Shirley JoAnn Sisson, 88, of Blue Springs, Missouri passed away at home on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 8, 2023 at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, Missouri. Service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
She was proceeded in death by her parents and husband John. Shirley is survived by daughter, Pamela Flake (Larry Wallace); daughter, Janet Allen; son, Kevin (Mary Beth) Callahan; daughter, Shelly (Jeff) Bryant; 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; and sister, Phyllis (Robert) St. Louis.
Shirley was born at home in Kansas City, Missouri, daughter of Peter Louis and Goldie Ellen (Mason) Burasco. She attended St Thomas the Apostle Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas and Cardinal Glennon High School in Kansas City, Mo. After graduation in 1952, she briefly worked at Lerners and Hallmark, got married, and started her family in 1955. In 1957, she began working at Sears, first on Cleveland, then the Service Center, where she met her second husband John, whom she married in 1976. She moved to the Independence Center store in 1973. After several attempts at retiring, she eventually retired from Sears permanently in 2016. Her 58 years of service seemed more than enough.
Shirley was one of the most giving persons that ever lived, and this made her a favorite of her grandkids, nieces, and nephews. No one could welcome you into their home like Shirley. Her smile was infectious, and her caring knew no bounds. Going to her house always was a treat, both figuratively and literally. The candy drawer was always full and the freezer always had ice cream.
Shirley’s greatest love and achievement were her children and grandchildren. Outings with her kids and grandkids included trips to Texas, Myrtle Beach, Disney World, Colorado, California, and Branson, as well as the annual river floats in Missouri. She and her husband John also enjoyed taking the RV to Branson with just the two of them and their ever-present dog. And when the weather got cold in Missouri, she enjoyed some winter getaways to Phoenix to visit her sister, Phyllis.
Life is a journey, and Shirley made that journey much more enjoyable for everyone she came in contact. It was impossible to be around Shirley and be unhappy. Her smile was infectious, and her love and caring were contagious. She brought out the good in everyone she touched.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441
Katherine Reighley
8 Dec 2023Shirley was such a great neighbor of ours for 32 years, we will miss her & her sweet smile!
Lori Grahl
8 Dec 2023Working with Shirley at Sears, was a delightful experience. She always had a smile and an infectious laugh, as we would sit and talk about our time outside of the store. Her love of family and friends showed in all her actions. I cannot say it enough what a wonderful woman, friend and employee – she was. I look forward to seeing her again one day on the other side of this life, and catching up. She was a treasure that I was fortunate to have in my life.
Love and miss her. Lori Grahl