Shirley Irene (Rice) May

Shirley May, a cherished member of the Marion, Illinois community, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Born and raised in DuQuoin, the daughter of Howard and Irene Rice. Shirley found her passion as a beautician, dedicating 55 years to making her clients look and feel their best. Her work spanned across Chicago and Marion, Illinois, including time spent serving nursing homes and local funeral homes. Shirley's connection with her clients was unmatched, and she took immense pride in her craft.

As young girls, Shirley and her sister Evelyn were picked up by their Sunday school teacher and taken to Paradise Prairie Baptist Church every Sunday to attend Sunday school while their brothers worked on the family farm. This early foundation in faith shaped Shirley’s lifelong devotion to her church and community.

Shirley was an active member of New Beginnings Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and embraced her love for country gospel music. She was also a familiar face at the Marion Senior Center, volunteering as a cashier with a warm smile for everyone she met. Shirley loved to dance and was a regular at the dance hall on Boulevard Street, where her joy for life was evident to all who saw her.

Shirley had a keen eye for fashion, particularly designer labels, and was known for finding the best bargains at Goodwill and Dollar Stores. In her younger years, she was an avid fisherman and loved hosting fish fries, where family and friends gathered to enjoy her delicious cooking. Shirley also treasured family reunions, held annually at her home, where she created lasting memories with those she loved most.

Shirley is survived by her son, Gary May and his wife Janice; her daughter, Connie Vernon and her husband Mark Triptow; her grandchildren, Jonathan May, Lisa May, and Jen Cuffe; and her great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Ella, and Weston Bates, and Tommy Cuffe.  She also leaves behind her beloved sister, Evelyn Peterson, and her longtime friend, Jim Lambert. Shirley was preceded in death by her two brothers, Raymond and Robert.

Shirley’s warmth, kindness, and love for life will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of love and laughter will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. A celebration of her life will be held at Binkley-Ross Funeral Home located at 1702 West Boulevard Street in Marion, on Saturday, August 24, 2024.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM.  Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in DuQuoin.  A mid- afternoon luncheon will be held at 2:30 PM at the Marion Senior Citizens Center in Marion, where her family invites all who knew her to come and share in remembering a life well-lived. Please RSVP to the funeral home at 618-997-7771.

Visit www.binkleyross.com to leave online condolences.