Shirley Mae Gooch Musgrave was born February 10, 1945 in Lepanto, Arkansas to the late Alvin and Florence Gooch.

She passed away surrounded by her family on January 31, 2026 at the age of eighty years old.

Shirley married the love of her life, Leroy Musgrave on February 24, 1962 in Hayward, MO. They later renewed their vows at St. Eustachius Catholic Church. Together they built a family in Portageville, Missouri with their four children Joey, Daniel, Kimberly and Natelie.

Shirley and Leroy were vital parts of the community, owning and operating Leroy Oil Company and Shirley's Daycare.

Shirley loved her family and was a proud Nana to her grand children, Brittany Estes Richardson, Beau Estes, Kaitlyn Frazier, Logan Frazier, Jerra Cook, Christina Musgrave Hilburn and Kathy Musgrave; and Great Nana to Izabella, Elizabeth, Bentley, Scarlette and Lovelyn Frazier along with Raelynn Richardson, Christopher and Damian Hilburn, Christion and Corwin Boatwright and Jacob and Tyler Musgrave. Additionally, she was an "adopted mom" to many of her daycare children over the years. Although the kids may have outgrown daycare, they all remembered Mrs. Shirley and would greet her anytime they crossed paths.

Shirley, a natural woman of class, enjoyed getting dressed up and cherished time with family and friends. She also had a passion for decorating, often spontaneously painting a room or deciding to rearrange the furniture while the kids were at school. She appreciated a perfect yard, spending many hours outdoors cutting the grass and tending to her flowers. When not at home, she enjoyed spending her summers at Castor River camping with her family and friends.

Shirley was a proud and active member of St. Eustachius Catholic Church, serving in many roles over the years.

Shirley would be the first to tell you that animals didn't belong in her house. However, after the passing of Leroy, her love of dogs changed as Happy quickly became her new best friend. There was almost no where she went that Happy didn't go as well.

Later in life, Shirley enjoyed spending time with her long-time companion, Jerry Preslar, and keeping Happy right by her side.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Florence, husband Leroy, sons Daniel and Joey, great-granddaughter Scarlette Frazier, sisters Barbara May, Sue Wilson, Alice Burton, Lawanda Bowen, and Margie Love and brothers Gene, Johnny and Don Wayne Gooch; and her beloved dog Happy.

Shirley leaves to cherish her memories her daughters Kimberly (Timmy) Estes of Marble Hill, Missouri and Natelie (Keith) Cook of Burfordville, Missouri; companion Jerry Preslar;  "adopted children" Kayla (Zach) Schmitt of Richboro, Pennsylvania and Clint Klipfel of Portageville; sisters Rose Musgrave of Gordonville, Missouri and Carolyn Lawrence of Paris, Texas; brothers-in-law Ernie Musgrave of House Springs, Stephen (Sarah) Musgrave of Gideon, Missouri, David (Elaine) Musgrave of Portageville and James (Lisa) Musgrave of Portageville; sisters-in-law Barbara (Ronnie) Probst of Jackson, Missouri, Sandra Froman of Zalma, MIssouri, Eve Powell of Foley, Alabama, Janie (Thomas) Fornkohl of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Pat Biri of Jackson, Missouri, Venita Noah of Shawneetown, Missouri and Martha Musgrave of Wardell, Missouri; daughter-in-law Ruthie Musgrave of Steele, Missouri and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family wishes to thank you all for your prayers and support during this time as well as in the last few years.  May God continue to bless each one of you.

Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, February 5, 2026 at St. Eustachius Catholic Church with internment following at Portageville Cemetery.

The Family requests any donations be made to St. Eustachius Catholic Church or the Alzheimer's Association