Shirley Hannaford (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Shirley Marie (Coy) Hannaford, daughter of Avril Guy and Elsie Faye Beasley Coy, was born January 11, 1937 in Gainesville, Missouri and departed this life on March 20, 2017 in her home near Mansfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty years, two months and nine days.
On July 3, 1953 she was united in marriage to Billy Gene Hannaford and to this union four children were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bill, on May 20, 2000 and an infant sister, Polly Anne.
Shirley is survived by two daughters, Connie Kingery of Rogersville, Missouri, Tina Nichols and husband, John, of Mansfield, Missouri; two sons, David Hannaford and wife, Gail, of Seymour, Missouri, Bradley Hannaford and wife, Melany of Spring Dale, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Angela Wells, Chad Hannaford, Heath Hannaford, Christy Nichols, Emily Mahoney and husband, Shawn, and Emma Hannaford; eight great-grandchildren, Brandon Hannaford, Valerie Hannaford, Chase Young, Nate Wells, Clayton Hannaford, Hayden Hannaford, Heather Hoffman, and Donovan Hoffman, II; two sisters, Helen Nevill and husband, Larry, and Linda Hawkins; brother, Kenneth Coy; a number of nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.
She was born and raised in Gainesville and attended Gainesville High School. After she and Bill were married they made their home in Gainesville before moving to Mansfield in 1970. Shirley was a devoted wife and homemaker. From 2006 until 2012, she worked as a tour guide at the Laura Ingalls Wilder home and museum where she was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Shirley made a profession of faith in Christ at a young age and was a member of Mansfield First Baptist Church. She was always very involved in her church and had a deep love for Jesus Christ, which she shared with everyone she met.
Shirley was a superb seamstress and in her spare time she made many wedding, prom, and pageant dresses for her daughters and granddaughters and a host of many other items. She enjoyed working in her yard and most of all, cooking large dinners for her family on holidays and birthdays. No matter the time or circumstance, she would drop whatever she was doing and, help out with sickness, newborn family members, moves, or whatever she was needed for.
Shirley was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and will cherish the many great memories we had together. She loved us and we loved her, and we will miss her dearly.
What’s your fondest memory of Shirley?
What’s a lesson you learned from Shirley?
Share a story where Shirley's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Shirley you’ll never forget.
How did Shirley make you smile?
