Shirley Diane Kroll
August 14, 1958 – June 1, 2018
Mrs. Shirley Diane Kroll, 59, of Richards, went home to be with her Lord and Savior while holding her husband’s hand on Friday, June 1, 2018 at the age of 59 after a long battle with cancer. A celebration of Shirley’s life will take place at a later date. Cremation services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers Bryan-College Station.
Shirley was born to D.E. and Mary Lou Shields on August 14, 1958 in Denison, TX. She attended Denison High School and played the clarinet in the band before graduating in 1976. She had the honor and blessing of raising a total of seven sons. She began driving a school bus in 1991 saying that if she was taking her own crew to school, she might as well get paid to do it. In the summer of 1995, her family relocated to Navasota, TX to begin her new job as general manager at the bus barn for Navasota Independent School District. She served the students and families in the community for 23 years while working for Durham Transportation, Durham School Services, First Student and Gold Star Transit.
Shirley was a long time member of Faith Outreach Christian Center, serving as a Sunday school teacher, children’s ministries volunteer, and leading the Celebrate Recovery Program. She led a faith-filled life centered on the joy of serving and giving to others. Her love of all things Christmas brought her family together each year to focus on spreading God’s love and joy. Her family will continue her legacy of big Christmas celebrations and serving others through donations made to battered women’s shelters.
In 2010, she married her best friend Jesse Kroll and built a home with him in Richards, TX. Together, they enjoyed life in the country surrounded by their many animals, including their two miniature donkeys, Seymour and Sebastian, five dogs, two horses, ducks, chickens, and cows. They also enjoyed spending time in the country with all of their grandkids.
Shirley is survived by her father, D.E. Shields; her husband, Jesse Kroll; her sons, Steven Schaefer and wife Mandy; Joshua Locke and wife Kristen; Jared Schaefer and wife Becky; Daniel Julian and wife Miranda; Matt Schaefer and wife Ali; Matt Julian and wife Lauren; Aaron Schaefer and wife Franchesca; and her eighteen grandchildren; Rose, Dean, Audra, Michael, Jonthan, Hunter, Joseph, Austin, Nathaniel, Riley, Emilee, Isaac, Zachariah, Robert, Jace, Jacob, Jemma and Jaden . Her mother, Mary Lou Shields and her sister, Darlene Ann Shields, precede her in death.
The family appreciates the loving care from Encompass Home Health, her favorite nurse, Tanya, and the church family from Faith Outreach Christian Center. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations made to Faith Outreach Christian Center in Navasota or to Phoebe’s Home in Bryan.
Sorry for your lost. Hurley was a wonderful lady. Prayers to all the family.
Jesse and Family, as well as her beloved employees, I am so sorry to hear about Shirley’s passing. I wish I had gotten to spend more time with her near the end of her time on Earth. Rather she knew it or not I loved her and appreciated everything that she did for me as her employee. She was my biggest cheerleader over the last couple years. I respected her for the fantastic job she did. No matter what she was going through, she always made me feel like I mattered at work. I am going to miss her very much, May God bless you all as much as Shirley blessed my life.
I am so sorry for you and your families loss. My prayers are with you all.
I have tried to contact Shirley for years. I am very sorry to hear she died. I knew Shirley since 7th grade. We played clarinets together. She was always fun. Prayers for her & her family.