Shirley Thornbury, 91, of Wolfforth, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026.

Viewing will be from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Englunds Chapel, followed by a Visitation, 6:00-7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be at 2:30 pm Friday, May 29, 2026 at Englunds Chapel. Interment will follow at Englewood Cemetery in Slaton. Arrangements are by Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton. 

Shirley Pate Thornbury was born to Gladys (Pate) and Bruce Wilkerson on 01/28/1935 in Quanah, Texas. After graduating from North Texas State University, she married her high school sweetheart, John Thornbury. They lived in Lubbock and moved to Slaton in 1963. During her teaching career, she taught Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades.  She loved children and animals. She took a break from work and later in life returned to work at the Caprock Santa Fe Credit Union in Slaton.  She enjoyed the customers and the detailed work of banking.

Shirley led a ladies Bible study after retiring from that position. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching and preparing the lessons for their group. The ladies were precious to her. In her last years at an assisted living home when she had dementia, at the breakfast table, she would ask for prayer requests or any sharing before they started their class.  The ladies there were gathered around the table for a meal. Shirley thought they were gathering for Bible study. She remained true to her love of others and her calling to edify and nurture them. Shirley was a member at Trinity Church in Lubbock for more than 50 years.

Shirley lived what she believed. She was kind and gracious to everyone. She was an example of the love of God in a way that others could emulate. What a gift to the world.

John passed in 2017, after 61 years of marriage. Her son, Mark, passed in 2025. She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen McCutchan, of Lubbock, deeply loved cousins who were like siblings to her, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

Thank you to the staff at Callander House in Wolfforth for the loving care in the last years of her life.

Donations in honor of her life may be made to Trinity Church Lubbock, The African Ministry Project, Kingdom Co-op, New Life Advance International, American Indian Benefit Alliance, or a charity of your choice.