pugh (Corey); sisters Glenda Cash, Verita Ingram (Dexter), Evelyn James; and brothers Michael R. James and Barnese Bell, Jr (Shirley). She is also survived by her grandchildren Kerrington (11) and CJ (15 months); her grand-pups Max and Duke; nieces Taylor Ingram Caldwell (Randall) and Mallory Ingram; nephews Donald Cash, Jr and Alan Bell (Sandra) and a host of other relatives and friends.

God looked around his garden- And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth- And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you -And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful -He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering -He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never – Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough – And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids – And whispered, ‘Peace be thine’.
It broke our hearts to lose you – But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you – The day God called you home.
–Anonymous