YOU JUST NEVER KNOW!

 Shirley outside the Belmont Historical House where she volunteered.

“One never knows, does one?” That is a quote used often by my oldest brother. Shirley and I would repeat it often......  Since her passing I am learning more and more how true that statement is.

(She would always laugh at this picture, sister Kat had fixed her hair like a grown up, BTW like Sean of the South, she was originally a redhead)

I talked to a man a couple days ago who said, “Jack I did not know the ‘Songbird’ was your sister. She could stir me with that voice!"

Again, I may be repeating, but the ass’t manager of Roses told me she often paid customers’ bills when it was obvious they needed the help.

I am hearing many stories I did not know. First of all let me explain, Shirl did have some savings from the sale of her home  11 years ago.  She leased from us at a deep discount. BUT her total income was about $1400 a month and she went into her savings  $500+ a month.  That said, I just received this e-mail from Grandson Josh. I did not know this story:

e-mail from Josh.

Subject: About Aunt Shirley

I was reading today's blog post with stories about Aunt Shirley's life.  It reminded me of one.  You probably know this already, but thought I'd share in case you didn't.

When I was in college, Shirley called me one day and said, "Could you meet me down at the bank?" I really wasn't sure what it was all about, but I met her at the Wachovia (now Wells Fargo) in downtown Belmont.  She knew everyone in there, knew the bankers and tellers by name.  I felt like I was walking in with a celebrity, the way she smiled and shook people's hands and asked about them and their families.  

We walked up to the counter, and she asked the woman working there to transfer $2,000 to my account!

This was a phenomenal amount of money to me, as a college student who only had a part time job.  Heck, it's still a big chunk of change!

The reason for the gift still makes me laugh.  

You and Grandma had bought Steve a computer for college.  I had a received extra financial aid beyond the cost of tuition and fees, and used that to buy a computer, so I didn't need one.  For whatever reason, Aunt Shirley wanted to "balance the scales" among the twins anyway ☺

As it turned out, I was able to use that money to help with other expenses - textbooks, parking passes, etc.  So it really was a great help.

Anyway.  I just thought I'd share an example, one of many I'm sure, of Shirley's love and (sometimes eccentric 😜) generosity.

Love you both, Josh

No Josh, we did not know this one either. Thanks! 
Of course Sherry and I again knew more tears.

Nite Shipslog

 Jim & Shirley were Studebaker fans. Shirley drove one like this to work for years.