Shirley Hellen Engel Thomas

Shirley Hellen Engle Thomas, age 72, of Purmela, passed away Friday, January 12, 2018. Private family graveside services will be held. A lunch for family and friends will be at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at Pearl Church of Christ followed by at memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Shirley was born on March 26, 1945 in Sidney, New York to Archie Sterling Engel and Zelma Celista Wakeman. She attended school in New York, California, and Texas, graduating from Evant High School as salutatorian in 1963. On October 26, 1982, she was blessed with a beautiful and loving daughter, Becky Ruth Thomas. She loved horses and her dogs, but her pride and joy was “SHE Ranch” and Becky. Shirley enjoyed having the school children from Jonesboro Elementary for class trips. They were treated to a day of riding her horses, riding in her original doctor’s buggy, milking goats, playing with animals, and the grand finale, included a wiener roast with her “Texas Brownies.” She was the ultimate “animal whisperer” and healer. She was a member of the Purmela Baptist Church. She was passionate about working at sale barns in West, Hamilton, and especially Clifton. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Richard Harvey Engel; horse, Sandy; and favorite pug, Cheater. Shirley is survived by her daughter, Becky Ruth Thomas Schiferl and husband, Major Jonathan Schiferl; sister, Florence Tipton; brother, Raymond Engel and John Engel; two grandchildren, Ivan Thomas Schiferl and Joy Delana Schiferl; and three dogs, Sunny, Molly, and Audi. Memorials may be made to Pearl Church of Christ, 6790 FM 183, Gatesville, Texas 76528, Engel Family Cemetery or to Levita, Evant, or Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Depts.