Shirley Saunders

Shirley Deane (Ballard) Saunders, 89, of Springfield, Mo. passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, surrounded by her family.

A loving and devoted mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Shirley always put her family first and made time for everyone. Her sweet spirit touched hearts and impacted lives – she was one-of-a-kind.

A devout Christian, she was a member of Union Hill Church of Christ in Nixa, Mo. Although health issues sometimes prevented her from attending service at the church, she faithfully attended Sunday service online.

Shirley was born to Herbert and Rachel (Gatlin) Ballard on Nov. 13, 1935, in the small town of Poyner. Named after Shirley Temple, she was the youngest of three children, and often shared stories about life on their farm before moving to Doniphan.

Her education began in a one-room schoolhouse taught by her mother. She graduated from Doniphan High School where she was an excellent student. Shirley attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. where she majored in English and met and married Thomas D. Saunders II.

After setting up residence in Lebanon, Mo., Shirley and Tom raised four girls who were the “lights of her life”. An excellent cook, she always made sure there was good food to eat and was well known for her delicious sausage dressing and Texas sheet cake brownies. When visiting, family and friends couldn’t wait to take a peek on top of the stove or in the oven. There was always something yummy waiting.

Equally impressive were Shirley’s many professional roles which included substitute teaching and acting co-concessioner (with Tom) of Bennett Spring State Park for eight years. Upon leaving the park, the Saunders family lived in Buffalo Mo. for several years until settling at the family farm in Phillipsburg.

A go-getter, Shirley re-entered the workforce with a vengeance as Executive Director of Missouri Ozark Community Action Agency (MOCA) headquartered in Richland, Mo. A natural-born leader, she managed hundreds of employees in eight counties while overseeing and implementing important program like Head Start, HUD, Weatherization, and Section 8 Housing. Through sheer determination, she earned her CACAP, worked tirelessly on behalf of children and families and even secured the necessary land and funding to build a new MOCA headquarters, still operating today. She was very proud of her 17-year career and upon retiring at age 71, she was presented the distinguished Charles Braithwaite Annual Community Action Leadership Award.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas D. Saunders II; parents, Herbert and Rachel (Gatlin) Ballard; brother-in-law Gene Harris; brother Max Ballard; sister-in-law Shirley (Hodo) Ballard.

She is survived by sister Pat (Ballard) Harris; daughters Susan (Saunders) Jackson (Paul), Sharon Saunders, Tomi (Saunders) Benedict and Trish (Saunders) Kugle (Don); grandsons John Jackson (Casey), Christopher Jackson (Claudia), Matt Saunders; two great-granddaughters; and two great-great-grandsons.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 3-5 p.m. at the Elks Lodge #409, 2223 East Bennett Street in Springfield.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield.