Obituary of Shirley May Maples

Shirley May Maples, 82, was born on May 5, 1939, in Tarrs, Pennsylvania to Robert and Helen Lowstetter. She passed away Saturday, April 23, 2022. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Helen Lowstetter, her sister Patty, and loving husband of 52 years, Thomas Everett Maples. She is survived by her sons Thomas Everett Maples Jr. and wife, Yvonne; Todd Everett Maples and wife, Annemarie; Tobin Everett Maples and wife, Heather; brothers Robert Duaine Lowstetter and wife, Nancy; Richard Gale Lowstetter and wife, Janet; sister Sondra Hall; grandchildren Haiden, Tait, Teag, Brandon, Zane, and Tai Maples; and a host of other family and friends. Shirley’s grandchildren affectionately knew her as “Grandma” which she loved dearly. Shirley earned an R.N. degree from the University of Pittsburgh and moved to Texas in 1961. Shirley enjoyed a successful 30+ year career as a Registered Nurse. She began her career at Methodist Hospital in downtown Houston, where she met a nursing colleague who would later become her Mother-in-Law, when she introduced her son. She retired from Memorial City Hospital. Following her servant heart, Shirley always worked the night shift so she would be available for her children during the day. Shirley was strong in her faith, loved the Lord, and was proud to serve her country for 20 years as the spouse of a United States Army Officer and Vietnam Veteran. She was active in her church and the United Methodist Women (UMW) most of her life. Following her retirement from nursing, Shirley served the Almeda United Methodist Church and the First United Methodist Church of Pearland. As an officer for the UMW for many years, Shirley attended multiple finance and leadership committee events at the Lakeview Methodist Conference Center. Shirley was extremely nurturing and loved her family dearly. She took care of her mother and later mother-in-law, in her home, until their passing. Shirley was an avid golfer and lived on a golf course. She and her late husband enjoyed many happy times together golfing with family and friends. She was a tremendous fan of baseball and always found joy in cheering for her beloved Astros. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A visitation for Shirley will be held Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 3:00 until 5:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581. The funeral service will take place, Monday, May 2, 2022 at 10:30 am at the funeral home with Rev. Wendy Heinemann officiating. Interment will take place at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas. The gate time for interment will be 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to MD Anderson Cancer Hospital would be appreciated.