Shirley Faun Roberts

St. George, Utah - Shirley Faun Callahan Childers Roberts, age 91, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2024, surrounded by loving family members. Shirley was born on February 12, 1933, in Hurricane, Utah to Robert and Lapreal Callahan. She had six older siblings and then a younger brother. Shirley's mother passed away in childbirth when Shirley was three years old, and Shirley's great-uncle, Henry Callahan, became what Shirley called "the best mom" to the children as their father worked to provide for them. Shirley attended various elementary schools in Utah throughout her childhood, and finished at Woodward School in St. George.

She married Jaybe Childers on April 27, 1951 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They raised four children together and then divorced. She later married Thomas Ross Roberts on December 23, 1983.

Shirley's love of her family is undisputed. She worked hard to be the best mom she could to her children, then kept going with the grandchildren and onward as best she could keep up! Shirley was lovingly dubbed "Granny" from the time her first grandchild was born, and Granny is the name that is affectionately used by her entire family.

While raising her children, Shirley took sewing classes and then worked as a professional seamstress for many years, sought after in the area for her sewing skills. She also worked in St. George at Center Department store, Dixie Apparel, and Thunderbird Lodge. She and her friends held a sewing club for decades, children crawling under their feet.

Shirley shared her artistic and creative talents throughout her life. Later in her life she discovered her gifts for art and painting. Her paintings were displayed and sold in galleries in California, where she was a member of the Sierra Artists Club. She shared many beautiful pieces of art with her loved ones and friends.

Shirley was well-known for her thoughtful and beautiful gifts. Many of her loved ones cherish afghans, scarves, dolls, paintings, and other lovingly crafted items. Shirley's creations were always highly anticipated during the family reunions where they were auctioned off to raise hundreds of dollars to support the family functions.

Shirley was very involved in her church and community. She served a family history mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for 14 years (2004-2018), beginning at the St. George Regional Family History Training Center, which turned into the Family Search Library while she was serving. Shirley helped hundreds of people discover their ancestry through her own love of family history work. She also served many other callings in her church, from helping the young children in Primary to serving in the branch Relief Society presidency, Publicity representative for the Church in her stake in California, and serving as a baptistry worker in the St. George temple.

Shirley's active involvement in her community included being a 4-H leader, an officer in the Southern Utah Health Federation, a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and Daughters of the American Revolution, a leader in the TOPS organization, and a member of the Red Hat Society. Shirley spent many years as a volunteer, ushering at many venues and especially loved volunteering at Tuacahn, attending the plays there and sharing that with her friends and family.

Shirley lived with her son, Hank, and his family for eleven years, then went to stay with her niece, Stacey Callahan, for the last years of her life. Shirley and Stacey grew a tight bond as they supported and helped each other.

Shirley is survived by her children: Lonnie Mathews, Charlie (Tammy) Childers, Henry (Marisa) Childers, Lori Christiansen, and her 29 grandchildren, more than 65 great-grandchildren, and many great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings and their spouses except one sister-in-law, Ethel Callahan.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 12:00 noon at Spilsbury Mortuary located at 110 S. Bluff Street in St. George, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the same location. Following the services, interment will be held at St. George City Cemetery.

For those that would like to addend the service remotely, please visit the following link: Livestream Link

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Red Cliffs Health and Rehabilitation and Applegate Hospice for their excellent care of Shirley during her last weeks.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Shirley's online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.