Shirley (Brown) Devore

A very gracious and much-loved lady, Shirley Ann DeVore, of Carbondale, departed this world at 8:00 pm, April 02, 2022, destination Heaven. Shirley passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by mementos of her loved ones, with the soft gospel croons of her favorite singers Hank Williams and Patsy Cline playing in the background.

The daughter of Earl Jennings Brown and Bernice Lula Hileman, Shirley was born at her grandfather's home in Jonesboro October 21, 1937. She grew up in Jonesboro and married in her senior year of high school. Following graduation, Shirley began her life as a world traveler. Married three times, first to Kenny Smith, who served with the U.S. Airforce, and second to Charles Ballard, who served in the U.S Army, Shirley moved 19 times throughout those years, experiencing first-hand the sites and cultures of other lands such as Germany, Taiwan, Turkey and Panama just to name a few. Also accompanying Shirley throughout these travels was her "first child", her treasured Pekinese pup "Teddy".

Throughout those years, Shirley also proudly served her country as a Federal Civil Servant, rising through the ranks as her experience grew.  Shirley's last posting was at Fort Knox, Kentucky. There, she met her third and last husband, John DeVore, who she professed was "The love of her Life".  With John, Shirley enjoyed 29 happy years of marriage, dividing their time with each other, their church, and their "second child" pampered Pekinese "Dandy Doo".

Following John's death in 2015, Shirley relocated to Carbondale to be near family once again, dividing her time to between socializing, decorating her lovely home in the Liberty Village Retirement Community. her membership activities with the Carbondale Church of Christ, and favorite past-time, shopping!

In addition to her Liberty Village neighbors, especially Verelle, Mary, Sam, Beth, Carl and Patsy and her many community friends, Shirley is survived by her aunt, Martha Dillow; nephews, Steven St.Julian and Bart Hileman; and cousins, Sharon Kossmeyer, Delmer Diel, Joey and Gary Hileman; Larry Joe and Bob Davis; Debra Bauer and Kathy Eaves. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Donald "Jack" Hileman and cousins Wayne Diel, Jerry Lee Diel and Richard Davis.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 17th, 2022  at the Anna City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Hospice of Southern Illinois" or St. Francis Animal Shelter in Murphysboro. Envelopes will be available at the cemetery. Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements

Following the service, a "Celebration of Her Life" luncheon will be held for attendees at the nearby "Old Route 51 South BBQ Restaurant (formerly The Potato Barn}, 169 E. Vienna St., Anna. Please join us and share your fond memories of Shirley.