Shirley Mason Spencer Barrett

Shirley Mason Spencer Barrett passed peacefully on March 10, 2021, to meet Jesus face-to-face at 94 years of age.  She was born October 5, 1926 in her grandparent’s home in Grassy Creek, NC, to Mary Parsons Spencer and Charlie Wylie Spencer.

Shirley spent her childhood on the family farm doing chores, and learning to sew and garden and cook on a wood-fired stove. She graduated from the Virginia-Carolina High School. She then attended Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, NC, graduating from a one-year secretarial school, which provided her foundation of education and hard work. Moving to Detroit, MI, in 1944, she went to work for Hudson Motor Car Company. At St. Mark’s Methodist Church, Shirley met, then later married, Len Barrett in 1948.

They relocated to Tucson, AZ, for a short time, then moved to El Paso, TX, where they lived for 48 years. Shirley worked for Westinghouse Electric Company. Later in life, she worked as an Election Judge, a Census taker and occasionally at Wainwright Elementary School’s office. She was active in Wainwright’s PTA and received a Lifetime Membership in the Texas State PTA. She served as a longtime volunteer at Mountain View United Methodist Church and their United Methodist Women’s group where she was awarded an honorary Life Membership and pin. For many years, she also participated in a monthly neighborhood bridge group.

In December 1997, Len and Shirley sold their home in El Paso and moved to Midland, TX. They joined First United Methodist Church and were very active in the Fellowship Class.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leonard, in 2009.  The second of six children, Shirley is also preceded in death by all of her siblings: Marjorie Duncan; Pauline Wheeler; twins Robert and Elizabeth Spencer; Josephine Wheeler and John Spencer; as well as, brothers-in-law Branard Duncan, Richard Wheeler and Jack Wheeler; sister-in-law Letty Spencer; and daughter-in-law Myra Barrett.

Shirley is survived by her four children: Gerald Barrett of Austin, TX; Edward Barrett and wife Marilyn of Mesa, AZ; Victor Barrett of Sevierville, TN; and Sally Reed and husband Tommy of Midland, TX.

She is also survived by her eleven grandchildren; Carolyn Barrett; Beverly Barrett; Amy Martin; Brian Barrett and wife Mandy; Erin Armstrong and husband Zach; Jenny Blackwell and husband Jeremy; Michelle Dunahee and husband Matt; Stacy Burnett; Becky DiLiberto and husband Stephan; Spencer Reed and wife Maggie; Katherine Hird and husband Tim; two sisters-in-law, Marjorie Barrett of El Paso, TX; and Denise Spencer of Shelby Township, MI; and thirty great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to First United Methodist Fellowship Class, 300 N Main Street, Midland, TX 79701, and designate to the Partner’s Class, or to The Midland Red Cross, P.O. Box 60310, Midland, TX. 79711, in memory of Shirley Barrett.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 2021 at First United Methodist Church Chapel in Midland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.