Shirley Marie Davidson

Shirley Marie Davidson, 70, of Basco, passed away Wednesday, January 25th, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage, IL surrounded by her family.  The daughter of Virginia and Elmer Sparrow, Shirley was born on April 15, 1952 in Keokuk, IA.  She graduated from Keokuk High School in 1970 and was united in marriage to Stanley “Dobie” Davidson on May 9, 1970 in the First Christian Church in Keokuk. 

Shirley was a Customer Service Manager at Walmart in Keokuk for over 20 years, retiring in 2010.  Shirley was a 47-year member of Eastern Star and past Matron of Browning Chapter in Denver, Il. and, along with Stanley, who was a 33rd Degree Mason, was very involved in the lodges in Adams and Hancock County.  And, when her children were young, Shirley was actively involved in 4-H for many years with the Bear Creek Buddies.  In addition, for many years, Shirley served on the Advisory Board for the Hamilton, IL Rainbow Girls.   

Shirley and Stanley enjoyed traveling to various Masonic functions around the country, as well as trips to Daytona Beach, Florida.  One of her favorite trips was to New York and Niagara Falls.  For many years, they would make an annual summer pilgrimage to Branson, Missouri where they had a cabin on Lake Taneycomo.

In addition to spending time with her family, Shirley loved sewing and quilting.  Most recently, she had taken to watching birds feed outside her living room window.  She especially loved the cardinals as they reminded her of beloved Stanley.    

Shirley is survived by three daughters and a son: Melissa (David) Harbin of Quincy, IL, Melita (Stephen) Finney of Carthage, IL, Andrew Davidson of Basco, IL and Andrea (Rick) Epley of Fall Creek, IL; eleven grandchildren: Zachary (Kendra) Harbin of Kansas City, KS, Alexander (Mykah Hurley) Harbin of Quincy, IL, Noah Harbin of Quincy, Kaytan Finney and Jordan Finney of Carthage, Kara (Isaac Barboza) Davidson of Fortville, IN, Collin Davidson, Jacob Davidson and Ethan Davidson of Indianapolis, IN; Brandon (Dakota) Epley of Fall Creek, IL, and Jeremy Epley of Hull, IL; three great-grandchildren: Atticus Harbin, Sophia and Sadie Epley.  Shirley is also survived by three brothers and one sister: Allen Sparrow, David (Stacey) Sparrow, Kevin (Donna Gene) Sparrow and Linda Davis; four sisters-in-law: Phyllis (Mike) Taylor, Gloria (Greg) Drexelius, Rosemary McNeil and Barbara Davidson, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

In addition to her husband, Stanley, Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, brothers-in-law Dallas Davidson and Richard McNeil and sister-in-law, Celia Lyon.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, January 29, at 2:00 pm at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage, Illinois with burial to follow at the South Cemetery in Basco, Illinois. There will be a visitation and celebration of life on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage.  Visitation will be held from 3 – 7 pm with family meeting friends from 5 – 7 pm. Immediately following the visitation, there will be a public Eastern Star service held at 7 pm at the funeral home. 

Memorials may be made out to the Memorial Hospital Foundation (Physical therapy department) in Carthage and Browning Chapter #262, Order of Eastern Star.

Printy Funeral Home in Carthage, Illinois is in charge of the arrangements.

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